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WAI Centennial Plan presents 4 pillars that will guide the Association’s future

The Report to Members that follows this section describes highlights from 2024, but there also was a significant effort by Association volunteers and staff to position WAI—which this year celebrates its 95th anniversary—to be a responsive body for the industry.

Those efforts led to the creation of the Centennial Plan presented to the WAI’s BoD last October. In it, four pillars were identified as crucial: an Education & Training Center; trade shows & conferences; WJI and WAI media platform; and member users/customers.

Key beliefs of the mission include that wire drawing and extrusion are specific processes that cannot be serviced by other industry associations; that technology, digital platforms and AI are paramount; and that in-person events will remain important to hybrid workforces.

It follows that WAI members and customers will be willing to pay for value, but to provide that the Association must engage Gen Z and millennials by a focus on digital platforms, ESG and sustainability.

That is where the four pillars come in. WAI’s focus is on becoming the industry’s preferred training resource and those are the pillars.

For education and training, it is transferring content from its Fundamental’s course, an advanced extrusion course and deploying an industry-specific Learning Management System.

For trade shows and conferences, WAI will deliver high-value content that informs and engages the industry, the goal being to increase attendance and support the training program.

For WJI and media platform, it will provide a digital presence that supports the magazine and training program with a new website.

For membership/customers, the goal is to increase those numbers and establish a revenue stream that funds/maintains the Association’s mission.

The year to come for WAI is both ambitious and exciting. You can expect to see multiple updates here.

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Interwire and Global Continuous Casting Forum see strong support for 2025 staging

It’s still five months away, but the co-located 2025 staging of Interwire and the Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, continues to grow, as thoughtful technical programs as well as the opportunity to network and see the sold-out Interwire show floor provide plenty of incentive. Also, registration is now open for both.

As of press time, some 275 exhibitors from 23 countries have taken more than 100,000 sq ft of floor space at Interwire, and an expansion is already underway. Full details on Interwire—both the conference and trade exposition—are now available on the event website; www.interwire25.com. That same website also includes program details for the GCCF and WAI’s day-long  Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course.

In its February issue, WJI will again publish prequels of Interwire and GCCF. The prequels will include a look at key elements of the co-located events. That includes information on two notable keynote speakers that promise to be especially compelling: Andrea Pirondini, CEO, Prysmian North America, and Chris Tuff, the best-selling author of the Millennial Whisper, who has been described as “a leader for leaders.

Hotel accommodations can be secured at EventSphere (www.evensphere.com), the lone official hotel provider of Interwire 2025. The Association does not encourage booking hotel reservations through any other source as third-party companies that contact you may misrepresent themselves as the official housing provider.

The technical programs for both events have been filled, and highlights will be presented in the February prequel. Of note, the GCCF will open with a tour. The GCCF planning committee has been working for seven months planning the four-day event. They have arranged for a special start for the event: a tour of the newly built Aurubis Richmond LLC operation in Augusta, Georgia. The $800 million hydrometallurgical facility was designed to recycle insulated copper cables, printed circuit boards and other metals without the need for a traditional smelter. It was designed to annually process more than 180,000 tons of  such materials.

Planning Committee Chairman Chris Tucker joined fellow committee member Richard Baker to visit with the Aurubis leadership and plan for the tour. Tucker credits Baker for securing the tour, which he considers a perfect start to the conference. The tour will occur as the operation is staging into operation and both Baker and Tucker described this as a once-in-a-career opportunity to see such a massive operation come to life.

Attendees need to indicate at the time of registration that they want to participate on this day-long tour on Monday, May 12. The tour of this unique site is limited to 100 individuals, so registering early is encouraged to secure a place on the tour.

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Last modified on January 2, 2025

New hires, promotions and an obituary

Tom Herd has joined Radcliff Wire as vice president of sales and marketing. He previously led similar teams for several companies that supply engineered products and components to OEMs and manufacturers in several key industrial markets including automotive, aerospace, and medical. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He replaces Scott Kirkpatrick, who joined the company in 2003, and has retired. Based in Bristol, Connecticut, Radcliff Wire  manufactures custom shaped wire for industries including aerospace, automotive and others.

Italy’s SAMP announced a series of organizational changes that have taken effect. Reporting to SAMP CEO Jouni Heinonen, will be: Mattia Baccini, vice president, who will lead the Global Machine Division, overseeing operations (Bentivoglio, Italy. Changzhou, China. and Cortinovis do Brasil, Brazil); Davide Pasqualotto, vice president, will lead the Global Customer Service Division, providing rapid response and tailored solutions and building lasting customer relationships worldwide; Valentina Pozzobon, vice president, will lead the Group’s Corporate Functions, driving strategic initiatives and sustainable growth to ensure operational excellence and financial strength, and building robust corporate infrastructure to support global expansion and market leadership. Based in Bentivoglio, Italy, SAMP supplies a wide range of equipment for wire and cable production.

