2/12/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Japan-based manufacturer Nippon Tungsten has selected West Virginia for its first facility in North America and its first wholly owned subsidiary outside of Japan.
Nippon Tungsten plans to occupy an existing 10,000-square-foot building located in Cabell County. The company will create a high-tech specialized machine shop that will resharpen blades manufactured by Nippon Tungsten’s equipment in Japan. The facility will service the company’s customers located throughout North America.
“West Virginia is proud that Nippon Tungsten chose to open its first North American facility in our state,” said Gov. Joe Manchin. “International investment is an important part of West Virginia’s growing economy. We continue to attract such companies due to our strategic market location, skilled workforce and positive business climate.”
“Before deciding where to open our first facility in the U.S., we evaluated various locations,” said Shozo Yoshida, president of Nippon Tungsten. “West Virginia offered advantages such as proximity to customers and an existing building that met our needs. When we also considered the assistance from state and local government and the positive experience of other Japanese companies in this state, we found West Virginia to be the best choice.”
Nippon Tungsten will invest $2.4 million in the facility, which is expected to create six jobs initially. It is scheduled to be in operation by May 2010.
“I am delighted to welcome Nippon Tungsten to West Virginia’s business community and I applaud the creation of much-needed, high-quality jobs for our hard working West Virginians,” said Sen. Rockefeller. “This announcement of the 21st Japanese company to invest in West Virginia marks another important step in our relationship with Japan and the jobs created truly matter. Nippon Tungsten’s choice to locate in West Virginia is further proof that our state is a great place to invest and grow.” Rockefeller has been instrumental in developing and sustaining ties between the state and businesses in Japan.
“HADCO was pleased to work in partnership with the state and company officials to bring this opportunity to our area,” said Marc Sprouse, president of Huntington Area Development Council. “We welcome Nippon Tungsten to our metal working region and look forward to a long and successful relationship.”
For Nippon Tungsten’s customers, blade sharpness is imperative to cut materials with speed and precision. One of the firm’s largest North American customers, Proctor and Gamble, relies on the blades to cut products such as sanitary napkins and diapers.
The blades are sharpened in an intricate three-stage process. In the final stage, the blades are filed by a skilled technician equipped with microscope-enhanced vision.
Nippon Tungsten refines and fabricates tungsten and other metals to manufacture fine ceramic and refractory products. Nippon Tungsten products and technologies include die cutters, ceramic substrate, electrical contact and alloy metal components. The company is headquartered in Fukuoka City on Kyushu Island, Japan. The firm has offices and factories throughout Japan, China and Thailand.
Contact Information
Catherine Zacchi
304-558-2003 x 340
catherine.m.zacchi@wv.gov