Kreinik Manufacturing owner and president Doug Kreinik talks about his business, which was named SBA Exporter of the Year for West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region, during a Thursday Wood County Commission press conference. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
PARKERSBURG – The Forest County Commission recognized a Parkersburg business owner this week by being named the Small Business Administration’s Exporter of the Year for West Virginia and the surrounding region.
“We recently sent shipments to Ukraine and Thailand” Owner and President Doug Kreinik Kreinik Manufacturing Co. Inc. He said at a committee meeting on Thursday. “We sell all over Europe, Asia. I actually have a Russian distributor, but I haven’t served him for over a year because of the Ukraine (war).”
The company manufactures its own line of crafts in everything from needlework and other crafts to fly fishing lures and elaborate costumes for stage and screen.
“We just sent a big order to Warner Bros. in England” Kreinik said, adding that he didn’t know what he had in mind, but speculated that it might happen “Game of Thrones” prequel “The House of the Dragon.” Metallic threads made by the company were previously used as accent dresses in the original series.
Kreinik’s factory on Gihon Road in south Parkersburg employs 24 people, working the knitting machines from midnight to 4:30 am.
“But we are still three months later” Kreinik said, citing demand for products.
In announcing the release of the Mid-Atlantic state and regional awards, SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator John Fleming called Business “A perfect example of the American Dream made a reality.”
“Drive, quick thinking and flexibility have allowed Doug and his employees to not only succeed during the pandemic, but to provide a working product for the frontline workers of the world.” he said, pointing to the company modifying its machines to produce elastic bands. “Kreinik Manufacturing testing can make the difference between getting it and going far.”
Kreinik’s parents opened the business in 1973, with Doug joining in 1983, purchasing the business with his brother in 1988 and taking full ownership in 2008.
Kreinik has used a variety of SBA products and services, the release said, most recently in the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster loan and Paycheck Protection Program loans.
“I met Doug in 2016 when he was named the SBA WV Business Week District Family-Owned Small Business of the Year.” SBA District Director Karen Friel said in a release. “Since then, I’ve seen him multiply (SBA) programs and services, like the Emerging Leaders and State Trade Expansion Programs, to support and grow their businesses, even through the pandemic.”
Kreinik will receive the award May 3 at the SBA West Virginia awards luncheon, the release said.
Wood County Commissioner Bob Tebay invited Kreinik to Thursday’s commission meeting to decide on that “I think it’s important that people know what businesses are doing in their area.”
“I also give you kudos for community involvement.” Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said Kreinik.
In other business, Commission President Blair Couch said commissioners will meet Monday in the Judge Black Annex with representatives of West Virginia American Water to discuss the company’s recent proposal to buy local public districts.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.
