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TCL Group announces first of four investments in West Virginia's northern panhandle
Summary
TCL group announced the first of four planned investments at a site in West Virginia's northern panhandle, citing abundant feedstock in the Marcellus Shale, a global market nearby and state-backed training and site support.
TCL group announced the first of four planned investments at a site in West Virginia’s northern panhandle, company chairman Ranga Parta Sarati said. The company selected the location for its proximity to feedstock in the Marcellus Shale and to markets in the eastern United States.
Sarati, who identified himself as chairman of the TCL group, described the company as a manufacturer of petrochemical-derived, high-performance polymers and related materials. "We were looking for a site globally," he said, and added that the company currently manufactures in Asia, including India.
He said the chosen West Virginia site sits on the Marcellus Shale and that local availability of feedstock was a key factor in the decision. Sarati also credited state officials and economic development representatives with active outreach during the site-selection process: "They traveled around everywhere. They sat in all our meetings and gave us extraordinary support," he said.
Sarati said the second plant planned for the site will produce a food ingredient that the company described as essential and produced by only about six manufacturers globally. "There are about six manufacturers globally," he said, describing the product as one that is essential for human beings.
Bonnie Vatanzi, who identified herself as assistant plant manager, and Chris Shaki, who identified himself as plant manager, described workforce preparations. Shaki said he has been in the industry for more than 30 years and that TCL operates an apprenticeship program: "This is the only facility, only company I've worked for that has an apprenticeship program," he said.
Company representatives said they are working with state economic development staff on training programs that are reimbursable to the company and that they will "start rolling that out to all the new hires." No job counts, investment dollar totals or project timelines were specified during the presentation.
The presentation ended with the company tagline that "TCL says yes to West Virginia for the opportunities that are provided," underscoring the company's decision to invest in the state. The company and state economic development partners will continue planning and training work ahead of the next project steps.
