FOMAS Inc. is investing $5 million to expand and modernize its heavy industrial factory in York County, signaling continued growth in one of the region’s key industrial sectors. The project is already underway and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
The expansion includes a building addition, increased machining capacity, furnace renovations, and new infrastructure improvements. Company leaders say the upgrades will improve efficiency, increase production capacity, and allow the facility to handle more complex industrial components.
“This investment represents both expansion and transformation,” said Diego Bonardi, Managing Director of FOMAS Inc. in a press release. “We are strengthening our machining and heat-treatment capabilities while preparing our York facility to support greater market diversification and future growth opportunities.”
FOMAS manufactures seamless rolled rings and precision-machined parts used in high-performance applications in a factory just north of downtown York (500 Wallace Way, York, SC). The upgrades will enhance heat-treatment systems and machining technologies, helping the company meet evolving industry standards and reduce production timelines.
The investment is also expected to create new skilled jobs in engineering, machining, and production support, adding to York County’s growing manufacturing base. Company officials describe the project as the first step in a broader long-term investment strategy in the region.
While the expansion highlights economic momentum, the site also carries a documented environmental history. State records show past groundwater contamination linked to earlier industrial operations at the property.
Testing identified trichloroethylene (TCE), a solvent historically used in metalworking, at levels above federal standards. Additional evaluations included petroleum-related compounds, metals, and other volatile substances.
Cleanup efforts have been ongoing through South Carolina’s voluntary cleanup program. In 2020, remediation crews injected treatment materials into dozens of wells to break down contaminants in groundwater.
Earlier site investigations also pointed to areas such as oil handling zones, burn areas, and cooling system locations where contaminated soil had been removed.
Experts say the primary concern in cases like this is groundwater movement and potential vapor intrusion into nearby structures. TCE is a volatile compound that can migrate from soil or groundwater into indoor air under certain conditions.
Health agencies have linked long-term exposure to TCE with increased cancer risks and other health concerns. However, available public records do not indicate an active emergency tied to the site today.
For York County, the expansion represents both opportunity and oversight. The project brings new jobs and investment while keeping attention on environmental monitoring as the facility continues to grow.
