Community Bulletin
Hank Ellis Insurance Agency in Buckhannon is urging drivers to ask about an auto insurance rate lock — a way to hold a rate steady as premiums climb. The independent Erie agency, owner-operated since 2006, writes auto, home, life and commercial coverage. Read more →
This story brought to you paywall-free, courtesy of the My Buckhannon team and our community partners
BEVERLY, W.Va. — Federal, state and local officials gathered at AHF Products Beverly plant, formerly Armstrong Flooring, to celebrate the completion of the new 85,000-square foot distribution center and expanded facility, a project that will potentially anchor the company in Randolph County and West Virginia for at least the next two decades.
AHF Products manufactures solid and engineered hardwood flooring products. The company acquired Armstrong Flooring at the end of 2018. The additional space will allow for future expansion of the manufacturing capacity and has the potential to create 50 new jobs over the next 10 years.
“We’re very excited about the expansion,” said Blaine Emery, AHF plant manager. “This is a great development for AHF Products because it allows us to grow our capabilities at this plant and continue to be a major contributor to the economy of this region.”
The expansion project was the result of a collaborative effort between AHF Products, the Randolph County Development Authority, the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the West Virginia Economic Development Authority.
“AHF Products is an important component of economic growth in Randolph County and is an integral part of the community,” said Robbie Morris, Executive Director of the Randolph County Economic Development Authority. “We were very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with them and help make this expansion a reality.”
Attendees were joined by representatives for Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito, along with Governor Jim Justice to cut the ribbon on the expanded facility. Representatives from the U.S.E.D.A., West Virginia EDA, RCDA, the Randolph County Commission and other prominent leaders were also present.
“We are an anchor for the hardwood industry here in West Virginia, as well as the entire Appalachian region,” Emery said. “The partnership of all of those involved shows how much we are committed to staying in Randolph County and West Virginia.”
The Beverly plant is already the largest pre-finished solid hardwood flooring plant in the nation. It employs 600 people, Emery said. AHF Products purchases nearly 90 million board feet of lumber per year.
