From staff reports

Century Custom Molding Inc., a plastic-molding manufacturer, is starting a new operation in Beresford.

The business is a wholly owned subsidiary of Com Century Industries Co. Ltd., which was founded by Chinese businessman Bill Zhang.

“This is a unique opportunity for both Beresford and Century Custom Molding alike,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said. “Bill made the right decision to expand in Beresford, and it’s my pleasure to welcome his company as one of South Dakota’s newest corporate citizens.”

Bramec Corp., headquartered in North Sioux City, has been a customer of Com-Century for more than 10 years. Kyle Hinseth, president of Bramec, and Zhang said that locating Zhang’s new manufacturing facility in Beresford will help both companies realize logistics savings. In addition, Zhang said he’ll be able to purchase new equipment that will process different materials, which will improve current products already in the marketplace.

“This new facility will allow me to compete in more markets stateside and abroad,” Zhang said. “Bersford and South Dakota have already demonstrated to me they are pro-business. I am looking forward to a long-lasting relationship.”

The Board of Economic Development approved a $520,000 loan to the company earlier this month to help with fixed-asset financing, which included the acquisition of a 20,000-square-foot facility in Beresford’s industrial park.

“This is an example of excellent timing,” said Jim Fedderson, mayor of Beresford. “Things came together quickly and seamlessly, and we couldn’t be more excited to have Bill here. Beresford has had a lot to celebrate in the last few years, and I’m thrilled to announce that this is just the latest.”

Zhang said renovations are already underway, and that the facility will be fully operational by July 2018.