GX manufacturing and site expansion in the USA

Welcome to Dorchester County: We are currently expanding our American site, as production of the GX smoke curtain – designed specifically for the US market – has been relocated from Germany to the United States.

Since 1998, STÖBICH has been serving the North American market from its site in ➥ North Charleston, South Carolina. Now, the US subsidiary of the German company Stöbich Brandschutz GmbH has invested several million US dollars in expanding its site in Dorchester County in order to strengthen its presence in the US market. The investment is expected to create numerous new jobs in the long term.

What makes the ➥ Smoke Curtain GX so special?

In the event of a fire, a lift shaft acts like a chimney and spreads smoke to the various floors through leaky lift shaft doors. Although lift doors in America are fitted with a fire protection mechanism, they do not provide smoke protection. According to the IBC (International Building Code), all buildings (residential or commercial) with four storeys or more must have a smoke protection system installed on their lifts; at the same time, escape routes must be kept clear. The Smoke Curtain GX meets both requirements: ensuring exit and access in the event of a fire, as well as fail-safe closure even in the event of a power cut. Furthermore, the system can be integrated into the building almost invisibly.

The relocation of GX production from its previous site in Goslar to North Charleston took several months, during which STÖBICH employees from Germany and the USA worked closely together. For example, a production worker from Goslar flew to the USA to train her American colleagues in GX production. Production is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

Alexander Dolipski, spokesperson for the management board, explains: “The US market is a key component of STÖBICH’s long-term growth strategy, and we see considerable potential here for further expanding our presence. We are very pleased with the strong support and the positive business environment we have found in South Carolina. This provides an excellent foundation for strengthening our local operations, expanding our production capacity and creating new jobs in the region.”