 Prysmian has announced a new organizational structure  that will see the following people designated as follows. Under Business Segments: transmission will be led by Raul Gil, a neLw appointment; power grid will be led by Cinzia Farisè; electrification will be led Cristiana Scelza; and digital solutions will be led by Frederick Persson. Under Regions, North America will be led by Andrea Pirondini; Europe will be by Marcello Del Brenna, a new appointment; ATAM will be led by Giacomo Sofia, a new appointment; MEART will be led by Erkan Aydogdu; and APAC will be led by Hamavand Shroff. Under Operations and Group Functions, operations will led by Javier Arata, a new appointment; finance, administration, control and IT will be led by Pier Francesco Facchini; HR and organization will be led by Francesco Tutino; strategy & M&A will be led by Iuri Longhi; sustainability, investor relations and communication will be led by Maria Cristina Bifulco; risk management and compliance will be led by Alessandro Nespoli; corporate affairs will be led by Jacopo Zirulia; innovation and R&D will be led by Srinivas Siripurapu; and internal audit will be led by Paola Pulidori. Based in Italy, Prysmian is the world’s largest wire and cable company.

Nader Saad has been named CFO of TiniFiber®. He is tasked with driving the company’s strategic initiatives, including expanding its product portfolio, enhancing its presence in the North American market and advancing its innovative technology. He has more than a decade of experience in senior financial leadership roles. Nader served as CFO and Senior Vice President of Finance at RPM, a leading logistics and supply chain firm operating across North America and Europe. He also held the role of Financial Controller at RJ, a multinational logistics company, and has experience in the fiber optics sector through his tenure at Rocket Fiber. Based in Lindenhurst, New York, TiniFiber® manufactures  patented Micro Armor Fiber™ optical cabling solutions.

Obituary

Prof. Etienne Aernoudt, a prolific technical paper author, researcher and university professor who specialized in steel wire research and won WAI’s 2009 Mordica Memorial Award, died Dec. 6 at age 86.

A native of Belgium, Aernoudt earned an MSc degree in metallurgical engineering and a diploma in nuclear sciences at Catholic University of Leuven (CUL) in 1962. In 1964, he joined Bekaert Steel Wire Corporation (Bekaert) and became manager of its metal forming research center in Zwevegem, Belgium. He left Bekaert and continued his scientific training at the Westfalische Technische Hochschule, where he earned his PhD degree in sciences in 1966. He later returned to Bekaert. He started doing research work at CUL, where he was an assistant professor. In 1970, he became an associate professor, working in the Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at CUL. In 1974, he became a full professor, and in 1987 he was named rector of the Technical University of Leuven, the post he occupied for six years.

While working for Bekaert, Aernoudt was credited for producing the first hair-thin stainless steel fibers (10 micrometer). The scope of his wire research was wide. He dealt with cold deformations and metal texture as well as technological issues as extrusion, powder metallurgy, shape memory alloys, composite materials and biomaterials. He was an author on some 250 papers published in scientific journals about wire theory and technology, and nine books.

Aernoudt served in roles in multiple research organizations, including as chairman of the Metallurgical Society of the Royal Institution of Flemish Engineers (1976-1980); chairman of a working group on Neo-Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy (1982-1987); the International Conference of Textures of Materials (1988–1993), the Flemish Council for Industrial Scientific Research (1988–1991); the General Assembly of the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (1987– 1993); and chairman of a working group of the Royal Belgian Academy Council of Applied Science (1997-1999). He retired from CUL in 2003.

Beyond professional organizations, Aernoudt cooperated closely with colleagues and was praised for having a remarkable capacity for discovering talented people and contributing to their professional development. He was described as a person of powerful intellect, kindness and a very good sense of humor. He was also close to members of WAI’s Poland Chapter, especially Jan Pilarczyk, a retired professor at Częstochowa University who had nominated him for the Mordica Memorial Award in 200

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Last modified on January 2, 2025

Too early to think about golf? No way!

To those who like to plan ahead, to block off time for a “must attend” event, two WAI Chapters would like to help.

The New England Chapter will return to the Tunxis Country Club on Sept. 8, 2025, and the Southeast Chapter will return to the Rockbarn Country Club on Oct. 16, 2025. For more details, visit the home pages of the chapters at wirenet.org or contact WAI Member Services Manager Corey Flynn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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New England Chapter annual meeting on Feb. 6 will be held at the Mohegan Sun

The WAI New England Chapter’s Annual Dinner will return to the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Feb. 6.

