DAVISVILLE, W.Va. — A Japan-based company is planning to invest at least $2.5 million on a new manufacturing facility in Wood County that’s expected to create jobs for 25 people.
Governor Jim Justice met with officials from SOMAR to unveil plans to establish the facility which will manufacture an epoxy resin product used in the automotive sector.
The new Wood County facility will be located within the Polymer Alliance Zone Industrial Park, utilizing an existing building for operations.
Justice said the state is thrilled to welcome SOMAR.
“We have quickly become a great home for global manufacturers, because we make it very easy for them to succeed. I cannot wait to see the positive changes Somar will bring to Wood County and the new opportunities for our hard working citizens. Small businesses are the backbone of the Mountain State, and we’ll continue to support them in every way possible,” Justice said.
SOMAR is a family-owned company out of Tokyo supplying renowned companies such as Toyota and Ford.
SOMAR Corp’s President Futoshi Sotani said West Virginia stood out to them when deciding where to expand their company in the U.S.
“We evaluated several options for our U.S. manufacturing facility, and West Virginia’s proposals and services were the best among them,” Sotani said. “We’re so happy with our decision to invest in West Virginia. We look forward to growing our North America business from this new location. By leasing an existing building in the PAZ park, we can start production and begin serving our U.S. customers promptly.”
The move comes as West Virginia continues to grow its automotive and polymer sectors.