Milo's Tea Company expands operations with $200 million facility in South Carolina

In a significant move for the American manufacturing sector, Milo's Tea Company, a family-owned beverage company based in Alabama, recently opened a new $200 million manufacturing and distribution facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This facility marked the company's fourth major site and was initiated to meet the rising customer demand for their iced tea and lemonade products. Founded in 1946 by Milo and Bea Carlton, the company began its journey with a single plant in Bessemer, Alabama. Over the years, the business experienced rapid growth, necessitating multiple expansions to meet the increasing market demands. The first facility opened in 2002, but the company quickly realized it outgrew this space, leading to the establishment of its second facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma in early 2020. The expansion to Tulsa not only doubled the production capacity of the company but also tripled the employment opportunities available. Milo's Tea continued its expansion trend in 2021 when it took over a previously closed dairy facility. Now, with the opening of the South Carolina facility, the company anticipates employing over 200 workers once operations are at full capacity. This strategic growth is aligned with larger market trends as many businesses in the U.S. aim to bolster domestic manufacturing in response to consumer demand. The new facility's establishment is part of a broader commitment by Walmart, which provides support and backing to Milo's Tea Company. This is part of Walmart's $350 billion initiative announced in 2021, which focuses on investing in American-made products over a decade. Such investments reflect Walmart's strategy to meet consumer expectations and enhance domestic production while maintaining low prices through efficient supply chain management. Walmart's efforts also include annual events like the Open Call, where potential suppliers can connect with the company's buyers to foster local manufacturing growth. As the market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these initiatives will further influence the dynamics of American manufacturing and employment.