COLUMBIA, S.C. — WiJo Pouches North America, Inc. (WiJo Pouches NA), a global manufacturer of next-generation oral pouches, has selected Lexington County as the location of its first North American manufacturing operation. The company will invest $13.5 million and create 170 new jobs, marking a significant international win for South Carolina’s fast-growing advanced manufacturing sector.
Headquartered in Sweden, WiJo Pouches NA specializes in premium-quality nicotine, caffeine and functional pouches, offering customers a full-service suite that includes prototyping, scalable production and market compliance support. The company will lease a 55,000-square-foot facility at 381 Burton Road in Lexington, where it will provide contract manufacturing for a rapidly expanding global market. Operations are scheduled to begin in March 2026.
WiJo Pouches NA CEO Jerry Sweetland said the company’s decision was rooted in South Carolina’s established reputation for welcoming international manufacturers. “As a long-standing member of the South Carolina business community for more than 25 years, I am honored to lead WiJo Pouches NA here in the Midlands,” Sweetland said. “We sincerely appreciate the support and partnership of the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Lexington County Economic Development, whose guidance made selecting Lexington the clear and strategic choice. We look forward to the future, to WiJo’s continued growth, and to being a valued and collaborative contributor to the regional business community.”
Governor Henry McMaster celebrated the announcement, noting that WiJo’s investment reinforces the state’s global reputation for advanced manufacturing. “Welcoming another international manufacturer to South Carolina further strengthens our thriving business community,” he said. “WiJo Pouches NA’s new facility, along with the 170 new jobs it creates in Lexington County, will provide opportunities that greatly benefit our state and people for years to come.”
Central SC Alliance President & CEO Jason Giuletti noted that the region’s competitive advantages played a key role in attracting the project. “WiJo Pouches NA’s decision to establish its first North American manufacturing operation in Lexington County reflects the strength of the central South Carolina region,” he said. “Our skilled workforce, strong infrastructure and exceptional quality of life make this area a top destination for globally minded companies. Through our cost-benefit analysis and detailed wage and labor report, we demonstrated that Central SC offers the key advantages businesses need to succeed, and WiJo Pouches chose the right place to grow.”
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits to support the project.
Individuals interested in joining the WiJo Pouches NA team can learn more by visiting the company’s website.
