Courtesy of the Fort Worth Chamber
Good news blew in from the shores of South Africa on Wednesday with SmartCap’s announcement that it planned to expand operations into Fort Worth, creating more than 250 full-time jobs, according to the Fort Worth Chamber.
The facility is a 391,000-square foot-manufacturing plant at Carter Distribution Center in south Fort Worth. Company officials say that the project has a proposed capital investment of $55 million. Moreover, SmartCap’s development commitment with the city of Fort Worth requires that the company spend 15% of hard and soft construction costs with certified minority-owned business contractors.
“Our Economic Development team worked closely with SmartCap to help navigate development services, permitting, and city council approval,” Sara Thurber, vice president of economic development for the Fort Worth Chamber, said in a statement. “We’re excited to share this announcement with the community and to officially welcome SmartCap to Fort Worth.”
SmartCap, based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, manufactures truck canopies, bed replacement systems, and cargo management accessories. The company was founded in 2007 and is rapidly expanding its presence and market share in the U.S.
"SmartCap will add another innovative, vehicle-focused company to our city's flourishing industrial environment, while bringing more new jobs to southeast Fort Worth,” said Robert Sturns, economic development director for the city.