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CHARLESTON -- Ten companies from the region have been honored by the state of West Virginia for success in exporting.
Thirty-seven West Virginia companies that grew their business by exporting a good or service to a new country last year were recognized at a ceremony on July 13 in Charleston. Nine companies were first-time winners.
The companies 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.
Local companies receiving awards were:
* Appalachian Log Structures, Ripley, Jackson County. Product/Service: Log Home Kit. Country product/service exported to: Panama.
* Constellium Rolled Products, Ravenswood, Jackson County: Product/service: Aluminum Manufacturing Plant. Country product/service exported to: Thailand.
* Green Loop Exports LLC, Ravenswood, Jackson County. Product/service: recycled plastics. Country product/service exported to: South Korea.
* Mustang Holdings, Ravenswood, Jackson County. Product/service: analytically accurate solutions within sample conditioning systems. Country product/service exported to: Singapore, Taiwan.
* Niche Polymer LLC, Ravenswood, Jackson County. Product/service: plastics. Country product/service exported to: Colombia, France, Taiwan.
* OVIS, Millwood, Jackson County. Product/service: specialty hardware. Country product/service exported to: Brazil, Russia.
* Star Plastics, Millwood, Jackson County. 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.
* Paul Wissmach Glass Co., Paden City, Wetzel County. Product/service: handmade sheet glass for architectural and art uses. Country product/service exported to: Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Oman, Peru, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine.
* Baron Blakeslee, Williamstown, Wood County. Product/service: vapor degreasers, industrial & precision cleaning systems. Country product/service exported to: Romania.
* Kreinik Manufacturing Co. Inc., Parkersburg, Wood County. Product/service: thread products. Country product/service exported to: Mexico, Sweden.
"Exports are a key factor in the success of West Virginia's economy. Our small businesses generate significant impact by pursuing exports and I am honored to recognize their achievements." Gov. Jim Justice said.
West Virginia's exports in 2021 grew by 37%, he said.
"This growth is further proof that West Virginia products and services continue to be competitive, not only locally, but globally," Justice said.
West Virginia exports in 2021 were a $6.2 billion part of 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 16 West Virginia counties for exporting goods and services to more than 60 different countries.
"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 Executive Director Mike Graney. "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."