Fanti USA, an Italian-based manufacturer, celebrated the start of building renovations for its new production facility last week, at the company’s future building at the Half Moon Industrial Park in Weirton. State and local dignitaries joined company executives for the presentation of golden hammers, signifying the start of the renovation process. The project was first announced by Governor Justice in November 2020.
“The addition of this company and the renovations of this facility align well with the trajectory our state is on this year,” said West Virginia Department of Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael. “Being the home of a company’s first United States facility is a great honor and we are excited that Fanti USA says ‘Yes, West Virginia.’”
Based in Bologna, Italy, Fanti USA specializes in the production of metal packaging products. The group operates multiple facilities throughout Europe, manufacturing over 100 million containers annually. According to the company, this first U.S. facility will serve products directly to the American market.
The new manufacturing facility in Weirton will produce metal packaging containers with state-of-the art equipment, creating an initial 40 new full-time jobs with a $30 million investment into the Brooke County operations. This investment is not only the first production facility in the U.S. for the parent entity Gruppo Fanti, but also the largest expansion project in the company’s 77-year history.
“Brooke County is always happy to welcome new businesses and industries to our region. We want to thank Fanti USA for making Brooke County the home of their first U.S. operation and for making a positive economic impact in the valley,” said A.J. Thomas, president of the Brooke County Commission.
The Business Development Corporation (BDC) is the designated economic development organization for Brooke and Hancock counties. BDC is working closely with Massaro Corporation, the selected construction manager for the Fanti project.
“We are very excited to welcome Fanti USA to Weirton,” said Marvin Six, executive director of BDC of the Northern Panhandle. “The BDC’s acquisition of the former Signode Building was critical to host Fanti USA, and it was a big team effort. The BDC gives our sincerest thanks to the State Auditor’s Office, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Brooke County Commission, and the City of Weirton for their foresight and cooperation needed to make this celebration today a reality.”
Renovations are anticipated to be completed in the latter part of 2022, with facility operation beginning shortly after.