Coal Company Moves Headquarters To W.Va.

West Virginia became home today to another corporate headquarters. Gound was broken for the new headquarters building for the International Coal Group. The coal producer is moving its headquarters from Ashland, Kentucky to the Teays Valley Business Park in Scott Depot, W.Va. The company is expected to create 100 new jobs at the facility.

Toyota Plant Still Nation's Tops

The Toyota motor plant in Putnam County continues as one of the corporation's most productive operations, according to a recent study. The plant's 1,003 employees produce four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines faster than any other similar operation in North America.

The plant has held that distinction in the Harbour Report for four-cylinder engines for the past four years and for six-cylinder engines for the past three years. The Harbour Report annually measures productivity in each auto plant and manufacturer in North America.

The West Virginia spirit keeps the Buffalo plant on top, said John Myers, manager of corporate administration at Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia. "The work ethic in people here in West Virginia is tremendous," Myers said. "The sense of accomplishment they get from their achievements is great."

Australian Company Picks W.Va. For North American Subsidiary

An Australia-based company has selected West Virginia as the home for its North American opeations. Quik Corp. Pty Ltd., announced today that the company’s North American subsidiary, Intelli-Spray Inc. will relocate its headquarters from California to the Kanawha Valley, making it the first Australian investment project in the Mountain State.

Intelli-Spray and its parent company, Quik Corp., manufacture a unique range of remote control retractable hose reel systems for invasive and aquatic weed control, mosquito control, horticultural chemical spraying in glasshouses and fire fighting. Intelli-Spray Inc. will locate in the Big Chimney area near I-79, north of Charleston.

Examples of Intelli-Spray’s customers include West Virginia native businesses such as coal companies reclaiming and re-vegetating mining lands, government organizations involved with invasive species and mosquito control, private spray contractors, lawn care professionals and horticultural growers.

Intelli-Spray will begin warehousing and final assembly of their products for North American distribution in 2006, with the long-term goal of establishing manufacturing in the state with involvement from other West Virginia businesses.

DNA Production System To Be Commercialized

Marshall University and the new startup biotechnology company, Vandalia Research Inc., have announced an exclusive licensing agreement to commercialize a patent-pending DNA production system. Vandalia Research Inc. is the first company to emerge from an incubator program initiated two years ago to foster economic growth through university-based scientific research. The system, called Triathlon DNA, provides advanced production capabilities, duplicating DNA 20 to 30 times faster than existing technology.