Mountains of Innovation: Solving Problems the West Virginia Way

by Mark Burdette

One of the best parts of my job with the WVU Industrial Extension is getting to visit manufacturers across the Mountain State. Last year alone, I toured more than 50 different facilities, and the variety is incredible.

Take Form Energy in Weirton, for example. Their 550,000-square-foot plant was completed in the summer of 2024, and it’s… well, let’s just say it’s nearly impossible to walk through without saying “shiny,” “new,” or “high-tech.” I dare you to try.

Now, drive twenty minutes down Route 2 and you’ll land at Warwood Tool in Wheeling. They were established in 1854, with some of their original machines still cranking out hammers and crowbars like it’s 1910. Even with the technology they’ve recently added, it’s a masterclass in heritage craftsmanship.

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