If there’s such a thing as a dream partnership, readySC and E.A. Sween may just be it.

Since the ready-to-eat sandwich company expanded to South Carolina in early 2022, its journey has been marked by steady progress. Even the occasional hiccup has been met with ingenuity, adaptability, and an all-hands-on-deck attitude, leading to continuous progress and partnerships that exceeded expectations.

Selling Point: The Flex Space

The synergy between readySC, South Carolina’s signature workforce training program, and E.A. Sween ignited the moment the company realized the Flex Space could serve as both a classroom and a hands-on training site. Located at Piedmont Technical College’s William H. “Billy” O’Dell Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence, the Flex Space’s versatile, industry-ready environment was a game-changer for E.A. Sween – and set the tone for a dynamic partnership with readySC.

“To have [the Flex Space] available was just a huge benefit for us. That was our biggest ‘aha!’ moment.”
— Amanda Hamby, Senior HR Business Partner, E.A. Sween – SC

 

“You could see the wheels turning,” said readySC Area Director Susan Heath, as she described the Flex Space’s amenities to the E.A. Sween leadership team. “When we left that meeting, I was confident that they would want to utilize that space.”

 

That intuition proved spot-on.

 

“We were offered a space to set up our equipment for an extended period of time – at no cost, with no catch,” recalled Amanda Hamby, Senior Human Resources Business Partner with E.A. Sween – SC. “To have that space available was just a huge benefit for us. That was our biggest ‘aha!’ moment.”

 

Shortly thereafter, E.A. Sween transported its manufacturing equipment to the Flex Space from its Minnesota headquarters to train maintenance workers from both locations. Meanwhile, readySC geared up to train 300 E.A. Sween workers over the next three years.

A Seamless Discovery Trip

To gain a deep understanding of E.A. Sween’s operations, culture, and workforce needs, a small readySC team ventured to Eden Prairie, Minnesota, in August of 2022. It was Training Manager Trish Buis’s first discovery trip, and she was impressed with the company’s thoughtful engagement throughout the process.

 

“Our discovery visit was so smooth and efficient,” she continued. “They followed the discovery plan closely. Everything was scheduled and planned to honor our time. They had representatives from all of the different groups we requested. And everyone was very cordial.”

 

Not all discovery trips are so flawlessly coordinated. But E.A. Sween’s willingness to trust readySC’s experience, educate the readySC team about the company, and maximize their time together made all the difference.

Synergized Start-Up

From day one, E.A. Sween leaned into readySC’s expertise and listened when readySC made recommendations about how the company could be successful in South Carolina.

 

For instance, readySC suggested that one of their first hires should be a local Human Resources leader. Hamby, who is a Greenwood County native, couldn’t agree more. “Having someone who is familiar with the local employment landscape, from laws to talent to community, is vital – especially for a company that prioritizes being a part of the community, as E.A. Sween does,” she said.

That intentionality allowed E.A. Sween to increase its visibility and connect with Greenwood citizens from the outset. They participated in the SC Festival of Discovery, Greenwood’s premier celebration of local history, culture, food, arts, crafts, and music. They made a $25,000 donation to the Greenwood Promise, a scholarship fund benefitting local high school students. They also partnered with the Food Bank of Greenwood County to supply sandwiches for the Weekend Backpack Program in all three Greenwood County School Districts – initiatives they continue to support today.

 

Additionally, E.A. Sween took readySC’s advice to offer a competitive wage. “Before they hired the first person,” Heath recalled, “they raised the wage from what their initial offer was going to be because they wanted to be the company where people wanted to work.”

 

Despite a snag in their timeline, their efforts paid off when it came time to recruit.

A Winning Recruitment Strategy

Rather than allowing a delay with their building to disrupt their hiring momentum, E.A. Sween made a smart pivot – with readySC’s help.

 

Recruiters built a strong talent pipeline by engaging with prospective employees at regional fairs, inviting them to join their talent network, and collecting contact information via QR code. By keeping prospective employees informed with monthly recruiting updates, E.A. Sween’s two-day hiring event – designed to accommodate 300+ candidates – filled up before they even began advertising.

 

The hiring event itself was also hugely successful. While waiting for an interview, job candidates learned about E.A. Sween’s leadership, values, culture, and processes by watching videos. And the company made offers on the spot; new hires enjoyed a sandwich while waiting for their paperwork to be processed!

 

Beyond simply supporting the process, readySC was an integral part of the event’s success. They “rolled up their sleeves and did everything that our team was doing – from checking folks in to escorting candidates from one place to another to helping them complete applications online,” said Hamby. “They really jumped in and were just an extension of our team.”

On readySC’s collaborative role: “They really jumped in and were just an extension of our team.”
— Amanda Hamby, Senior HR Business Partner, E.A. Sween – SC

 

This hands-on approach created a smooth and welcoming experience for candidates, reinforcing E.A. Sween’s commitment to building a strong workforce. With readySC’s support, the event not only filled critical positions but also set the tone for a culture of collaboration from day one.

No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Making the move from Minnesota to South Carolina came with its challenges – chiefly, differences in climate! Because of the South’s humidity, E.A. Sween’s speculative building required different refrigeration systems than those used at its Northern headquarters.

 

Additionally, readySC anticipated that South Carolina workers would need expanded training on how to work in a cold environment. These components included warm-up exercises and proper insulation techniques. In one experiment, employees tested the effects of cold stress with bare hands, nitrile gloves, and insulated gloves to understand how to best stay warm in their cold environment.

Another customized training solution provided by readySC was a financial fitness session. It included explanations of paycheck deductions, an overview of types of insurance, and a practical budgeting activity. “Offering this training showed that E.A. Sween wants their employees to be able to manage their finances responsibly,” Buis said.  “As a whole, E.A. Sween is always thinking about ways to take care of their people.” Employees agreed, with many indicating that this training was especially practical and impactful.

Forging Ahead

E.A. Sween just celebrated its first full year in its new facility, and it continues to grow its workforce at an exciting pace. Why? Because every step of the way, everyone involved was a true partner.

“E.A. Sween has core values that they don’t just put on the wall. They live them.”
— Susan Heath, readySC Area Director

 

From the very beginning, Greenwood County played a critical role – funding the speculative building through the Greenwood County Capital Project sales tax, which initially drew E.A. Sween to South Carolina. Piedmont Technical College provided the Flex Space for both classroom and hands-on training. SC Works offered instrumental support during job fairs and recruitment events. And readySC’s industry experience and comprehensive approach to workforce development helped set E.A. Sween up for success in South Carolina.

 

This level of collaboration reflects the way E.A. Sween does business – with values that go beyond words.

 

“E.A. Sween has core values that they don’t just put on the wall,” said Heath. “They live them.” Those core values come to life in the way the company invests in its people, tackles challenges as a team, and works side-by-side with its partners. A bold message displayed in their facility says it all: We will win as one.

 

That’s not just how they work – it’s who they are.

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