Marble King, Inc.

Wheeling Jesuit University Office of Global Outreach welcomed Marble King, Inc. on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 as it received the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Certificate from U.S. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan D-W.Va.  “We are extremely proud of Marble King today. Beri Fox's enthusiasm, knowledge and talent are an example for companies to take. In this time of difficulty, Marble King is out there working on being successful,” Mollohan said at the presentation.

The ceremony was held at 5 p.m. in the Erickson Alumni Center, located in the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Participants included: Joseph Hanley, U.S. Commercial Service Mid-Atlantic Network Director, Don Gallion, West Virginia and National District Export Council Chair, and local economic and governmental leaders, including the mayors of Paden City and Sistersville, Bill and Dale Fox.

The EAC is issued by the Director General of the U.S. Commercial Service and recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises that have successfully entered the international marketplace for the first time, or that have successfully entered a new market.

Marble King, located in Paden City, is a manufacturer of high quality glass marbles used as toys, game components, and in industrial applications and owned by Fox, who is the daughter of founder, Roger Howdyshell.

“As a West Virginia business owner I wanted to say thank you to the U.S. Commercial Service, we do really appreciate all the work you do for small businesses…this certificate means the world for all of us at Marble King,” Fox said when receiving the award.

More recently, the company has expanded its product line to include glass “gems” for use in floral arrangements and decorations, glass tiles for home décor use, and most recently, glass jewelry. Their innovations and changes to their product line, coupled with their expansion into additional foreign markets, have helped to keep the company profitable in the face of rising competition from cheap imports from China and the rising cost of natural gas domestically. As a result, one of the last American producers of marbles continues increasing its presence in store shelves and children's hands all around the globe.

“Marble King has a well-established relationship with the U.S. Commercial Service in West Virginia and is an example that companies of any size can find new markets for their products and services globally,” said Diego Gattesco, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Export Assistance Center in Wheeling.

Picture - Congressman Mollohan presented the award to owner Beri Fox. (Congressman Alan B. Mollohan, Marble King owner Beri Fox and Wheeling US Export Assistance Center trade specialist Diego Gattesco at the award presentation.)