On Wednesday, October 23, 2019, leaders and community members gathered at the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Training (CCAT) at the Commonwealth Crossing mega-site in Henry County, Virginia for a highly anticipated foreign direct investment (FDI) economic development announcement.  

Advanced Revert LLC is a newly-created Virginia business to be located in the Ridgeway area of Henry County, Virginia.  According to a press release issued by Henry County, Advanced Revert LLC “plans to invest approximately $5M in property and equipment along with plans to hire over 30 employees over the next few years.” 

“[Advanced Revert] goes well with our international theme. We have several international companies. A lot of folks may not think we have that here in Henry County, but we’re proud of that.” Tim Hall, Administrator, Henry County.  

Advanced Revert LLC is an entrepreneurial joint-venture between two companies based in Sheffield, England, called Advanced Alloy Services Ltd. led by Stephen Hall and Revert Alloys & Metals Ltd. led by Andrew Skinner. In the new operation, Stephen Hall will serve as the President and Skinner as the Vice President of Commercial.   

Skinner was first introduced to business opportunities in Southern Virginia when he participated in a tour of various industrial sites throughout the region in April 2019.  

 “I came on a trade mission in April, and again I just fell in love with the place. It’s simple. It’s everything we wanted,” said Andrew Skinner, Vice President of Commercial, Advanced Revert LLC. 

In addition to generating new jobs and capital investment, the new company will enhance the existing cluster of metals-based manufacturing and distribution companies located in the Southern Virginia region.  

According to the Advanced Revert LLC website, the company will leverage “unparalleled experience, reputation, knowledge and capabilities of supplying high temperature metals and superalloy revert for a global market… Advanced Revert LLC will be able to offer a full range of revert management services including collection, testing and grading, processing and delivery of furnace ready certified superalloy revert.” 

Location, location, location 

Advanced Revert’s ability to serve US companies will be enhanced by its strategic location in Southern Virginia.  

“Geographically, it makes total sense to us. You are close to [the Port of Virginia]. It’s a wonderful location to distribute our products from,” said Skinner.  

Business-friendly environment 

Southern Virginia’s low cost of business and general business-friendly environment also influenced Advanced Revert’s decision to locate here.  

“It could not have been any more business friendly. Everybody we met is a very positive person. They’re always forward thinking.  They’re so happy to talk to you and engage with you. Everyone in general is just really happy that you are here. It’s breathtaking,” said Skinner.  

World-class metals-based manufacturing workforce  

Another key factor in Advanced Revert choosing Southern Virginia is the availability of workers.  

“I’ve worked economic development in Asia, Europe, Middle East and here. I’ve never worked anywhere else with such developed metals-based manufacturing workforce. It truly is a world class workforce,” said Joe Anwyl, FDI Consultant to Invest Southern Virginia. 

Anwyl is referencing the network acclaimed advanced manufacturing and technology programs throughout the Southern Virginia region that enable high school and community college students along with incumbent workers to master Industry 4.0 skills including mechatronics, precision machining, welding, fabrication, code writing and CAD design.  

Expertise in launching foreign-based companies  

Advanced Revert is the fourth UK company to select Henry County for a US location. This was celebrated by the UK flag flying next the American flag on the day of the announcement at CCAT.  

“Every announcement is important. But, to have another international company and our fourth UK company says a lot about our ability to help first-time US companies,” Mark Heath, President and CEO of Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation.   

“International companies moving to the US for the first time have a lot of questions, a lot of moving parts. We’ve sort of developed a knack at how to help people navigate those waters and help them get here and get open,” said Heath.  

Collaboration among economic development partners 

Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation, The Harvest Foundation, Henry County, and American National Bank & Trust Company each played critical roles in securing this foreign direct investment opportunity for the region.  According to the Henry County press release, Advanced Revert did not seek a “traditional incentive package” through state grants. Instead, the company‘s “preference was to work directly with American National Bank due to the nature of their worldwide business model. The [Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation] and the Harvest Foundation will make funding assistance available as the company progressed toward its initial goals of capital investment and employment targets.”  

“The overriding thing is the amount of support we’ve had an encouragement we’ve had to come to this region. It has been absolutely mind–blowing. It’s been fantastic,” said Stephen Hall, President, Advanced Revert LLC. 

If your international business is looking for advanced manufacturing business opportunities and is ready to explore locations in the US, please contact Joe Anwyl at joe@anwyl.com or +44 (0) 7875 385803 to discuss business expansion opportunities in Southern Virginia.