Haier has developed a new, 25-cubic-foot, three-drawer refrigerator/freezer that offers a flexible storage drawer. This drawer has an internal volume of 4.6 cubic feet and can easily convert from refrigerator to freezer in the touch of a button.

And to get the product up and running, Haier is investing $6 million in equipment at its facility in Steeplechase Industrial Park. In addition, the company will hire 128 new workers to staff the new product line. The company expects to start hiring for the new expansion later this month and will start taking applications through the Camden OneStop office.

"The launch of this new high-end product is the first for the American market," David Parks, Haier president, said Thursday. "We have several patented designs on this product and received very strong interest when it was recently unveiled at the International Home Builders Show in Orlando earlier this month."

The company has also launched a national advertising campaign as a part of Haier's official partnership with the National Basketball Association, Parks said. The agreement was signed last year in Camden at a special ceremony attended by Haier executives, representatives of the U.S. and Chinese government and the Commissioner of the NBA, he said.

This expansion represents the first phase of the $100 million, 1,000-job long-range plans announced by Haier last year during Vice Premier Wu Yi's visit to Camden.

"This announcement is further evidence that our efforts to improve the economic soil conditions for business are paying dividends in terms of job creation and capital investment," Gov. Mark Sanford said. "It is also particularly significant to note that these efforts are clearly enhancing our ability to compete in an ever-growing global economy."

S.C. Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor noted that South Carolina's relationship with China continues to grow and produce opportunities for the state.

"China is purchasing more goods from South Carolina than ever before and Haier is another example of our mutually beneficial relationship," Taylor said. "Today's announcement demonstrates Haier's long-term commitment to our state. Our quality workforce, business-friendly climate, and access to markets make the Palmetto state a great place to live and work."

Kershaw County Council Chairman Steve S. Kelly Jr. said he is very pleased at this latest development.

"From the very beginning, Haier has been a valued corporate citizen in Kershaw County, and this announcement just solidifies that relationship," Kelly said. "Haier's expansion is a wonderful way to begin the year, and we look forward to more positive news as the company continues to grow its Camden campus. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship."

Haier Group was formed in 1984 in Qingdao, China. With facilities in 16 countries, Haier Group's average annual growth rate was 68 percent between 1985 and 2005. Haier employs more than 50,000 full-time workers globally.