Cabinet manufacturer plans to expand West Virginia facility, add 80 new jobs

A prominent kitchen cabinet manufacturer plans to add 80 jobs and invest $30 million at its West Virginia facility.

American Woodmark Corporation announced Monday it will expand its South Branch manufacturing center in Moorefield, West Virginia.

The publicly traded company plans to add 100,000 square feet and boost its South Branch employment to 655 total workers. The 80 new jobs will be full-time with benefits.

The expansion is expected to be complete by fall 2015, said Max Caldas, American Woodmark vice president of marketing strategy.

In a previous push to expand the facility, American Woodwark added 187 jobs, said state Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette.

The company worked with the state Development Office and Hardy County Rural Development Office to grow.

"American Woodmark is a great example of a national company that's succeeding in our state's vastly improved business climate," Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said in a news release. "And the best news is that 80 more families will enjoy the benefits of steady, good-paying jobs with a first-rate employer."

Burdette said the company qualified for a $700,000 loan for site assistance. The loan is forgivable if job creation and investment marks are met.

Other tax incentives are possible, including workforce training help reimbursable by $2,000 per new employee, Burdette said.

American Woodwork President and COO Cary Dunston said confidence in the housing market recovery factored into the decision to boost West Virginia operations.

"Our decision to expand our capacity is a statement of optimism and confidence in the market, our people and the value proposition of our brands," Dunston said.

The Winchester, Virginia-based company operates nine manufacturing facilities and nine service centers nationwide.