RIBBON CUT – Representatives of Gruppo Fanti were joined by local and state officials and others, Thursday, in celebrating the opening of the new Fanti USA facility in Weirton. — Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Five years of work has opened a new chapter for the Weirton community and an Italian company looking to grow.

Officials with Gruppo Fanti, the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, the city of Weirton and more gathered Thursday to celebrate the opening of Fanti USA, the company’s first manufacturing facility in the United States.

“We believe in the United States,” explained Stefano Fanti, CEO of Fanti Packaging and son of company founder Giorgio Fanti. “We want to grow here.”

Fanti USA represents an investment of approximately $30 million into what had been a vacant building in the Half Moon Industrial Park in Weirton. According to Stefano Fanti, it is the company’s largest expansion project.

Grupo Fanti traces its history to 1945 when Giorgio Fanti, a native of Bologna, Italy, recovered empty tuna cans left by American servicemen who were there as part of efforts to liberate the country during World War II. Fanti studied the cans in an effort to learn how to make them himself, eventually traveling to the U.S. to learn about the production and use of tinplate.

BENVENUTO – Stefano Fanti, CEO of Fanti Packaging and son of Gruppo Fanti founder Giorgio Fanti, was among those addressing those gathered Thursday to celebrate the opening of the company’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facility. Fanti USA, located in the Half Moon Industrial Park in Weirton, will begin production in the coming weeks. — Craig Howell

A few years later, Fanti purchased his first sheet of tinplate, and, in 1963, bought an automated machine to assist in production. Today, the company produces more than 100 million cans for use in various products with facilities in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Nicola De Santis, treasurer and board member of Gruppo Fanti, noted the company began its search for a site in the U.S. in 2018, joining local and state officials in November 2020 to announce plans to locate to the former Signode facility in Weirton, and then celebrate with a ceremonial groundbreaking in March 2022.

“Today, here, we are excited to start this new venture,” De Santis said, adding the company’s appreciation to all those who made it possible.

Fanti USA has a current goal of creating between 40 and 50 jobs, with De Santis pointing out approximately 12 area residents who already have been hired and were in attendance Thursday.

“You are not only part of a company,” he said. “You also are part of a team and a family.”

Several of those now employed by Fanti USA spent time recently in Italy, learning directly from the company on how to manufacture its products.

Two production lines are in place at the Weirton location for use in the fabrication of metal cans for paints, varnishes and solvents. Officials have indicated plans include expanding the building and increasing the number of production lines.

Jacob Keeney, executive director of development for the BDC, noted the cooperation needed to bring Fanti to West Virginia.

“This investment today is about partnerships,” he said, noting the combined efforts of local government and development entities, along with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the U.S. Department of Commerce, members of Congress and more. “We’re very fortunate and blessed to have you here.”

Brooke County Commission President A.J. Thomas called it “a turning point in the economic landscape of our community.”

“This significant investment will breathe new life into a previously dormant space and serves as a beacon of hope for our local economy,” Thomas said, adding it also serves as a continuing effort to diversify the Upper Ohio Valley, pointing out other recent developments such as Form Energy, Pietro Fiorentini, Pure Watercraft and Bidell Gas Compression. “No single sector should make or break the prosperity of our people or our region.”

Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony included a presentation from Mike Graney, executive director of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, who noted the relationship built between Fanti and West Virginia will continue.

“It’s gotten us this far. It’s going to keep going,” Graney said, while presenting company officials with a gift.

Weirton city officials also presented a gift of American and Italian flags, while other comments were offered by representatives of U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

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