Enviro Tech buys assets of Farr Manufacturing in W.Va.

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin announced that Enviro Tech International Inc. has acquired the assets of Farr Manufacturing and Engineering, a move that keeps the West Virginia plant open and preserves more than 40 manufacturing jobs in Williamstown.

“We congratulate Enviro Tech owners Larry Clark and Ted LaMantia for recognizing the business opportunity in purchasing Farr Manufacturing,” Governor Manchin said. “Farr Manufacturing has been a productive part of Wood County for more than 20 years. We appreciate Enviro Tech’s timely purchase that allows this facility to keep its doors open. This event today celebrates the retention of more than 40 good manufacturing jobs in the state, and the planned creation of 25 to 50 additional jobs.”

Illinois-based Enviro Tech manufactures solvents and degreasers that are used as the cleaning solvents for the degreasing equipment produced by Farr Manufacturing. FARR Manufacturing Division of the ETI Corporation will continue to produce vapor degreasing systems, solvent recovery systems, aqueous cleaning systems, heat treating furnaces and other industrial equipment, said Enviro Tech president Larry Clark.

“Our intent is to retain jobs in the Williamstown community,” Clark said. “In fact, based on our plan to offer a new line of proprietary cleaning equipment in the near future, we should actually increase employment opportunities in Williamstown.”

Founded in 1985, Farr Manufacturing had been a successful growing company until encountering financial hardships that led to its filing for bankruptcy in 2005. Enviro Tech purchased specific pieces of equipment from Farr Manufacturing at the Williamstown, W.Va., and Bowling Green, Ky., facilities.

Enviro Tech had been a customer of Farr Manufacturing and was familiar with its quality product line, said Keith Burdette, executive director of the Wood County Area Development Authority.

“When Farr fell into financial difficulties, Enviro Tech decided to make this purchase,” Burdette said. “Enviro Tech’s action saved over 40 manufacturing jobs in this state.”

Clark said, “We have been extremely impressed with and very grateful for the support and assistance that has been provided by the governor and the development agencies within West Virginia. We look forward to a mutually rewarding association with the people and government of this business-friendly community.”

Enviro Tech produces the EnSolv line of non-hazardous replacement solvents for chlorinated and other hazardous degreasing/cleaning agents used in industry. The primary markets served are aerospace, metal working, metal finishing, oxygen service, electronics, non-destructive inspection, medical devices, optics and asphalt extraction industries.