Constellium Won West Virginia Manufacturing Competition
The state's top manufacturing honor recognizes the local producer behind aluminum parts for the Artemis II rocket.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Constellium secured the title in the inaugural Coolest Thing Made In West Virginia competition, which was sponsored by the West Virginia Manufacturer's Association. The company was recognized for manufacturing aluminum plates utilized in the Artemis II rocket mission.
Why it matters
The competition serves to showcase regional industrial capabilities and the high-tech components produced by local manufacturers for national aerospace projects. Highlighting these achievements helps build awareness for West Virginia's niche manufacturing talent.
The competition drew more than 3,200 votes for its five finalists, including established entities like the 150-year-old Warwood Tool Company. Constellium emerged as the winner for its role in the Artemis II project.
The players
Constellium
A global aluminum products manufacturer that operates a key production site in Ravenswood, West Virginia.
West Virginia Manufacturer's Association
An industry trade group that supports the state's industrial sector and sponsored the statewide manufacturing competition.
Warwood Tool Company
A long-standing regional tool manufacturer that has operated in the state for 150 years.
The details
The competition narrowed nominees down to five finalists before the West Virginia Manufacturer's Association conducted a public voting process to determine the winner. Constellium operates a manufacturing site in Ravenswood that produced aluminum plates for the Artemis II mission. The final announcement took place at Blue Ridge Community & Technical College.
Timeline
Artemis II launched in April 2026.
The competition winner was announced on October 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
This event marks the launch of the inaugural Coolest Thing Made In West Virginia competition, establishing a new annual benchmark for the state's manufacturing sector. It follows a pattern of state-level industry contests designed to promote regional technical contributions.
Manufacturers should view such competitions as opportunities to increase brand visibility and highlight supply chain integration with major aerospace projects. Future nominees should track the West Virginia Manufacturer's Association for the next call for entries to leverage public interest.
The takeaway
The competition highlights how local manufacturers can elevate their profile by tying specialized products to high-visibility national initiatives. Operators should monitor the association's updates for the next cycle to plan their own nomination strategy.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's industrial sector at Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
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