| Article: |
CRU is hailing the results of its first World Wire & Cable Conference, held June 10-12 in Paris, noting that its program drew nearly 300 delegates from 36 countries.
Calling the event “a great success,” the organizers reported that the conference drew attendees from Europe, North America and Asia as well as some 17 market analysts, not including CRU personnel. The keynote speakers were Prysmian Cables and Systems CEO Valerio Battista and General Cable Corporation CEO and President Greg Kenny.
The focus for the first day was the theme “Creating Value and managing Risk.” Presentations included one by CRU CEO Mike Barden, an edited version of which will be presented in the September WJI.
The second day featured three parallel tracks, covering power cables, OEM cables and fiber optic cables, which was made in KMI’s “Conference within a conference.”
The power cables track, chaired by General Cable’s Roddy Macdonald, included presentations by Mark Fraser, CRU, Anand Agarwal, Sterlite Optical Technologies; Zhang Xiusong, SECRI; Jose Orella Saenz, Iberdrola; Pierre Argaut, Silec Cable; Dion Metzemaekers, NKT Cables Group; Hans Nieman, Prysmian Cables; and Dr. Jeremy Hodge, BASEC.
OEM cable topics included harness design, impact of changing vehicle demand and migration of production to low-cost locations as well as new products, evolution of magnet wire and a panel discussion on cable for the onshore oil and gas industry.
KMI used to be known for its annual Newport fiber optic conference, and others, but hard times in the field ended them. CRU bought KMI and revived the conference, which included presentations by Draka Comteq, Hereaus, YOFC, Sterlite and KMI. The gist was that the optical fiber market is stronger today but the big question remains the ever-important balance between supply and demand.
The 2008 conference will be held June 1-3 in Europe. For more information, e-mail Glynn Stainthorpe at glynn.stainthorpe@crugroup.com. |