The event will again be held this year inside the Cabaret Theatre, starting with the reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the meeting. Registration opens at 5 pm. The program is still being finalized, and the January WJI will have a full preview. The meeting will include the introduction of the 2025 officers, the raffle and the perfect setting to catch up with friends and colleagues. The event remains a key fundraiser for the chapter’s Scholarship Fund, and companies/individuals can help further that goal by becoming a meeting sponsor. Registration is now open through WAI’s event registration system. WAI Chapter members in good standing receive discounted rates.

There will be a review of chapter activity in 2024. Looking back to the last meeting, Jan. 26, Keynote speaker Michelle Dray—creator of the “Getting Unstuck & Leading Fearlessly” program—presented a different focus on personnel. Her 11-week program is designed for women, but she told attendees that it also applied to men. She explained the different signs of “career stuck-ness, and how they were different for industry newcomers (0-five years) or those who have been around longer but also face plateau issues. Her message worked, and she had very good reviews.

One of the highlights was the annual golf tournament on Sept. 11 at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. A total of 135 golfers played, with the Fluorogistx-sponsored team of Jim Elliott and Rick Larson from New England Wire Technologies, and Jim Bliss, Marmon IEI, winning with a score of 60, 12 under par. The chapter’s scholarship fund was also a big winner, as the raffle once again saw members dig deep to support the cause.

Another was the WAI’s New England Chapter annual educational event on Nov. 7 at Accel International’s plant in Cheshire, Connecticut, followed by a networking dinner. Including WAI staff, a total of 46 people from 30 companies took part.

Accel International Holdings CEO and Founder Tony Oh talked to attendees about the company’s history and gave an overview, followed by attendees splitting into small groups to walk through the facility. That was followed by a dinner at Viron Rondo Osteria, where participants enjoyed a networking dinner.

The New England Chapter, the WAI’s largest one, currently has 209 members.

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Chapter scholarship programs continue to provide positive results and message

WAI’s four chapters that offer scholarship programs have reported the winners for 2024. Below are the names of the recipients from the Midwest Chapter and the Ohio Valley Chapter. Of note, scholarship fund raising efforts have found strong support over the years, and not just from members that have a potential recipient.

Lake Cable’s Cooper Runzel said that he is a believer in the Midwest Chapter’s college scholarship program, and he would like to see it evolve more so there is even more support. That could involve sponsorships from outside chapter membership and may focus even more on candidates that intend to pursue careers in industry.

The Ohio Valley, which became the fourth WAI chapter to have a scholarship program, gave out its first-ever award. “The OVC was honored to join the other chapters and award a scholarship to a very deserving individual, Katherine Maxwell,” said Stephen Wright of Blachford Corp. “We look forward to more individuals joining the OVC in order to take part in this scholarship opportunity.”


Midwest Chapter Winners - $1,500:

Jaida Bender is the daughter of Robert Bender, operations manager, Worth Steel & Machinery, Inc. She is attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she majors in nursing.

Jack Dickerson is the son of Peter Dickerson, president, MidWest Wire Works. He is attending Bradley University, where he majors in game design.

Logan Wilson is the son of Margaret Wilson, account executive, ShapedWire-Liberty Steel. He is attending Northern Illinois University, where he majors in mechatronics. 


Ohio Valley Chapter Winner - $1,500:

Katherine Maxwell is the daughter of Tom Maxwell Jr., president, Die Quip Corporation. She is attending the University of Kentucky, where she majors in architecture.

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Last modified on December 17, 2024

Annual New England Chapter’s event proved to be both educational and fun

WAI’s New England Chapter held their annual educational event on Nov. 7 at Accel International’s plant Nov. 7 in Cheshire, Connecticut, followed by a networking dinner. Including WAI staff, a total of 46 people from 30 companies took part.

The host company excelled even before attendees set off for a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s cutting-edge wire drawing technology. There was a half-hour reception in the lobby of Accel, which provided gourmet snacks and a coffee cart from Green Kettle Coffee Company, both of which were much appreciated.

Participants were then greeted by Accel International Holdings CEO and Founder Tony Oh, who talked about the company’s history and presented an over-view. Following that presentation, attendees split into small groups to walk through the facility, where staff explained their activities during the 45-minute tour. The company operates three vertically integrated factories in Indiana with nearly 500,000-sq ft of manufacturing space producing silver-plated, nickel-plated and tin-plated copper and copper alloys for the wire and cable market. It also has a fourth plant, in Florida. The company serves fields that include aero-space, medical, telecom and industrial markets.

The New England Chapter presented a $1,000 donation to Accel to go to a charity of its choice. It also wanted to thank Sjogren Industries, which was a sponsor for the event.

