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April 17, 2000
ROCKEFELLER CELEBRATES EXPANSION OF K.S. OF WEST VIRGINIA
RAVENSWOOD —U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) was in Ravenswood today to celebrate the expansion of K.S. of West Virginia. The company recently built a new warehouse that is ready for operation. Rockefeller also announced that the company is working with steel companies to begin buying American-made steel.
Rockefeller said, "I am extremely proud to be here today celebrating the expansion of K.S. of West Virginia. K.S. has played a very important role in West Virginia's economy. When the company opened in West Virginia in 1995, just two Japanese companies called our state home. Today, we are honored to have 17 Japanese firms thriving in our state, creating good paying jobs that support both families and communities."
"It is also wonderful to announce that K.S. is working with Allegheny Ludlum Steel and Ulbrich Stainless Steel Company to provide raw materials to the plant here in Jackson County. This is tremendous news and a measure of Mr. Kato's ingenious leadership," Rockefeller continued.
K.S. of West Virginia Co. Ltd, (KSWV) performs metal stamping and assembly of small precision stainless steel parts for the automotive industry. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Katoh Seisakusho Co. Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan, KSWV was incorporated as a West Virginia corporation on October 12, 1995. In 1999, KSWV expanded its operation to include plastic injection molding. The company currently employs 115 full-time workers.
"The Kato family's enthusiasm and excitement about West Virginia is unmistakable and contagious. West Virginia has a valuable ally and a good friend in Mr. Kazuo Kato. On behalf of us all, I would like to say thank you for your tireless work for your adopted state," Rockefeller said.
"At the same time we are celebrating the success of K.S. We must be mindful of the pain that families from American Alloys down the road are suffering. Just as I have worked hard to assist K.S., I am working equally as hard for American Alloys. Let there be no mistake -- each job lost at American Alloys and each family that is hurt is a blight on us all. We must continue to work together to resolve the matter and get those people back to work," Rockefeller stated.
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