By Compiled by Kensie Hamilton Fauber
West Virginia’s automotive manufacturing companies comprise an extensive industry in the state, playing a large role in West Virginia’s economic success. With an impact of $711 million and 6,004 jobs just in 2021—numbers directly related to the automotive sector and not including third-tier suppliers—the staggering amount of revenue and jobs brought into the state contributes to the welfare of West Virginia and its communities.
Fortunately, West Virginia is well poised to continue the growth of automotive manufacturing in the state—along with the many positive implications this growth has. From significant investment projects from companies like Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia and GreenPower Motor Company to opportunities such as electric vehicle battery production, the automotive economic sector is exponentially developing and gaining an international presence for its attractive business climate.
“We continue to attract investment in this sector for a variety of reasons, including West Virginia’s competitive cost of doing business and our location,” says Stephen Spence, director of the international division for the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. “We promote the state to the global automotive industry and provide workforce development assistance through our training programs and by working closely with the community and technical colleges and other workforce service providers. And, in order to compete with other states, we offer tax credits, financial programs, site location services and other incentives to qualified projects.”
West Virginia’s business climate is ideal for organizations looking to start up or expand, and the success of automotive manufacturing companies like NGK Spark Plugs and Hino Motors Manufacturing are key examples of the thriving industry and what is possible in this state.
“The continued growth of our existing companies is a priority along with our interest in continuing to recruit additional automotive suppliers to the state,” says Spence. “We are aware that our automotive suppliers continually develop new products and technologies to ensure their growth.”
Along with the exciting room for growth in automotive manufacturing, celebrating the already prospering industry is equally as important. For this issue, West Virginia Executive (WVE) partnered with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development to visually display the expansive nature of the automotive manufacturing industry in the Mountain State. West Virginia has worked hard to create a business climate capable of fostering an industry sector so impactful to the economy, and WVE is proud to share this map compilation.
Editors Note: This map was compiled using resources from the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.
- Allevard Sogefi USA Inc.
- American National Rubber Co
- Armacell
- Diamond Electric Mfg. Corp
- EuropTec USA, Inc.
- General Motors
- Gestamp
- Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.
- K.S. of West Virginia Co. Ltd.
- Meiji Corporation
- NGK Spark Plugs U.S.A., Inc.
- Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
- Novelis
- Nucor
- Okuno International, Inc.
- Rubberlite Inc.
- Sanko Electronics America, Inc.
- Speedway Motors
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing
- Toyota Tsusho America, Inc.
- Troy, LLC
- West Virginia Steel Corporation
- Wheeling-Nippon Steel
Allevard Sogefi USA Inc.
PRICHARD
Sogefi’s 32,000-square-foot facility in Wayne County is equipped to manufacture filters and modules for Ford, Nissan, BMW, Chrysler and Mazda.
American National Rubber Co
CEREDO
The manufacturing of top-quality closed cell sponge is truly an art. Founded in 1957, American National Rubber has mastered that art and applied it to the manufacturing of a wide variety of closed cell sponge products. The multi-plant complex utilizes the experience of highly skilled employees.
Armacell
SPENCER
As the inventors of flexible foam for equipment insulation and a leading provider of engineered foams, Armacell develops innovative and safe thermal, acoustic and mechanical solutions that create sustainable value for its customers.
Diamond Electric Mfg. Corp
ELEANOR
Diamond Electric produces ignition coils for automotive manufacturers such as Chrysler, Ford and Toyota. The company has operations in Diamond and opened its first manufacturing plant in West Virginia in 1997. Since then, the company has expanded the facility multiple times, making the West Virginia operations the company’s largest production facility in the world.
EuropTec USA, Inc.
CLARKSBURG
EuropTec USA is a manufacturer of acid etched anti-glare glass, EagleEtch, and a specialist in glass processing and fabrication for the display industry.
General Motors
MARTINSBURG
General Motors’ Martinsburg Parts Distribution Center offers exceptional customer service through industry leading performance in supply chain, logistics, warehousing and distribution.
gm.com/company/facilities/martinsburg
Gestamp
SOUTH CHARLESTON
Since it was founded in Spain in 1997, Gestamp has grown from a small local stamping company to a global presence in more than 20 countries. In 2012, the auto parts manufacturer opened a stamping plant in South Charleston, WV. The multinational company has ramped up its workforce and the number of stamping lines over the years.
Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.
MINERAL WELLS
Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. is the commercial truck division of Toyota Motors Corporation, producing medium-duty trucks for the U.S. market. The truck assembly plant opened in Williamstown, WV, in 2007. In 2017, Hino announced the operation would relocate into a new facility nearly four times larger. The expanded facility allows Hino to combine several assembly operations under one roof.
K.S. of West Virginia Co. Ltd.
RAVENSWOOD
K.S. of West Virginia Co. Ltd. supplies high-quality precision metal stamping parts and insert injection molding for the automotive industry. The facility is situated on a 43-acre site in Ravenswood, WV. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kato Seisakusho Co., Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan, and a member of the K.S. Group.
Meiji Corporation
ELEANOR
Meiji Corporation is the leading distributor of factory automation components from Asia, Europe and North America.
NGK Spark Plugs U.S.A., Inc.
SISSONVILLE
NGK is a manufacturing company based out of Nagoya, Japan. The NGK Spark Plug manufacturing plant opened in Sissonville, WV, in 1995. The Sissonville plant now produces oxygen sensors and spark plugs for internal combustion engines, along with ceramics and applicable products. NGK is the largest supplier and manufacturer of spark plugs and oxygen sensors for imported and domestic vehicles.
Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
FRAZIERS BOTTOM
Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.’s first U.S. plant is in Fraziers Bottom, WV. It has a 26,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and a 5,000-square-foot office management facility. Nippon Thermostat group companies have an extensive lineup of automotive hermos devices.
Novelis
BUCKHANNON, FAIRMONT
The Novelis facility in Buckhannon, WV, was built in 1999 to serve the electrical conductor industry and other light-gauge applications, primarily 1,350 and 1,100 alloy products. Since then, Novelis has added to its capabilities in Buckhannon, including the manufacturing of 3,003 alloys for cookware products.
Nucor
APPLE GROVE
Nucor’s new $2.7 billion sheet steel mill will have advanced steelmaking capabilities and lower carbon emissions. It will be constructed on a greenfield site in Mason County.
Okuno International, Inc.
PRICHARD
Okuno International, Inc. provides hydraulic cylinders for forklifts and other industrial and heavy equipment. Okuno leads the market in terms of quality and craftsmanship. The company is a tier-one supplier to the industrial equipment industry and serves several large companies.
Rubberlite, Inc.
HUNTINGTON
Rubberlite, Inc. is the recognized leader of converted cellular rubber and plastic products as well as a manufacturer of custom-engineered polyurethane foams and flexible composite systems.
Sanko Electronics America, Inc.
CHARLESTON
Sanko Electronics is an electronic parts supplier to major automotive manufacturers, including NGK Spark Plug and Toyota Industries Corporation.
Speedway Motors
KEARNEYSVILLE
Speedway Motors is a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of high-quality automotive parts and racing products. Since 1952, Speedway Motors has been committed to providing a broad selection of high-quality, affordable automotive parts—delivered quickly, efficiently and without any hassles.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
BUFFALO
Toyota Motor Manufacturing employs 1,400 people at its Buffalo plant. The plant produces four-cylinder engines for Corolla, V6 engines for the Sienna and Highlander and six-speed automatic transmissions for Lexus ES 350, Camry, Avalon, RAV4, Highlander and Sienna. In 2020, the company produced Toyota’s first hybrid transaxle in North America.
Toyota Tsusho America, Inc.
ELEANOR
Toyota Tsusho America’s automotive team combines customer intelligence with marketing and sales to export Toyota, Lexus and Hino vehicles, parts and accessories to over 40 countries.
Troy, LLC
HARRISVILLE
Troy, LLC is a manufacturer of needle-punched nonwoven textiles that supplies a variety of customers and applications. Troy has many years of experience in needle punch synthetic fabrics sold mainly to the automotive industry. These fabrics are produced in molded, roll goods and cut-piece form.
West Virginia Steel Corporation
POCA
West Virginia Steel Corporation is a comprehensive steel supplier and fabricator for the industrial, commercial and mining industries.
Wheeling-Nippon Steel
FOLLANSBEE
As an independent steel coating company, Wheeling-Nippon Steel now enjoys the benefit of ties to one of the world leaders in coating technology and innovation while serving its customers with the best possible coated steel products.
