CHARLESTON, W.VA. — 27 West Virginia companies that grew their business by exporting a good or service to a new country last year were recognized by state officials in a virtual ceremony on June 30. Seven of these companies were first time winners.
During the event, each business received the Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry Award, which is given to companies that made their first sale to a new country in the previous calendar year.
“2020 was a tough year for all West Virginians but these businesses kept going and kept working in spite of the pandemic,” said Gov. Jim Justice. “Exporting to a new country is an incredible accomplishment and we are all proud of their success. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all those who are making this happen in West Virginia.”
Exports are an important component of West Virginia’s growing economy. In 2020, the state’s exports were valued at $4.5 billion.
“West Virginia has a very diverse economy with several thriving industries and an array of businesses that have taken the next steps to export outside of the United States,” said West Virginia Department of Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael. “Every time a West Virginia business expands into a new market, it should be celebrated. It’s an incredible achievement that contributes so much to the state’s economy.”
Since 2002, more than 2,200 export awards have been presented to more than 170 companies for selling products to nearly 200 countries. This year, awards were presented to businesses from 13 West Virginia counties for exporting goods and services to 50 different countries.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award presentation was conducted in a virtual format and included congratulatory remarks from several state officials, including Gov. Justice, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Sen. Joe Manchin and Congresswoman Carol Miller.
Awards were presented to the following businesses:
Brooke County
American Muscle Docks & Fabrication
City: Wellsburg
Product/Service: Custom built boat docks, dock hardware, aluminum gangways, marina accessories, and metal fabrications
Country Product/Service Exported To: France, Cayman Islands
Cabell County
BEK Inc. dba Level 1 Fasteners
City: Huntington
Product/Service: High Precision Fasteners
Country Product/Service Exported To: United Kingdom
Steel of West Virginia, Inc.
City: Huntington
Product/Service: Structural Steel I beams, channels, special shapes
Country Product/Service Exported To: China, Spain, Canada, South Korea
West Virginia Power Systems
City: Huntington
Product/Service: Medium Voltage Fuses and Arrester
Country Product/Service Exported To: Canada, Mexico
Guyan International
City: Barboursville
Product/Service: Manufacture of high-pressure hydraulic pumps, motors, and auxiliary products for mobile hydraulic applications in the mining, agricultural, industrial, construction, waste disposal, and energy industries
Country Product/Service Exported To: Singapore, Kenya
Jackson County
J&M Industrial
City: Millwood
Product/Service: Buying and Selling Industrial Equipment
Country Product/Service Exported To: Fiji, Kenya
OVIS
City: Millwood
Product/Service: Specialty Hardware
Country Product/Service Exported To: Mexico, Canada
Star Plastics
City: Millwood
Product/Service: Accomplished full service laboratories to develop, test, and compound plastic materials, Star Plastics offers high quality custom color compounding (known for lot-to-lot consistency), tolling, sourcing and supplying polymers
Country Product/Service Exported To: Italy, Mexico
Valtronics Solutions
City: Ravenswood
Product/Service: Valtronics® Solutions provides turnkey measurement solutions for the natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and natural gas liquids markets
Country Product/Service Exported To: Netherlands
Jefferson County
C2M Consulting, LLC
City: Charles Town
Product/Service: Cybersecurity Management and Auditors
Country Product/Service Exported To: Mexico, Chile, Bolivia
Growth Media Productions
City: Shepherdstown
Product/Service: Television Programs and Feature Films
Country Product/Service Exported To: Iceland, Romania, Uganda, Guyana, Botswana
Kanawha County
Belle Chemical
City: Belle
Product/Service: Chemicals
Country Product/Service Exported To: Brazil, Canada, Ireland, India, Mexico, Northern Ireland, United Arab Emirates
Elite Etching LLC
City: Cross Lanes
Product/Service: Tools for glass etching
Country Product/Service Exported To: Canada
DRK Studios
City: Saint Albans
Product/Service: Specialty FX, Props, Masks/Prosthetics, Escape Room Development
Country Product/Service Exported To: Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Malaysia, New Caledonia
Morgan Rhea
City: South Charleston
Product/Service: Luxury leather goods
Country Product/Service Exported To: Peru
Industrial Bolting Technologies, Inc.
City: Charleston
Product/Service: TorsionX Hydraulic Torque Wrenches
Country Product/Service Exported To: United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Indonesia
The Iron Beaver
City: Montgomery
Product/Service: Home décor and metal art and signs
Country Product/Service Exported To: Australia, Peru
Mason County
North American Consulting Services, Inc.
City: Point Pleasant
Product/Service: Provide Cyber Security and Communications Security
Country Product/Service Exported To: United Arab Emirates
Mercer County
Elgin Separation Solutions
City: Princeton
Product/Service: Vibrating screens and fabrication services for mining and aggregate industries
Country Product/Service Exported To: New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada
Morgan County
Caperton Furnitureworks LLC
City: Berkeley Springs
Product/Service: Wooden Furniture
Country Product/Service Exported To: Jamaica, Cyprus, Mozambique, Marshall Islands, Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan, Denmark, Trinidad & Tobago, South Korea, Brunei, Sweden, China
Ohio County
Direct Online Marketing
City: Wheeling
Product/Service: Digital marketing and advertising
Country Product/Service Exported To: France, India
Legacy Truck Centers, Inc.
City: Wheeling
Product/Service: Truck parts
Country Product/Service Exported To: Mauritius, Tanzania
CFOAM LLC
City: Triadelphia
Product/Service: Manufacture Carbon Foam
Country Product/Service Exported To: Australia, Brazil, China, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland
Raleigh County
Elgin Power Solutions
City: Beaver
Product/Service: Design and manufacture of electrical products for surface and underground mining including: mine lighting, camera systems, electrical power distribution equipment, and controls for mobile and stationary equipment
Country Product/Service Exported To: Canada, Chile, Mexico, Israel
Randolph County
Environotics Unlimited
City: Elkins
Product/Service: Soil Inoculants; Soil Amendments; Plant Growth Stimulators; Animal Feed Supplements; Environmental Remediation Products; Organic/Biodynamic Complete Crop Growing Systems; Hydroponic Fodder Growing Systems
Country Product/Service Exported To: United Arab Emirates, Sweden, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada
Tyler County
Marble King
City: Paden City
Product/Service: Glass marbles
Country Product/Service Exported To: New Zealand
Wetzel County
Paul Wissmach Glass Co
City: Paden City
Product/Service: Manufacturer of stained glass and art glass
Country Product/Service Exported To: Chile
