Appalachian Log Structures
BY BLAIR DOWLER . In 1978 , Fletcher Parsons , a pioneer in the wood preservation industry , answered the need for refined , durable quality and the unique construction of log structures for housing and commercial use by establishing Appalachian Log Structures .
The company , with 22 employees between the corporate headquarters in Ripley , WV , and the manufacturing facility in Princeton , WV , manufactures log home kits , as well as maintenance products , siding and railing . Dedicated to beautiful craftsmanship , Appalachian Log ships 60-70 percent of its products out of state and exports to countries like Mexico , Canada , Japan and Australia .
The company is strategically situated in the Appalachian Mountain range , where Eastern White Pine trees grow naturally and abundantly . The family-owned and operated business uses timber from these trees harvested along the West Virginia-Virginia border .
In addition to strong West Virginia roots , there ’ s something else that separates Appalachian Log Structures from the rest of the industry : it pressure treats its products with wood preservatives made with borate , a natural mineral that protects wood from water and insect damage , giving it longer-lasting capabilities .
Appalachian Railcar Services
CMI Corporation
BY ALICIA ELKIN . CMI Corporation prides itself on creating highquality products and bringing jobs to the Mountain State . After several ownership changes and headquarter moves , the company found its home in Franklin , WV , where it focuses on enhancing its designing , manufacturing and selling of rock climbing hardware .
For 12 years , CMI operated out of CEO Ronald Kirk Jr .’ s West Virginia home basement until it erected its original building in 1990 , which has expanded seven times and grown to over 30,000 square feet . CMI has increased from $ 80,000 in sales per year to more than $ 3 million , and it now employs 22 West Virginians .
“ When I began designing our product line , my sons were young , and I took them climbing with me ,” says Kirk . “ I designed our products from the standpoint that I would hang my own sons ’ lives on them .”
Over the past 53 years , CMI ’ s products have evolved from strictly rock climbing hardware to rope-related safety hardware . CMI ’ s products can be found in fire departments ; hospitals , where they are used for therapeutic apparatus adjustment ; and the zip line industry . These West Virginia-made products were also utilized during 9 / 11 relief efforts .
BY BLAIR DOWLER . Established in 2000 , Appalachian Railcar Services ( ARS ) is a dynamic and growing rail services organization serving customers throughout the country . Its services include railcar maintenance , mobile repair , track repair , railcar storage , coal loading and unloading , plant switching , short line operation and trucking services .
Founded by Kurt and Trina Higginbotham , the idea for ARS stemmed from Kurt ’ s 15 years of experience with railcars , a love for his home state of West Virginia and the dream of owning his own business .
“ For me , the key thing was that I felt like I could do this work just as well as the other railcar companies and give the work more attention ,” Kurt , the president and CEO , says of the decision to start ARS . “ I felt I could focus on our customers better than the people I worked for .”
ARS , which was built on the determination to do the job right , began as a two-person operation with an office in St . Albans ,
Photo by David Duncan .
WV . Today , with corporate headquarters in Eleanor , WV , and approximately 600 employees , ARS operates in multiple locations across 16 states : Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Iowa , Indiana , Kentucky , Maryland , Nebraska , North Carolina , Ohio , Tennessee , Texas , Utah , Virginia , West Virginia and Wisconsin .
Facilities in each of these locations vary between full-service locations , private accounts and mobile service units ready for jobs in short order . ARS can service every type of railroad car , including general freight , box , coal and tank cars .
“ We grew ARS from a little mom-andpop company to a national footprint ,” says Kurt . “ We never dreamed we would get to this level . We started out moving coal on a little short line for Kanawha Eagle Coal with just the two of us , and it exploded after that . Our employees are the key to our success . It ’ s a team effort , and we have always strived to take care of our employees and our customers . Everything else kind of falls in place .”
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM SPRING 2017 83