Our Story
Built on Experience. Driven by Precision.
3S International was founded in Hong Kong in 2000 as a strategic sourcing company. Today, it is a U.S.-based industrial manufacturer headquartered in Laurens, South Carolina — serving generator OEMs, EPC contractors, and hyperscale data center developers worldwide.
From Hong Kong to South Carolina
3S International was founded in Hong Kong in 2000 by John Kuykendall, a Clemson University mechanical engineer with more than 30 years of experience in metal fabrication and power generation. The name "3S" originally stood for Strategic Sourcing Solutions.
After establishing manufacturing operations in Jiangsu, China in 2008 and building an extensive Asia-Pacific supply chain, Kuykendall brought 3S to South Carolina in 2015 — announcing a $15 million investment and 45 new jobs in Laurens County, its first U.S. manufacturing operation.
Today, 3S operates a 58,000+ sq. ft. facility in Laurens, SC alongside a 100,000+ sq. ft. overseas manufacturing facility in the Philippines, with supply chain relationships spanning China, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe.
Company Timeline
Founded in Hong Kong as Strategic Sourcing Solutions
Manufacturing operations launched in Jiangsu, China
3S International filed in South Carolina as an S-Corp
$15M investment announced — first U.S. manufacturing operation in Laurens County, SC
ISO 9001:2015 certification issued (Certificate No. 1708009)
100+ employees, 1,000+ unit annual capacity, expanding into AI data center infrastructure
Veteran Owned
Privately held and family-based, 3S is a veteran-owned and operated company committed to American manufacturing.
ISO Certified Quality
ISO 9001:2015 certified (ANAB Accredited, IAF Recognition) for the design, manufacture, and finish of metal weldments and assemblies.
Global Reach
U.S. headquarters in Laurens, SC plus a 100,000+ sq. ft. Philippines facility and supply chain relationships across Asia and Europe.
Engineering-Led
SolidWorks CAD design verification before every fabrication run. AWS and ASME affiliated. Built for OEM-grade precision.
Leadership
John Kuykendall
President & CEO
John Kuykendall founded 3S International in Hong Kong in 2000 after developing deep expertise in global metal fabrication and power generation. A Clemson University mechanical engineering graduate, he spent over a decade living in Guangzhou, China building manufacturing relationships across Asia. He has served as a subject-matter expert in global manufacturing for Caterpillar's electric-power business and brought 3S to South Carolina at Caterpillar Electric Power's request. He holds affiliations with AWS and ASME.