AGY expanding Aiken glass fiber plant with $12.1M investment

An Aiken manufacturer and supplier of high-performance glass fiber materials is undertaking a $12.1 million expansion that it says will create 80 new jobs.

AGY is an innovator and manufacturer of specialty glass fiber reinforcements, enabling high-performance composite solutions for aviation, defense, electronics, architecture and telecommunications applications that are integral to civilian life and critical to the national security supply chain, according to a news release.

Located at 2556 Wagener Road in Aiken, AGY is expanding the manufacturing capacity of its low-dielectric constant (Low Dk) and low-dissipation factor (Low Df) glass fibers, which are used to enhance the performance, reliance and durability of semiconductor packaging, high-performance printed circuit boards, electronic systems and high-speed telecommunications equipment.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming how the world operates, and we are proud that AGY in Aiken … stands as a leader in America’s manufacturing capability for AI technologies,” CEO Al Ridilla said in a news release.”

Operations are expected to be online in the first quarter of 2026 and the company is already hiring.

“This expansion is a tremendous win for Aiken County, our industrial workforce and for AGY,” Aikey County Council Chairman Gary Bunker said in the release. “An investment of this scale reflects AGY’s confidence in our community and affirms Aiken County’s pro-growth, pro-manufacturing policies. AGY has long been a strong corporate neighbor and a key industrial asset for both Aiken County and our nation. The advanced glass fibers produced here support our economy, strengthen critical industries and contribute to our national defense.”

AGY’s products are shipped to customers in the United States and exported to Asia, Europe and South America, according to the company website. It is the only U.S. producer of high-performing glass fiber. The company has been in Aiken for 62 years and 10% of its workforce has been on the roster for 25 years or more. They make 400 million miles of glass fiber annually, according to the company website.

“AGY’s continued investment in Aiken County is a testament of our community, our workforce and the innovative spirit that drives this region,” Western SC Economic Development Partnership Chairman Gary Stooksbury said in the release. “As the only domestic supplier of these critical glass fiber products, AGY plays a vital role in supporting our nation’s advanced manufacturing and technology industries. We’re proud to see their growth continue right here in Aiken County, where they’ve been a valued corporate partner for more than 60 years.”

The South Carolina Commerce Department’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to Aiken County to assist with the costs of building renovations.

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