By Craig Howell, The Weirton Daily Times
WEIRTON, W.Va. — Trial production is ready to get under way at Form Factory 1.
Form Energy, which has been constructing its first high-volume iron-air battery production facility in Weirton for the last year, welcomed invited guests and dignitaries Thursday to celebrate the completion of construction and the start of trial production.
“I’m looking out across a sea of people. Every single person that’s in the room today, you are here because you played an important role in helping us reach this moment, right now,” said. Ted Wiley, chief operating officer and co-founder. “It’s a group of people who believed in us when it counted, and, for that, I thank you.”
Wiley recalled being tasked a few years ago with locating a site for the factory, noting they were looking for a place with access to river and rail transportation, as well as nearby highways and airports, top universities and a skilled workforce.
The company screened more than 500 sites in 16 states, visiting more than 20 locations before selecting Weirton.
