Techo-Bloc, a Canadian leader in innovative hardscape products, announced on April 29, 2025, a $45 million investment to establish its first South Carolina manufacturing facility on Dixiana Road in Cayce, Lexington County, with operations set to begin in fall 2026. The 200,000-square-foot plant will produce concrete pavers, retaining walls, and masonry products for landscaping, creating 46 jobs and contributing to Cayce’s 10,000-strong manufacturing workforce. The facility, supported by a $1 million grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, expands Techo-Bloc’s U.S. footprint, complementing plants in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, and targets a $5 billion hardscape market driven by demand for sustainable outdoor solutions. CEO Charles Ciccarello noted the strategic location “enhances our ability to deliver high-quality products quickly,” leveraging proximity to I-77 and the Port of Charleston. The project aligns with a 15% rise in U.S. landscaping demand since 2023 and supports reshoring efforts amid President Trump’s 10% global tariffs, bolstering local supply chains for construction and retail sectors.

For the precision machining industry, Techo-Bloc’s facility underscores the critical role of feed rate in hardscape manufacturing. Producing molds and dies for concrete pavers requires CNC milling with optimized feed rates, typically 50–200 inches per minute (IPM), to balance material removal and tool life for high-strength steel. 5-axis milling machines, programmed with precise feed rates and spindle speeds, ensure dimensional accuracy within ±0.002 inches, supporting automated production lines with real-time quality control. The facility’s output drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling optimization and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this project creates opportunities for suppliers in South Carolina, where manufacturing jobs have grown 2% since 2022, strengthening supply chains for construction materials.

Source:

Wis10

Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is abuzz with Techo-Bloc’s Cayce facility, with posts on May 18, 2025, calling it a “win” for South Carolina. Users praised the 46 jobs, with one noting “Cayce’s hardscape game is strong,” while another tied it to “reshoring manufacturing.” The excitement reflects optimism for economic growth and sustainable construction.

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