West Virginia Executive Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 45

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Polyurethane in the Mountain State STOCKMEIER Urethanes, established in 1991, is an international family owned and operated polyurethane company that manufactures and develops coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers for a wide range of applications in the sports and industrial markets. Applications include safety surfacing, pipeline pigs, air and oil filters, transformers, capacitors, running tracks and numerous recycled rubber products, among others. STOCKMEIER Urethanes is part of the STOCKMEIER Group, a chemical distributor in Germany, which will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary in September. STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc., one of four sites worldwide, was incorporated in Clarksburg, WV, in 2003. The facility has seen considerable growth from its first batch of material produced in January 2005. Since then, the site has completed major upgrades to reactors, expanded the administrative offices and warehousing, and added new dispersion units and research and development equipment. These additions doubled the site’s production capabilities. Future expansion plans include adding a rail service, additional tank storage and an automated warehouse. “We chose West Virginia because we liked the tight-knit community atmosphere and support shown,” says Christian Martinkat, president and CEO of STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA. “We were confident we could see growth here with the many advantages of doing business in West Virginia. Firstly, the state and county government and legislature were, and still are, quick in helping us resolve issues. Secondly, the greater North Central West Virginia region is ideally suited for competitive freight rates due to the proximity of main East Coast traffic corridors resulting in 80 percent of the American polyurethane market within reach by two trucking days. Thirdly, energy, labor and real estate are accessible at a reasonable rate compared to urban centers such as Washington, D.C., New York or Chicago. Additionally, West Virginia has been home to the chemical industry for a long time, so a skilled work force is available for a niche industry.” The continued successes of the Clarksburg plant are due to the dedication of its staff. “Our 60-plus employees work as a team each day, allowing us to be more efficient and productive while still creating the highest quality products,” says Martinkat. “We maintain a focus on providing them with the tools needed for success. We strive to be an employer for people who want to be here, who want to be part of the community and who want to be part of the STOCKMEIER family. We believe it’s important to have staff who are motivated, enjoy their job and know that what they do each day truly impacts our success.” In addition to employment and wages, STOCKMEIER also invigorates local economies in Harrison County by utilizing local businesses for secondary services from graphics and web design to construction and landscaping. The company’s rich history, team-based practices and community focus combined with its dedication to manufacting quality products truly makes it the smart solution. (304) 624-7002 | stockmeier-urethanes.com | 20 Columbia Boulevard, Clarksburg, WV 26301