CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thirty-four West Virginia companies have been recognized with the 2026 Governor’s Export Award for expanding into new international markets. Seven were first-time recipients.
According to Matt Herridge, Secretary of the W.Va. Department of Commerce, the award is presented to companies that made their first export sale to a new country in the previous calendar year.
In total, 130 awards featuring 75 countries were given, showcasing the global competitiveness of West Virginia products and services, he said.
“Entering the global marketplace takes immense courage, but it unlocks unmatched opportunities for our state’s businesses and innovators,” Herridge said.
“These awards honor the employers who refused to let geographic boundaries limit their growth. By taking that bold leap into international trade, they are proving that West Virginia products can compete and win on any stage.”
2026 Governor’s Export Award Recipients
- Baron Blakeslee (Wood County) — Manufacturer of vapor degreasers and industrial cleaning systems.
- Blenko Glass Co. Inc. (Cabell County) — Manufacturer of handcrafted functional and decorative glassware and tableware.
- Caperton Furnitureworks LLC (Morgan County) — Manufacturer of custom wood furniture.
- Christopher Peacock (Hardy County) — Manufacturer of high-quality handcrafted cabinetry for kitchens, bars, pantries, china rooms and bathrooms.
- Cooper Industries (Jackson County) — Manufacturer of industrial blowers and vacuum pumps for continuous-duty air and gas handling applications.
- Cyclops Industries Inc. (Kanawha County) — Manufacturer of Cyclops safety sight glass.
- Die Rise Kill LLC (Kanawha County) — Designer and manufacturer of special effects, latex masks, props, and themed attraction designs.
- Direct Online Marketing (Ohio County) — Provider of digital marketing and advertising services.
- Dura-Trac Flooring (Jefferson County) — Manufacturer of elevated and laydown modular flooring systems for events, stadiums, construction, and rapid deployment.
- Echo-Lit (Kanawha County) — Seller of educational and inspirational classroom artwork.
- ECS Brands (Mercer County) — Producer of personal and health care products.
- Greenbrier Smokeless Coal Mining LLC (Greenbrier County) — Producer of mid-volatility metallurgical coal for steel manufacturing applications.
- Highland Industries (Fayette County) — Manufacturer of shuttle cars used in underground mining.
- Huntington Drum Co. (Cabell County) — Producer of steel and plastic drums, IBC totes and fire extinguisher containers.
- Industrial Bolting Technologies Inc. (Kanawha County) — Manufacturer of hydraulic torque tools.
- Intercontinental Export Import Inc. (Wood County) — Manufacturer of plastic resins and off-grade/off-spec polymers in the form of regrinds, lumps, chunks, fibers and pellets.
- J.H. Fletcher & Co. (Cabell County) — Manufacturer of custom underground roof bolting machines for the mining industry.
- J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works (Kanawha County) — Manufacturer of salt, spice blends and caramel sauce.
- Kanawha Scales and Systems (Putnam County) — Manufacturer of automated filling equipment, weighing and industrial control systems.
- Lakota Software Solutions Inc. (Marion County) — Developer of biometric software applications and SDKs for identification systems.
- Little Plants (Summers County) — Producer and distributor of over 20 varieties of boxwood.
- Marble King Inc. (Tyler County) — Manufacturer of glass marbles for toys, decorative, flooring and industrial uses.
- Matheny Motor Truck Co. (Wood County) — Manufacturer of heavy-duty commercial truck and fire truck parts and components.
- Metropolitan Executive Dogs (Jefferson County) — Provider of dog training services and breeder of German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois.
- Mountain State K9 (Hancock County) — Provider of specialized tools and equipment for police, military and working K9 units.
- Mull Group (Ohio County) — Producer of galvanized steel strip and custom manufacturing equipment for engineering, construction, oil and gas.
- ND Paper (Marion County) — Manufacturer of pulp, paper, containerboard and graphic paper.
- PureTech Scientific LLC (Kanawha County) — Manufacturer of glycolic acid and glycolic acid derivatives.
- SMR Technologies (Nicholas County) — Manufacturer of de-icing equipment for general aviation aircraft.
- Stockmeier Urethanes (Harrison County) — Manufacturer of polyurethanes for running tracks.
- Tabletop Stronghold LLC (Kanawha County) — Designer of display cases for tabletop miniature games, using magnetic elements to keep delicate models secure during transport.
- TROY Group (Ohio County) — Supplier of MICR toner for checks and government banking, special inks and toners, modified printers, paper and banking software systems.
- W.Va. Great Barrel Co. LLC (Greenbrier County) — Manufacturer of premium new American white oak barrels for use in the aging and storage of distilled spirits, wine, beer and other beverages.
- Zeeospheres Ceramics LLC (Putnam County) — Manufacturer of ceramic microspheres for industrial and specialty applications.
For more information on West Virginia’s export assistance programs, visit the West Virginia Governor’s Export Award.
About the West Virginia Governor’s Export Award
The West Virginia Governor’s Export Award, formally known as the Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry Award, recognizes West Virginia companies that make their first sale to a new foreign country. Administered through the state’s export promotion efforts, the award highlights businesses that expand the reach of West Virginia products and services into international markets.
Recipients receive a commemorative plaque featuring the currency of the country to which they exported, symbolizing their entry into a new global marketplace. Established to encourage international trade and celebrate economic growth, the program has honored hundreds of businesses whose exports have strengthened West Virginia’s economy and demonstrated the competitiveness of the state’s industries worldwide.
About the West Virginia Department of Commerce
The West Virginia Department of Commerce, based in Charleston, West Virginia, focuses on business retention, expansion, and recruitment to enhance the state’s economic well-being. Fostering a pro-business environment positions West Virginia as a premier destination for businesses to thrive and for families to live and work.
West Virginia’s history as an exporter
West Virginia has been an exporter of natural resources and manufactured goods since the nineteenth century, when its abundant timber, salt, coal, and iron industries connected the Appalachian region to national and international markets. The arrival of railroads following the American Civil War accelerated the state’s integration into global trade networks, allowing vast quantities of coal, lumber, and industrial products to reach ports along the Atlantic coast and beyond.
By the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, West Virginia had become one of the nation’s leading producers of bituminous coal, supplying fuel not only to domestic industries but also to foreign markets. Timber harvested from the state’s extensive forests likewise found customers across North America and overseas.
During the twentieth century, West Virginia’s export economy diversified beyond raw materials. Chemical manufacturing in the Kanawha Valley, glass production in the northern counties, and advanced metal, machinery, and aerospace industries expanded the state’s international reach. By the early twenty-first century, exports included chemicals, plastics, automotive components, aircraft parts, and high-value manufactured products destined for markets throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
State and federal trade programs encouraged international business development, while initiatives such as the West Virginia Governor’s Export Award recognized companies that successfully entered new foreign markets. Although coal and other natural resources remain important export commodities, modern West Virginia exporters increasingly reflect a broader economy that combines manufacturing, technology, and specialized industrial expertise.