WB Alloys to invest millions and open first U.S. facility in Danville
DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - A plan two years in the making has finally come to fruition, leading to millions of dollars in investment in Danville to help strengthen the local workforce and benefit the U.S. Navy.
WB Alloys has been in business for 51 years, manufacturing welding products in the U.K.
The company is now investing $6.6 million to open a 10,000-square-foot facility in Danville with plans to expand.
“It was an easy and obvious solution to request them to come across,” said Richie Barker, WB Alloys CEO.
They will be producing parts for the U.S. Navy, creating 30 jobs with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $70,000.
It was a decision led by WB Alloys CEO Richie Barker, who has been working in Danville for several years with FasTech, a company located at the Cyber Park that uses WB Alloys parts for production.
Barker saw the growth happening in Danville and the local defense manufacturing programs.
“With what’s been happening in Danville over the last two to three years with the training programs, it was a great fit to the current ecosystem. It just added value,” said Barker.
“We were given help by everybody there and very much welcomed into Danville,” said Kim Murphy, WB Alloys Financial Director. ”With it being near the military base, the logistics, everything about Danville just screamed, ‘yes, let’s try here first.’”
The plan is to start manufacturing products in the Fastech building at the Cyber Park until they find a shell building to move into.
They are also working with schools in the area to recruit local talent and strengthen the workforce pipeline.
“We’re already talking to DCC, we’re already talking to Pittsylvania County Schools. We’re looking at how we can support those programs and support bringing the next generation of welders, next generation of skilled personnel into the workforce,” added Barker.
Barker says parts are already on the way to begin production. He expects the new facility to be up and running within two years.
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