SJ Morse Company
BY ALICIA ELKIN . As a full-service manufacturer of custom architectural wood veneer panels , Capon Bridgebased SJ Morse Company distributes to all 50 states and is certified at the premium grade by the Architectural Woodwork Institute ’ s Quality Certification Program .
The company works on projects that range from residential and commercial to governmental and institutional , building architectural , blueprint-matched and sequenced wood veneer panels and doors while helping its customers find the right materials , plan panel construction and more .
The company has provided wood veneer panels to some of the largest projects in the Mid-Atlantic , including the U . S . Capitol Visitors Center , National Museum of the American Indian , Nationals Park and Nashville ’ s Music City Center .
In 2015 , the company began to restructure as an employee stock ownership plan and finished the reorganization in 2018 . Exceeding growth expectations as a result , the SJ Morse Company is now looking to expand its operations at home in Capon Bridge . As one of the largest private sector employers in Hampshire County , the company plans to add to its 23 employees and relocate to a new 30,000-square-foot facility at the Capon Bridge Tech Park .
“ We are currently working on plans to triple the size of our manufacturing space and capacity ,” says Jesse Von Fange , vice president of business development and marketing at SJ Morse Company . “ This will increase our standard veneer panel business and provide the space we need to produce our new line of acoustic wood veneer panels .”
Having built many relationships over the past three decades with large millwork companies by exceeding expectations , the company ’ s success has led to a lasting demand that continues to push the limits of its capacity . SJ Morse Company also attributes a lot of its success to its location in West Virginia ’ s Eastern Panhandle .
“ The SJ Morse Company has benefited from its location in West Virginia by having access to an incredible and committed set of employees who take pride in their work ,” says Von Fange .
West Virginia Fruit and Berry , LLC
BY MAGGIE MATSKO . Founded and operated by Bob and Becky Titchenal , West Virginia Fruit and Berry , LLC offers preserves , jams , fruit wines and fruit butters that celebrate the pride and tradition of West Virginia-grown food products .
The couple began their business venture in 1995 by selling black raspberry jelly on a folding table on a street in Weston , WV . Today , West Virginia Fruit and Berry markets more than 40 products in more than 200 supermarkets , gift shops , state parks and resorts in several states , including West Virginia , Virginia , North Carolina , Maryland , Kentucky , Pennsylvania and Washington , DC , and will soon be reaching Ohio and South Carolina . Customers can also order at www . wvfruitandberry . com from the comfort of their own home . The Mountain State-based company ships to every state in the U . S . and several countries , including Denmark , Canada and Germany .
What makes West Virginia Fruit and Berry ’ s products stand out above the rest is that there are no corn syrups , preservatives , additives or artificial colors or sweeteners added .
“ West Virginia Fruit and Berry has done more than refine an old tradition — we ’ ve started a new one ,” says Becky . “ We fuse fruits and berries indigenous to the state with our simple , original recipes to bring you products like your grandma used to make .”
Even though the company has seen much success across the region , West Virginia Fruit and Berry ’ s home base remains located in the hills of Harrison County , and Bob and Becky couldn ’ t imagine being anywhere else .
“ Our headquarters is at our farm here in Bridgeport , where we have been open to the public for 15 years ,” says Becky . “ Our property also houses our offices , wholesale warehouse and mail-order facility . We have always been proud to call it home .”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE