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Anmoore manufacturer gets new majority owner, plans for expansion

ANMOORE, W.Va. — A Harrison County manufacturing plant has a new majority owner that hopes to one day add jobs at the facility.

Gov. Jim Justice, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin, Shelley Moore Capito and First District Congressman David McKinley joined officials with Amsted Rail in announcing Amsted’s purchase of the Advanced Graphite Materials operation in Anmoore.

“This investment in West Virginia is unbelievable news,” Gov. Justice said in a news release. “Amsted Industries brings more than 100 years of global manufacturing excellence to our state. They are making a statement to the world that West Virginia is on the move and an excellent place to do business and manufacture products.”

The current AGM facility is considered a leader in graphite material science.

Amsted President John Wories

“This acquisition marks the formal creation of Amsted Graphite Materials, LLC, a fully-integrated, U.S. based and owned producer of synthetic graphite materials,” Amsted President John Wories said in a statement. “Our capabilities will include the production of anode material for Li-Ion and electric vehicle batteries, as well as continuing to meet the specialty graphite needs of industrial customers, U.S. government defense systems, and nuclear reactors. As dependence on foreign supplies for critical materials becomes an ever-pressing issue, we are excited by the possibilities AGM provides for the U.S. to invest in the domestic production of critical synthetic graphite needs.”

Justice, who commented on the acquisition at his daily media briefing Tuesday, said the announcement “let’s the world know that West Virginia is the place for manufacturing.”

Manchin said the purchase is great news for the 140 workers at the Anmoore facility.

“Amsted Rail is also committed to increasing their workforce and hiring capable, experienced West Virginians as they work to increase the AGM facilities’ productivity in the upcoming years,” Manchin said. “This investment in our state is great news for our economy and the manufacturing industry across our state. I look forward to the hardworking West Virginians at AGM proving yet again that investing in West Virginia pays off tenfold.”

McKinley said the investment is also great news for the U.S.

“China dominates the market for production of synthetic graphite, so this investment is an important step to breaking our dependence on foreign suppliers for this vital material. This opportunity is a great investment in our state and can help our economy grow,” McKinley said.

Capito agreed.

“With this acquisition, AGM will be the first U.S.-based, synthetic graphite supplier, which is critically important for both the state of West Virginia and the nation. I’m excited for the growth this will create in the Clarksburg area,” Capito said.

Justice also mentioned being able to manufacture graphic products for a national supply chain.

“We’re going to have a domestic supply in this country instead of depending on others throughout the world and we know what that’s been like throughout this pandemic,” Justice said.





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