Kaydon Corp. to Expand and Add 50 New Jobs

Kaydon Corp. which makes bearings for CT scanners, plans an $18.5 million expansion that will bring 50 new jobs to one of its Sumter plants. The company makes bearings that support CT scanners, said Kevin LeChene, vice president of manufacturing for Kaydon Bearings Division. The bearings take up to 25 hours to make. They support the scanners as they circle a patient, holding up something that weighs about as much as an automobile, LeChene said. Two trends are helping Kaydon. CT scanners are becoming more popular worldwide and American clients often need larger machines that need bigger bearings, Kaydon Plant Manager Al Hubbard said. In July, Kaydon announced a $10.8 million expansion at its other Sumter plant.