FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Kibar Americas has restarted the aluminum manufacturing facility formerly operated by Novellis in Marion County.
Fairmont City Manager Travis Blosser said Kibar Americas is a wholly owned United States subsidiary of Assan Alüminyum, one of the leading manufacturers of flat-rolled aluminum (FRP) in the world. Novellis and their future operations were focused on products other than FRP.
“They’re very well established on the aluminum side in Turkey as well as the rest of the world,” Blosser said. “This is their first North American operation, and I just can’t say enough about them.”
U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito returned to the site after her visit earlier this year to provide comments.
“It was great to be back at Kibar Americas and celebrate the grand opening of their new manufacturing facility here in Fairmont. This investment represents a new chapter of opportunity here in Marion County,” Senator Capito said. “I’m proud to see companies like Kibar Americas investing in our state and bringing innovative solutions to the aluminum manufacturing industry. I look forward to continuing to work with them and our business community to strengthen American manufacturing and create more opportunities for West Virginians.”
“We greatly appreciate Senator Capito’s visit and her continued engagement with Kibar Americas as we work to restart the Fairmont facility. From the Senator’s office to the local Fairmont community, West Virginia has been incredibly welcoming and has reinforced our belief that this is the right place for us to invest, create jobs, and build a stronger domestic aluminum supply chain,” Atilla Cetinel, COO of Kibar Americas, said.
Novellis shut down the operation about 18 months ago, but left a small crew so the facility could reopen under a new owner. Blosser said Kibar Americas has knowledge of the market, a facility, and a proven workforce that has served Novellis for many years.
“The saw the same strength in the workforce that everybody does in the state of West Virginia,” Blosser said. “They didn’t see a beaten city or a broken workforce—they saw a facility ready to go and a workforce ready to get to work.”
Blosser said 20 to 30 employees are currently working, and that number could increase as operations continue. Work on restarting operations has been going on for the last month or so and would not have been possible if Novellis had shuddered the facility and walked away.
“They are running coil, they are running product line, and we got to see some of that on the tour,” Blosser said.
The Monday ceremony included local leaders, business leaders, federal officials, and companies within the industry that could become customers.
“Companies that deal with Sara Lee and aluminum used in the pans related to Sara Lee cakes and things of that nature,” Blosser said. “Seeing and meeting some of those folks was impressive as well.”
Blosser said Kibar Americas has been very easy to work with and has delivered on their plans so far. Depending on the market, there is an excellent chance expansion could happen on the existing site.
“I don’t think this is the last of Kibar Americas’ investments, not only in West Virginia but also in Fairmont,” Blosser said. “I think Kibar Americas is going to continue to expand and continue to invest.”