Current News Releases
Nov. 8, 2007
Loccioni Group to locate first U.S. operations in Innovista
The University of South Carolina, S.C. Department of Commerce and the Central S.C. Alliance announced Thursday (Nov. 8) that the Loccioni Group will locate its first North American office in the university’s new Innovista research district.
The office will include a purchasing and operations component, employing several people initially with growth potential in research and development.
Based in Italy, Loccioni Group provides engineering services in measurement and testing for measurement systems, quality control, automation, ICT and service. Areas benefitting from these specialized services include automotive, household appliances, environment, energy-saving, agriculture and food, health, manufacturing and public administration.
The company was recruited for Innovista through the efforts of the University, the Commerce Department and the Central S.C. Alliance. The Loccioni Group will locate initially in the University of South Carolina-City of Columbia Technology Incubator.
“Innovista is the ideal site for the launch of our new business,” said Konrad Censi, North America Director of Operations, Loccioni Group. “It offers a motivated and established business atmosphere for a startup company. The location is perfect, central to the state and in an area which is growing up extremely fast."
“The Loccioni Group is our first internationally based company to become part of Innovista, and we’re honored that they chose to set up their first North American operations here,” said Harris Pastides, vice president for research and health sciences at the university. “They’re one of the most respected companies in Italy, and their product, expertise and services in healthcare, research, engineering, energy, and other areas match up well with the University of South Carolina’s core research, education and commercialization strengths. Our students and faculty experts and the Loccioni Group will mutually benefit from the experiences and collaborations that will occur.”
Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor said, “The Loccioni Group provides specialized engineering services with a unique approach to implement cutting-edge technology by partnering with university and research institutions. As we diversify the state's economy, South Carolina’s strengths are working to positively enhance those efforts. Loccioni is a welcomed addition to the state's business community.”
“The Loccioni Group is a great addition to Innovista and joins an impressive list of international companies doing business here in central South Carolina,” said Central S.C. Alliance Chairman George Bullwinkel, Jr. “Today, there are over 100 foreign-affiliated companies representing 19 countries. The alliance works closely with the University of South Carolina on economic development-related activities and has partnered with the Innovista team on identifying companies that match up with the core competencies offered by the university."
Loccioni Group has been awarded Best Workplaces in Italy for the past seven years. The company can be defined as a “technological couture-house” working in synergy with universities and research centers to develop and implement high-technology content “all inclusive” systems for manufactured goods, various services and public administration. The group is based in the center of Italy in the Marche region between the Appennini Mountains and the Adriatic Coast.
