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David Hurd, president of the world’s largest manufacturer of conveyor belts, Fenner Dunlop, signs a lease Monday afternoon securing a location in the Tazewell County Business and Technology Center for his company as Tazewell County Administrator Jim Spencer witnesses the signing. Fenner Dunlop is the fifth corporation located inside the center to date. John Nelson/Bluefield Daily Telegraph. From CART in the News

BLUEFIELD, Va. — A global manufacturing company will begin operations in Tazewell County, officials said Monday.

Fenner Dunlop Conveyor Belting, the world’s largest manufacturer of conveyor belting for mining and industrial applications, will locate at the Tazewell County Business and Technology Center near Bluefield, Va., County Administrator Jim Spencer said.

“To have the largest international developer of conveyor systems right here in Tazewell County — to me that is major,” Spencer said during a press conference that included an official lease signing by the company at the technology center.

“Obviously being in the conveyor belt business, one of our largest markets is coal mining,” David Hurd, president of Fenner Dunlop Americas, said. “So why not have something in the middle of the coal mine industry. To me, if you are going to do research on your product, why not do it in the heart of the industry.”

The company has 13 manufacturing facilities on five continents. Spencer said the company’s conveyor belts are currently used in operation both underground and on the surface, handling materials in a variety of industries and countries. The company will lease about 7,000 square feet at the technology center, which is located adjacent to the 680 acre Bluestone Regional Business and Technology Center.

Hurd, who grew up in a coal mining community north of England, said the company will focus on research and development of conveyor belt monitoring systems at the Tazewell County operation. Spencer said some portions of the company’s research and development will involve a collaboration with the Center for Applied Research and Development at Bluefield State College.

Bruce Mutter, vice president of CART operations at BSC, said the college is looking forward to collaborative efforts involving engineering students and faculty.

“We must work more closely with industry,” Mutter said. “We will have to solve problems that make an immediate impact on the economic engine.”

Bill Rasnick, chairman of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, said the arrival of Fenner Dunlop in Bluefield marks another great day for Tazewell County.

“It’s a great day for Tazewell County and for the Bluestone,” Rasnick said.

Hurd said the company will start out small with about three employees, and between eight to 10 students assisting with cooperative research. The company hopes to expand to between 10 to 20 employees in the near future.

Fenner Dunlop will join several other businesses already located at the technology center, including Blue Wolf Sales and Service, Appalachian Coal Services Inc., Appalachian Coal Construction Inc. and Gress Engineering.