Aerial Options announces new investment, jobs at its Mullins facility

Aerial Options, based in Mullins, S.C., announced an expansion this week which will include additional employees and a significant capital investment.

The company currently employees 13 workers and serves as the largest exporter of telescopic waterways used in aerial fire trucks in the world.

Currently, Aerial Options serves customers in the United States, Japan, Russia, South Korea, China and throughout Europe.

The company was founded in 2007 in Mullins and has seen its projected sales grow at a rate of five to ten percent over the past three years.

Vernon J. Wissler, the CEO of Aerial Options, said the investment is not just good business for his company, but for Marion County as well.

Our investment in our Mullins location shows that were dedicated to the people of Marion County, Wissler said. It's a testament to the great business environment here and the great things we can accomplish together.
Marion County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Julie Norman said the announcement is a great boon for Marion County and shows the room for growth the county presents.

For a company such as Aerial Options one of the world's top manufacturers of telescopic waterways to make the sort of investment they have, says a lot about what Marion County has to offer, Norman said. We have a great deal to offer and were ecstatic to have Aerial Options in Marion County.

The expansion marks a sea change for Marion County, as many economic and employment metrics have trended upwards in the past six months. Since February of 2013, the county has seen a dramatic seven percent decrease in its unemployment rate.

Sen. J. Yancey McGill, chairman of the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) executive committee, said he feels the expansion points to an even greater renaissance across the region.

Weve seen some great improvements over the past few months and today's announcement simply reinforces some of the reasons why we feel so optimistic about our region, McGill said. Aerial Options is a great company and their investment in our region gives us reason to be even more hopeful for the future.

South Carolina State Senator Kent Williams, a member of the NESA Executive Committee said today's announcement shows that the county has the ability to host not only a successful business, but one of the world's top businesses in its sector.

Nearly every fire truck you see, across the United States and in other countries, has an element on it that was created in Mullins, Williams said. If that doesnt show that Marion County is able to participate and win the global economy, Im not sure what will.