On Wednesday, August 6, Honda South Carolina Manufacturing (SCM) marked a historic occasion when the 500,000th Honda side-by-side rolled off the Timmonsville, South Carolina, plant’s assembly line. Throughout the plant’s 27-year history, SCM has invested a total of over $460 million in its operations, and its associates have proudly produced more than 3.8 million powersports products.
“I’m extremely proud of our team in Timmonsville,” said Travis Lee, SCM site lead. “Their work and ongoing commitment and passion for our business and customers are the reason we’ve achieved this impressive milestone and many others over the years. No matter where our associates are in their careers at SCM, they are a part of our success, and I appreciate their continued efforts and teamwork.”
SCM began production of the Honda Foreman 400 ATV in 1998 and added ATV engine production in 2000, Honda AquaTrax™ personal watercraft in 2003 and side-by-side vehicle production in 2013. Today, the 950,000-square-foot plant is the exclusive global production home of all Honda side-by-side vehicles, including the Pioneer multipurpose series and the Talon sport family. (All Honda ATVs are now produced in Swepsonville, North Carolina).
To commemorate this latest milestone, SCM associates gathered at the end of the line as the half-millionth side-by-side vehicle—a Pioneer 1000—was driven off the ramp by 24-year veteran Honda associate Glascow Montgomery. Montgomery started in machining at SCM in 2001. While he says he has lost count of how many side-by-sides he has personally driven off the line over the years, his focus has always been and continues to be on the quality of the units.
“I want to make sure these units are perfect for our customers,” Montgomery said. “When the unit makes its way to me, I’m listening to the engine, testing the steering wheel and checking the lights — it’s important to me that we do things right.”