Following the tour, the chapter transitioned to nearby Viron Rondo Osteria, where they enjoyed a networking dinner. Participants got to connect with industry peers while enjoying Italian cuisine, proving once again that blending education with networking in a vibrant setting makes for a very good combination. The event ran well and garnered multiple accolades.

“You did an excellent job,” declared John Rivers. “I have known Tony Oh for many years and have never seen him that open about sales and profit margins. The restaurant choice was also excellent. Please extend a job well done to your team.”

“I would like to personally thank Lori Parent for her efforts in coordinating this event with the Accel team, WAI staff and Viron Rondo,” said Chapter President Ryan Cabray, Alphagary. “It was a wonderful evening, and the event exceeded all expectations.”

“Thank you to (WAI’s) Corey Flynn for supporting the orchestration of this event, working with Lori on key details, Accel and the restaurant,” said Tom Rosen, Wire & Cable Consulting, LLC.

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Jan. 29th WAI webinar will explain the scope and range of new online training

Want to know what exactly the Association has been working on for more than a year? The WAI’s Education Committee will host a virtual “Open House” that has a theme: Explore the Future of Industry Training.

The zoom webinar will be held at 11 am EST on Jan 29, 2025. The industry is invited to join this exclusive webinar that will showcase the Wire Association International’s new learning platform. This session will provide a firsthand look at the video-based training courses that are designed to enhance professional development in the wire and cable industry. The platform makes learning accessible, engaging and impactful with features like expert-crafted content, 3D animations, and flexible on-demand access.

“Whether you’re an industry veteran or newcomer, this demo will show how our tools can elevate your skills and knowledge,” said John Markowski, WAI’s education project manager. The courses provide basic training that would benefit any company with new employees. Registration is free by visiting the Association at www.wirenet.org. A private demo session can be arranged by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and a 15% discount will be offered.  

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Last modified on December 2, 2024

Tech offerings will be a standout next year at both Interwire and GCCF

If you are interested in better understanding the technology that is the heart of wire and cable production, you should be joining your peers at either Interwire or the Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) next year. Much of the attraction will be the traditional WAI programs, but the Atlanta event will see the launching of a new element for the lineup.

“The education program at Interwire has always been a cornerstone of the event,” said John Markowski, WAI’s Education Project Manager. “This year, we’re building on that legacy by introducing a new, hands-on workshop and a more modern conference experience.”

WAI’s Advanced Extrusion Workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at Southwire’s new training facility. Limited to 50 participants, this hands-on program will deepen attendees’ understanding of extrusion processes, with guidance from experts Rick Chamberlain (retired, Prysmian) and a representative from Southwire. Participants will also engage with extrusion exhibitors back on the show floor.

Interwire 2025 attendees will also notice some changes. “We’re adding a ‘Voice of God’ announcer for key transitions, walk-up music for speakers, and virtual presenter prep sessions before the event,” Markowski said. “These changes aim to streamline the event and create a more engaging atmosphere.”

The Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF), a full-scale conference featuring over 30 sessions, two panels and a facility tour, will run alongside Interwire. This event offers numerous networking opportunities, including an opening reception, awards dinner, and lunches.

At this point, the full schedule for these programs will be released online soon. For the latest updates, visit interwire25.com. Questions about educational programs can be directed to WAI at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

It all starts before the official start of Interwire 2025 with the well-established Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. The full-day program continues to provide a comprehensive introduction to the wire industry, and even there, while the core content remains consistent, small improvements are being made to keep it fresh and relevant, Markowski said.

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Last modified on December 2, 2024

New WAI training platform continues to evolve, will be ready for January launch

As the wire and cable industry evolves, so does WAI’s commitment to education. The Association’s online training platform, set to launch in January 2025, will offer a mix of Association produced courses and third-party content to meet diverse training needs.

“We’re incredibly excited about the breadth of content we’ll have available,” said John Markowski, WAI’s education project manager.” At the platform debut, WAI will offer three in-house-produced courses: Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy, Single Layer Extrusion Overview and Extrusion Applications. These will be complemented by 12 general manufacturing safety courses from a third-party content provider, creating a robust library of resources.

The platform’s development is progressing rapidly. The goal is to complete an online version of the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course in 2025, Markowski said. “This course has long been a foundation of our training efforts and moving it online will allow us to reach even more people.”

 Steve Fetteroll, WAI’s Executive Director, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “We want to ensure that professionals across the industry have access to the best training resources available. This platform is a direct response to the growing demand for flexible, high-quality educational content.”

To support the platform’s launch, WAI’s marketing team is developing an array of promotional materials, including a second video to showcase its features. Also, the Association will host an “open house” webinar on Jan. 29 (see opposite page).

Visit wirenet.org for more details as they will be updated there as the date approaches. Questions about the platform can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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