Final beam raised at Form Factory One | News, Sports, Jobs

Celebrating a milestone — Form Energy President and Chief Operating Officer Ted Wiley (left) and Form Factory Vice President Sufjan Hariri Thursday morning at Form Factory One in Weirton. He welcomed those who had gathered to celebrate the final beam raising. — Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Form Energy Inc. celebrated the end of one chapter and the beginning of another Thursday as the iron-air battery maker approaches the start of operations in Weirton later this year.

Company officials, members of the construction team, and other guests gathered at the Form Factory One site for a “topping out ceremony” to mark the installation of the final steel frame. This marks a milestone in the development of the facility, which is expected to accommodate 750 people. Bringing new jobs to the region.

“It's been a journey to get to this point,” said Ted Wiley, Form Energy's president and chief operating officer. “We searched all over the country for a location to build Foam's first factory. We couldn't be happier and feel more fortunate that we decided to choose Weirton as Foam's new home. .”

According to Soufiane Halily, vice president of Form Factory, topping-out ceremonies are often part of a large construction project and help symbolize its completion. Hariri said an evergreen tree was placed on the final beam to celebrate its safe completion and to wish continued connection with nature and good luck to all those working at the facility.

“For us, it also means the importance of bringing manufacturing back to America, and for Weirton, to this community that supports us so deeply,” Hariri said.

Breakthrough — Form Energy officials held a “Breakthrough” ceremony Thursday morning at Form Factory One in Weirton to celebrate the raising of the final beam. Evergreen trees were planted on the beams, reflecting the old architectural tradition, and below them were the flags of the United States, West Virginia, and Form Energy. The beam was also signed by many of the tradesmen and Form Energy employees involved in the project. — Craig Howell

Form Energy held a groundbreaking ceremony for Form Factory One on May 26th, and the first steel was pulled onto the site on July 21st.

“Seven months ago, it was a huge piece of land with the remains of an old steel mill,” Hariri said of the property.

Since then, more than 700 earth piles have been brought in to level the site, more than 3,000 tons of steel have been erected, more than 300,000 square feet of concrete has been poured, and the roof and exterior walls have been installed.

“We all intend to have this factory up and running soon,” he said, adding that many doubted whether the company would be able to follow such an advanced schedule.

Hariri praised the dedication and energy of the staff involved in the development and construction of the factory, and expressed his gratitude to the various companies and partners who have and continue to participate in the project.

The beam, which was raised Thursday morning, included the signatures of many vendors and partners.

While raising the beam was an important milestone, Wiley said work will continue to move forward.

“We plan to land the assembly equipment in the next few weeks,” Wiley said. “That’s when you really move from construction to manufacturing.”

Wiley said the plan is to move the equipment on site in the spring and early summer and begin operations in the middle or second half of this year.

Top Out wasn't the only event the company hosted Thursday.

The second hiring event was held at the Millsop Community Center, and officials noted that most of the interview slots had already been filled during the previous hiring event on Jan. 4.

“You can see the quality of people coming in is incredibly high,” Wiley said. “Weirton has a heart and a hard worker, and he's a guy who knows how to build things.”