Hardide Coatings Inc., a U.K.-based provider of advanced surface coating technology, said Jan. 22 that it invested about US$7 million in a new Martinsville, Va.-based manufacturing plant that will provide North America’s oil and gas industry with hard-wearing coatings that extend the life of metal parts in abrasive, corrosive and chemically aggressive environments.

Other customers include aerospace and advanced engineering companies, the company added.

The 26,000-square foot facility in Henry County will be operational in 2015’s fourth quarter, providing 29 jobs in the first three years. The building is currently being fitted out and local recruitment is underway, Hardide said.

Pretreatment, inspection, quality assurance and finishing equipment will be housed in the facility.

“Demand from customers in North America, including leading companies operating in oil and gas exploration and production, valve and pump manufacturing, nuclear, advanced engineering and aerospace industries, is developing well and a local production facility will significantly boost the business available to us,” said Hardide Plc (LONDON: HDD.L) CEO Philip Kirkham.

He added that Martinsville was chosen because “it offers a positive business environment with a central location for the existing and projected customer base and it makes a compelling economic and business case.” Virginia has more than 230 aerospace companies, Hardide said.

“Creating jobs in the advanced manufacturing sector is critical as we work to build a new Virginia economy. I am thrilled to announce these new jobs, which pay well above the average prevailing wage for the region. I had the opportunity to meet with company officials last summer in the U.K. about this project, and we are honored to welcome Hardide Coatings to the Commonwealth’s growing roster of international companies,” said Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.