Established in 1988 by Rick and Valerie Sawin as Charleston’s Rigging and Marine Hardware, firm has played significant roles in supplying products to support the construction of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, raising The Hunley, and now transitions to the next generation.
Jessica Sage, Chief Financial Officer and Skip Sawin, Chief Operating Officer for Charleston’s Rigging and Carolina’s Rigging announce the purchase of the corporation from Rick and Valerie Sawin, founders of the firm. Established in Charleston in 1988, the company which employs just shy of 50 people and is a key supplier for maritime and commercial construction, maritime shipping, stevedores, port related activity, and both light and heavy industry in the areas of South Carolina, Georgia; and North Carolina. The firm has two additional branch offices in Columbia, S.C. and Augusta, Ga.
With approximate yearly sales of more than 10 million dollars, Charleston Rigging and Carolina’s Rigging also has a field service division that provides repair, inspection and installation of overhead material handling products. They are purveyors of mill and industrial supplies to local steel mills, power generating stations and other manufacturers. Additionally the firm specializes in stock and custom fabrication of material handling slings and devices for overhead lifting.
Skip Sawin said of the changeover, “It’s been a very easy transition, especially since Jess and I grew up in the business. Our family has been centered around this business since it’s inception. Both of us worked here and in diverse capacities over the years. We’ve learned the business by being part of it. We know and understand the culture our parents created and are continuing it under our management.” Jessica Sage adds, “We honor the work our parents did to establish the company and will endeavor to be wise custodians of the company’s legacy while sustaining a vision for the future.”
Notable in the company’s history is the role it played in the raising of the Confederate submarine, The Hunley, by fabricating the slings to cradle the sub and her truss/support system. In more recent times Charleston Rigging’s supplied materials to construction projects like Charleston's Arthur Ravenel Bridge and aerospace and utilities companies.