Manufacturer’s onshoring efforts bring 45 new jobs to the Northeast Ohio Region
CeramFab / WYG Refractories, makers of ceramic fiber materials and refractory brick for the steel, aluminum, foundry, appliance, HVAC and other industries, has announced plans to add 45 new jobs to its manufacturing and fabricating operations in East Palestine. The growth is the result of the company’s strategic plan to onshore production of several high demand products.
“CeramFab / WYG Refractories are steadily moving forward with establishing two major manufacturing operations in East Palestine,” said Edwin Wang, President of CeramFab / WYG Refractories. “The support of JobsOhio, Team NEO and Columbiana County will assist us in completing the installation of production lines of high-quality refractory insulation materials. It is our strong and determined commitment that we will run our business with highest integrity in this local community and create new jobs for area residents.”
Citing the Northeast Ohio Region’s proximity to markets and business-friendly environment, CeramFab / WYG Refractories executives worked on these expansion plans with an economic development team comprised of the Columbiana County Port Authority, Ohio Development Services Agency, JobsOhio and Team NEO.
“Our slogan has been ‘Come Grow With Us,’ and CeramFab / WYG Refractories’ expansion and job creation exemplify the kind of sustainable economic growth we welcome here in Columbiana County,” said Penny Traina, CEO and executive director of Columbiana County Port Authority. “We look forward to the company’s future endeavors as they continue to grow. A special thanks to our partners JobsOhio and Team NEO, because our team effort has been truly effective in supporting CeramFab / WYG Refractories and other growing businesses here.”
Team NEO CEO Bill Koehler said, “Likewise, we are grateful for the opportunity to work with such committed partners to help CeramFab / WYG Refractories and other high-potential businesses thrive. This manufacturer supports many companies, in a variety of industries, both within and beyond the Northeast Ohio Region; we appreciate their value as an employer as well. As we look to the future, companies like CeramFab / WYG Refractories will be leading the way to our economic strength.”
About CeramFab / WYG Refractories
CeramFab, Inc., established 11/30/2017, and WYG Refractories LLC, established 10/15/2020, are the two sister companies affiliated to CeramSource, Inc., which is a wholesale business supplying refractory insulation materials to high temperature industries for over 20 years. On that solid foundation, the owner of CeramSource Edwin Wang is now creating two new plants, CeramFab to fabricate ceramic fiber materials and WYG Refractories to manufacture Mag carbon bricks, in East Palestine, OH. Both new businesses will become a valued member of our community for a long time to come. Currently Edwin is in the process of repairing and renovating the two existing old buildings and installing and setting up production lines of vacuum forming Ceramic Fiber Products and pressing Mag-Carbon Bricks. He hopes to have both plants in full operation by the end of 2021. CeramFab facility, purchased in December of 2018, is located on Taggart St. in East Palestine and WYG Refractories facility, purchased in May of 2020, is located on James St. also in East Palestine. Edwin together with all CeramFab/WYG Refractories staff are working hard to bring new jobs and economic stability to our area. Edwin would welcome opportunities to work with local companies in East Palestine and the surrounding areas to complete the repair and revitalization of the 2 facilities as well as to provide many of the resources and services to be used in production and the installations/maintenance of the equipment. Please visit www.ceramfab.com and www.wygrefractories.com for more details on the two facilities and upcoming product information.
About Team NEO
Team NEO is a private, nonprofit economic development organization accelerating business growth and job creation throughout the 18 counties of the Northeast Ohio Region. As the designated JobsOhio Network Partner, we align and amplify local economic development efforts in the region’s 18-counties; we conduct research and data analysis to inform local conversations and influence solutions; we market the Northeast Ohio Region; and we work to increase access to jobs, education and training for the region’s 4.3 million people. We do this to build a more vibrant regional economy; one that is more talented, equitable, competitive, innovative, resilient and prosperous. For more information, visit teamneo.org.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.