Brazil’s Aço Cearense Group’s Siderúrgica Norte Brasil (Sinobras) has officially produced the first steel coil at its rolling mill #2 in Marabá, Pará state, Brazil.

A press release said that Sinobras invested in the new mill from Italy’s Danieli to increase its annual production capacity from 380,000 tons to 850,000 tons per year of wire rod and spooled rebar in coils. The mill features an innovative, full cantilever stand configuration with a total of 26 passes. It has 10 cantilever stands arranged in H/V configuration, followed by a series of Delta-type, fast-finishing blocks, with a 45° design, for the remaining 16 passes of the reduction sequence.

The new mill will produce wire rod from 5.5 to 16 mm, and rebar from 6.3 to 16 mm, at a maximum finishing speed of 110 m/s. The project includes a new substation and 230kV transmission line to meet the new electrical load needs of the steel producer and facilitate the use of energy from the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant, of which it is a partner as a self-producer.

Sinobras Industrial Director Milton Lima described the expansion as a transformative moment for the Group. “This achievement represents a significant milestone ... taking us to an even higher level. By doubling the size of Sinobras, we are not only expanding our operations, but we are also transforming our company into a powerhouse, generating new opportunities.

Dominik Endler, who recently retired as global vice president customer & commercial excellence for Bekaert, has started an advisory firm— EndlerPartners—with a focus on manufacturing business-to-business companies.

Endler said that his focus is to help wire and cable manufacturers—especially mid-size companies—that often miss out on significant opportunities due to lack of “commercial performance.” He will share the expertise he gained over his nearly 18 years with Bekaert, where he was responsible for its wire business in North America, including U.S. plants in Arkansas, Kentucky and Ohio.

A German native who works out of Roswell, Georgia, Endler will advise industrial/manufacturing companies in the North American region on commercial strategy and performance. He holds a master’s degree and a PhD in business and administration. He can be contacted at tel. 770-364-2149, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and www.linkedin.com/in/dominik-endler-255a74112/.

The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance, Inc. (WCMA) announced the recipients of its 2024 Distinguished Career Award, who will be honored at the 38th annual Awards Dinner and Investiture Ceremony on April 6, 2024, in Hartford, Connecticut, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott Hotel.

 A press release said that the chosen recipients selected are Tom Artinian, principal, Artinian Group; Larry Bleich, Vice President, R&D, CommScope; Anthony Fedor, product manager, Cable, Times Microwave; David Fisher, president, James Monroe Wire & Cable; Ron Gibson, purchasing manager, Service Wire Co.; Brian Holden, national accounts manager, Carris Reels (retired); Mike Patel, director of marketing, Teknor Apex; and Tom White, president, New England Wire Technologies.

The WCMA Distinguished Career Award recognizes industry leaders and professionals from the electrical and electronic wire, cable, and fiber optic cable industry segments initially established by the former Wire & Cable Clubs. The winners are chosen by a committee of former recipients via a ballot process to consider the person’s character, credibility, and commercial or technical commitment to the cable industry. WCMA Board members make final selections.

To register for the awards dinner, contact IWMA Executive Director Ed Fenton at tel. 860-841-7720, at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to www.wcmainc.org. A short video about the award is available on the website.

More than 130 members and guests attended the annual membership meeting of Wire & Cable Manufacturer’s Alliance, Inc. (WCMA) on Nov. 30, 2023, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott.

During the session, members voted to approve WCMA officers for 2024. The president is Chris Venice, president, Marmon IEI; and the vice president is, Tom Artinian, principal, Artinian Group. The past president is David Fisher, president, James Monroe Wire & Cable; and the Young Professionals Liaison is Sue Welsh, president (retired), Rubadue Wire.

Newly elected Directors are Cheryl Stewart, COO, Quabbin Wire; Shane Berry, vice president manufacturing and distribution, Service Wire; Peter Moran, vice president industrial infrastructure, Marmon IEI; Eric Fisk, CEO, Fisk Alloy; Adam Chase, CEO, Chase Corp.; and Alberto Aguilar, president, Carris Reels. Continuing directors are Greg Smith, CEO, International Wire; and John Dognazzi, managing director, Sikora NA.

 During the luncheon, a popular frequent WCMA speaker, John S. Traynor, executive vice president of Cambridge Trust, presented key economic, political, and manufacturing topics. His insights continue to be much appreciated.

Following that session, more than 60 attendees participated in the inaugural Young Professional Panel Discussion. Panelists David Fisher, president of James Monroe Wire & Cable, and Adam Chase, president & CEO of Chase Corp. discussed “Why Wire & Cable - A Rewarding Career Choice.” The session was hosted by Charles Glew, president of Cable Components Group and chairman of the WCMA Young Professionals group.

Executive Director Ed Fenton reported that, during 2023, WCMA donated $19,300 to UCONN Cancer Research, Toys for Tots, Industry Scholarship Programs, and several other charities that include Breast Cancer, American Red Cross, UNICEF, Wounded Warriors and others. WCMA donates to charities annually on behalf of its annual Distinguished Career Award Recipients.