“ We are excited to continue demonstrating that American manufacturing for innovative energy technology is alive and well right here in the industrial heartland of West Virginia and the Ohio Valley,” says Sarah Bray, vice president of communications and corporate affairs.
Manufacturing company US Gearworks, LLC, will soon introduce a new facility in Logan County. With Logan County being chosen as the site for the new project, many jobs are created both through the construction of the facility and its operations once it is functional. This facility will house the manufacturing of industrial gears and fabricated parts that are essential for many different industries.
Todd Colegrove, vice president of operations, says the Gearworks facility is still in its construction phase but that the project is moving along according to plan and the company has procured several contracts for sales in West Virginia. Construction on the facility is estimated to be completed in August of 2025, and operations are projected to begin in December of 2025.
Gearworks will partner with local vocational schools as well as the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center( MAMC) to offer educational resources, such as a collaborative apprenticeship program with MAMC that will help students receive special training and certifications. •
Expansions
Stone wool insulation company ROCKWOOL began operations at a new facility in Ranson in July 2021, which has already been recognized as 2024’ s ROCKWOOL Factory of the Year. The company received a $ 203 million capital investment, which it continues to utilize in both the facility and Ranson community.
ROCKWOOL has worked hard to ensure sustainable practices in its wool production. Adopting the International Chamber of Commerce’ s Business Charter for Sustainable Development, it requires suppliers to comply with all environmental and manufacturing laws. The product itself, stone wool, can be recycled multiple times as well.
“ Our Ranson, WV, facility meets and exceeds environmental protection standards set by governments and regulators,” Paul Espinosa, public affairs manager for ROCK- WOOL North America, says.“ In fact, at our request, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has reduced our permitted emissions and has now classified our Ranson facility as a minor air emission source.”
The ROCKWOOL facility currently hosts 150 employees who collectively receive a salary of more than $ 10 million. Espinosa says that ROCKWOOL has also paid over $ 3 million in property taxes to Jefferson County and around $ 400,000 in business and occupation taxes to the City of Ranson. On top of this, the company has donated its wool to building and renovating projects for the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Habitat for Humanity, the Jefferson County Fair, local fire departments and the Jefferson County 4-H Leaders Association.
Gestamp, a metal automotive component manufacturing company, recently announced it will be expanding its South Charleston facility to include the manufacturing of parts for electric vehicles.
The company invested $ 69 million into the West Virginia facility for the expansion in 2023, and approximately 130 new jobs have been created so far thanks to these recent investments.
“ We anticipate continued growth in our team and facility with future projects and ongoing success,” Federico Mattassini, plant director, says.
Mattassini says as far as the timeline for the expansion is concerned, everything is going according to plan. The Gestamp West Virginia facility is currently undergoing construction, and new operational phases are being implemented as well. Mattassini says the expansions are 85 % complete.
“ Our proactive approach has paved the way for new business projects and initiatives, which are scheduled to continue through 2027,” Mattassini says.
In addition to creating new jobs in the area, Gestamp West Virginia collaborates with local schools and colleges to provide students with opportunities to get involved with the company. The company also works hard to provide its employees with the benefits and projects they deserve.
“ During our recent expansion in 2023, our purchasing team held a virtual supply chain expo featuring over 150 local suppliers to meet our needs for this massive project,” Mattassini says.“ As a result, we utilized 10 local vendors and suppliers, spending $ 1.5 million with these local organizations.”
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