Warren Scott A VITAL ROLE — Debbie Puskarich reflected on the role played by businesses in the manufacturing industry following a tour of Wheeling-Nippon Steel in Follansbee taken by representatives of various businesses and organizations arranged by Puskarich Accounting and the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle in observance of National Manufacturing Day.
FOLLANSBEE — The key role that local industries play in local communities and the need for future generations to fill positions in their varied fields was stressed at an Oct. 6 gathering organized by the owners of Puskarich Accounting and the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle. Custom No Climb Chain Link Fence
Representatives of local businesses and organizations were invited to tour the Wheeling-Nippon Steel plant, one of many manufacturing facilities that figure largely in the local economy.
Divided into small groups, guests were led by several staff members on a tour of the 37-year-old steel mill, noting it’s the only North American company to offer all five major steel coatings under one roof.
They include aluminized, used for protection against heat in products ranging from ovens to auto exhaust systems; galvanized, which minimizes corrosion of areas of steel that have been cut or drilled; Galvalume, used in many roofs because it’s suited for painting; galvannealed, made with a zinc-iron alloy and used in a variety of doors, electrical equipment and other products; and ZAM.
Comprised of a zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy, ZAM was developed by the steel firm and is known for its extreme resistance to corrosion and may be used in a wide range of steel products.
Officials with Wheeling-Nippon Steel have been working to convince transportation departments in various states to include ZAM in the specifications for guardrail and have provided ZAM-coated guardrail for Marquette Avenue in the city to demonstrate its durability.
Ken Tagashira, chief executive officer of Wheeling-Nippon Steel, said about 250,000 tons of steel are processed by the plant’s continuous galvanizing line each year, and about 350,000 tons of steel are produced by its AGL each year.
Finished coils weighing up to 25 tons each are shipped from there for use in agriculture, automotive manufacturing, construction, solar power and other industries.
Initially established through a joint partnership with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, Wheeling-Nippon Steel in recent years was acquired by Nippon Steel, the largest steel producer in Japan and fifth largest in the world.
It employs about 180 people among its manufacturing and office staff.
The tour concluded with proclamations from U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, delivered by representatives Roseann Ferro and Mary Jo Guidi, noting the contributions West Virginia’s many manufacturing businesses have made to the quality of life for the state’s residents.
Jacob Keeny, assistant director of the BDC — which has been designated as the lead economic development agency for Brooke and Hancock counties — said the existence of manufacturing industries that can serve others helps to attract others to the region.
Reflecting on two recent additions, Keeny said crews with Pure Watercraft are preparing to launch its line of electric-powered pontoon boats at the Beech Bottom Industrial Park while Fanti Gruppo, an Italy-based company that produces tin and steel cans, held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of its first American plant at the Half Moon Industrial Park in Weirton.
He added crews are at work constructing the 800,000-square-foot plant on former Weirton Steel property that will be home to Form Energy, a producer of a battery with the capacity to provide 100 hours of energy.
Debbie Puskarich said she hopes such observances on National Manufacturing Day will inspire young adults to pursue careers in manufacturing.
She said the field offers jobs with good pay and benefits and the pathway often is an alternative to college educations and the debt spurred by student loans.
Puskarich said there’s a growing void in workplaces and professions involving skilled trades.
“Many longtime employees say they’ve been offered money to stay (though ready for retirement), because their employers have no one to replace. The kids need to step up to replace them,” she said.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)
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