Gallo opens first phase of South Carolina plant. It’s hiring at Modesto home, too

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster talked about all that comes with the new Gallo Operations Facility in Fort Lawn.

“This is a great thing,” McMaster said. “This offers careers, long-term employment with good benefits and good work in a great company. This was a great step forward, not only for the state but for this area.”

McMaster and Ernest Gallo, the CEO of the Modesto-based E.&J. Gallo Winery, were in Chester County for the Oct. 7 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Gallo is the grandson and namesake of the co-founder in 1933 of what is now the world’s largest wine producer.

The new plant could add close to 500 people to the Gallo workforce of about 6,500. It has operations in the San Joaquin Valley, in coastal regions of California and in the states of Washington and New York. The company also imports wine from several nations and produces or distributes several types of liquor.

Modesto has 59 openings

Gallo has said the South Carolina branch will not mean loss of jobs elsewhere. And in fact, its website listed 59 openings at the Yosemite Boulevard headquarters as of Wednesday.

Construction of the regional distribution facility in Fort Lawn started in June 2021, and there was a push to get it ready by the projected date of Oct. 3. However, company officials said this is just the first phase en route to a long and successful partnership with South Carolina.

“It feels fantastic,” said Stein Edwards, Gallo’s senior director of operations in South Carolina. “This community has been very welcoming, bringing us in. They welcomed us with open arms.

“A lot of our folks that we’ve hired are from this very local area. And they’ve been watching this project for several years, and a lot of them said, ‘Hey, we can’t wait to get started, and we’re so happy what you’re doing for the community.’ So it’s really neat to be a part of.”

Manufacturing in 2023

Gallo officials said they expect to add manufacturing lines in 2023 as they begin production and making further investments in the state.

Brooke Clinton, president of the Chester County Chamber of Commerce, said the facility will have an impact on the local area both now and in the future.

There are about 80 people working at the site, and Gallo is adding employees.

“We’re training the folks right now,” said Erich Kaepp, the vice president of eastern operations at Gallo. “We’re going through a new warehouse management system, so they’re learning how to do all those kinds of things and get ready to ship. We’ve successfully gotten eight trucks so far. We’ve gotten them all received, so it seems to be going okay, so far.”

The company cited access to the Southeast market and South Carolina’s infrastructure as reasons for choosing its East Coast operations location.

McMaster said there will be more business opportunities coming to the state. He said the people and culture are what draw companies here.

Modesto Bee staff writer John Holland contributed to this report.