Construction is expected to begin in October this year on the 130-acre site in the City of Ranson, with initial production of ROCKWOOL's stone wool insulation slated to begin in the first quarter of 2020. With a total investment exceeding $150 million US, the new manufacturing facility will cover some 460,000 square feet and employ around 150 people in positions ranging from management levels to the production line.

The Jefferson County production facility will add to the ROCKWOOL Group's already strong presence in North America, where the company has existing manufacturing sites in Marshall County, Mississippi as well as Milton, Ontario and Grand Forks, British Columbia. Further production recently began for ROCKWOOL's acoustic ceiling tile subsidiary Rockfon, at a new production line in Mississippi.

ROCKWOOL Group President and CEO Jens Birgersson comments, "We aim to continue double-digit growth in the United States, and this new factory will play a major role in ensuring we meet the growing customer demand for non-combustible stone wool insulation in this market."

Trent Ogilvie, President of ROXUL, the ROCKWOOL Group's North American subsidiary adds, "This new production site places us close to major population centers in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and mid-western United States.  We're growing along with the market, and we look forward to serving our customers' needs from this new facility."

Ogilvie continues, "We want to thank the State of West Virginia, the City of Ranson, and the Jefferson County Development Authority for the very good collaboration on this significant investment, which will create well-paying jobs for around 150 people.  We're excited to become part of the local business community in Jefferson County."

"West Virginia welcomes Roxul as the newest international member to join our business community," says Governor Jim Justice. "This achievement is the result of the outstanding teamwork between Roxul, our Development Office, the Jefferson Development Authority, Jefferson County Commission and the City of Ranson."

The official groundbreaking is expected in October. Today's announcement is a follow-up on the ROCKWOOL Group's 24 February 2017 statement announcing its intention to purchase land for capacity expansion in the United States, Sweden, and Romania.