SPRINGFIELD TWP, Mercer County — When Gov. Tom Corbett has traveled to other countries, he has given Wendell August Forge items as gifts to foreign officials.

“I know that they have been appreciated,” Corbett said.

He spoke about noon today at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the company’s new, $8 million headquarters.

The 52,000-square-foot building on Route 208 has 40,000 square feet for manufacturing and distribution, 8,000 square feet for office space and 4,000 square feet for retail space.

It replaces the original building, which burned down March 6, 2010.

Company owner Will Knecht said he would not wish a fire on his worst enemy, but said he was amazed by how the building came together.

“It’s been a miraculous ride,” Knecht said.

He said that people told the company that it would be out of business for nine months after the fire. However, it was back up and running in five days.

He thanked the company’s employees for “rolling up their sleeves” and working to get the new building.

In January, the company closed on 12 acres, about a half-mile west of the Grove City Premium Outlets. The company broke ground in March.

The project was helped by a $4 million grant from the state.