SOMAR invests $2.5 million to establish epoxy resin manufacturing plant in West Virginia
SOMAR has announced plans to open a new epoxy resin production plant in Wood County, West Virginia. The Japanese company, which supplies resin products to the automotive industry, will invest $2.5 million into the project, creating 25 new jobs in the process.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, SOMAR Corp.'s President, Futoshi Sotani, said, "We evaluated several options for our U.S. manufacturing facility, and West Virginia's proposals and services were the best among them. We're so happy with our decision to invest in West Virginia. We look forward to growing our North America business from this new location. By leasing an existing building in the PAZ park, we can start production and begin serving our U.S. customers promptly."
Governor Jim Justice added, "We are thrilled to welcome SOMAR to West Virginia. We have quickly become a great home for global manufacturers, because we make it very easy for them to succeed. I cannot wait to see the positive changes Somar will bring to Wood County and the new opportunities for our hard working citizens. Small businesses are the backbone of the Mountain State, and we’ll continue to support them in every way possible.”
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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