Chronicle photo by Toni Milbourne A display of how rocks are turned into stone-wool insulation was set up last Friday to show Jefferson County Chamber members exactly what Roxul does to create their product.

CHARLES TOWN – Officials with Roxul, a Denmark-based corporation set to open a facility in Ranson, met with members of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 16 to provide a bit of history of their company, as well as a look ahead at what is in store for Ranson and Jefferson County.

Vice President Peter Regenberg was joined by Leslie McLaren, communications and government affairs manager for the company, as they explained how Roxul decided to locate in this area. Roxul, they shared, is a world leader in noncombustible stone wool insulation products. The plant coming to Ranson will be located on the former Jefferson Orchard property off old W.Va. 9. The 150-acre parcel will house a plant that will provide up to 150 jobs for individuals in the area.

Regenberg explained that all products are generated from rock. The product, he said, provides passive fire protection because it does not burn.

The parent company, Rockwool International, is headquartered in Denmark with a North American headquarters in Ontario, Canada. The company operates 28 factories on three continents. In North America, Roxul is the leading manufacturer of stone wool insulation products. The residential version of the products can be found in the local Home Depot, Regenberg said.

In addition to residential items, the company produces extensively for commercial facilities such as schools and hospitals.

The new plant in Ranson is projected to open in early 2020. In addition to the jobs created specifically at the plant, Regenberg said he estimates that about $5 million will be generated through secondary jobs to support the local economy.

Work has begun at the Roxul property as the company works to put all essential infrastructures in place. Currently, the addition of adequate sewer and water infrastructure is underway. A new state road will be added, Regenberg said as he showed a slide of the property, for possible future expansion.

McLaren said the company hopes to have their general contractor in place early in the new year so that the next steps toward construction of the plant can begin.

In addition, the company plans to host job fairs beginning in the new year, to start the hiring process of up to 30 management and 120 skilled worker positions.

The Ranson facility will be Roxul’s second large-scale investment in the United States.