WAI, in collaboration with Hyperion Materials & Technologies (HMT), will present a two-part webinar series in September free to WAI members for wire die tool makers and wire producers that will provide insights into PCD and TC wire dies.

Part 1, Differentiating High-Quality PCD Wire Dies, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 11 am EST, presented by HMT’s Hector Ferrer Ribas, a business development specialist- carbide metal cutting, and Andrew Gledhill, technical manager. They will focus on identifying high-quality polycrystalline diamond (PCD) wire dies. Topics will include fundamental material properties, common defects like EDM cutting issues and cracks, and the impact of quality on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Attendees will also receive a checklist to assess superior products and learn about innovations in PCD materials.

Part 2, Key Differentiators in Carbide Wire Dies, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 11 am EST, will highlight the defining features of high-quality carbide wire dies. Attendees will explore red flags such as casing issues, breakage, and porosity, along with an assessment checklist to evaluate manufacturing quality and material consistency. The webinar will also cover advancements in carbide materials, testing methods, and the importance of traceability and certifications.

Both sessions will be recorded for those unable to attend live. As noted above, that access will be free to WAI members. They will offer a convenient opportunity for industry professionals to deepen their understanding of wire die quality and advancements. For more updates on these events and programs, visit wirenet.org.

The weather may not have been overly obliging, but the New England Chapter’s Feb. 6 annual meeting and dinner was thoroughly enjoyed by the WAI chapter members who gathered at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The chapter welcomed its new president for 2025, Annaliese Sviokla, Gem Gravure, and thanked its 2024 president, Ryan Carbray, Alphagary, for a job well done. Also recognized were new board members David Roberge, Sjogren Industries Inc.; Sean Donnelly, Kinrei of America LLC; and Shawn Stavely, Gendon Polymer Services Inc.

Sviokla said that she was honored to head the chapter and pledged to carry on Carbray’s good work. She also thanked multiple people, including a friend and past chapter president, Lori Parent, and multiple Gem colleagues. That included President Paul Gemelli, who she said gave her every opportunity to succeed. “At our board meeting earlier today, it was joked that in the wire industry, when you’re in, you’re in. And after 17 years of wire and cable, I’m happy to say that’s fine with me because there’s truly no place I’d rather be.”

Carbray traced the highlights on 2024, which included the 30th Annual Golf Tournament, the largest to date with more than 160 golfers and attendees; the awarding of three college scholarships for $2,500 each; and the November tour of ACCEL International’s wire drawing plant in Cheshire, Connecticut; as well as last year’s annual meeting. “We owe a great deal of thanks to all of you who support these events. All the money raised directly supports the scholarship fund and allows us to continue providing these awards. Please give yourselves a round of applause,” he said.

The keynote speaker, Ramon Peralta of Peralta Design, proved to be remarkable. His discussion that covered multiple considerations of employee engagement was well received, as was the overall event. “Despite some snowy weather in Connecticut, the WAI NE Chapter Annual Meeting was a big success,” said Paul Gemelli. “I continue to be impressed with the quality of this annual event.  It was an excellent night of networking in a great venue with many industry leaders and professionals. Mr. Peralta’s presentation was very relevant and informative for me and my colleagues. Thanks to WAI for a terrific event!” 

Over the past 20 years, ACIMAF, IWMA and the WAI have produced numerous technical conferences throughout Europe. This time, they are being joined by Poland’s AGH University (AGH) to put on an event that will be held in Kraków, Poland, on Oct. 14, 2025.

The deadline for an abstract submission form is March 31, 2025. The form can be accessed online at BIT.LY/WAIABSTRACTS.

The Kraków location is most fitting as multiple members of WAI’s Poland Chapter have presented technical articles. A public university in Kraków, Poland, that was founded in 1913, AGH focuses on innovative technologies, and its research includes engineering disciplines, exact sciences, earth sciences and social sciences. Wire production is part of its scope.

WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll credits RichardApex’s Don Neville—who recently completed his term as chairman of U.K.-based International Wire Machinery Association (IWMA)—for encouraging a collaboration with AGH. That led to support from AGH Dean Tadeusz Knych, the 2015 winner of WAI’s Mordica Award and a long-time member of the WAI Poland Chapter, and Dr. Beata Smyrak, an AGH professor. “The group is working well together and of course, it is a pleasure to have a chance to work more closely with genuine supporters.”

Professor Jerzy Lis, the rector of AGH, is also supporting the one-day event that will see concurrent ferrous and electrical tracks as well as tabletops.

Attendees will be presented an in-depth view of the manufacturing advances in wire and cable research, operations and production. While some presentations have already been secured, the issued call for papers is for ferrous and nonferrous topics

On Feb. 10th, The Wire Association International (WAI) launched its new online training platform, the WAI Education Center, a resource designed to support the professional growth of the wire and cable industry.

The early reviews of this innovative platform that provides on-demand access to expert-instructed courses covering essential industry topics have all been positive. The series makes it easier than ever for professionals to expand their knowledge and enhance their skills at their own pace. From foundational principles to advanced technical concepts, WAI’s training platform is built to meet the evolving needs of the industry. New courses on various subjects will be regularly released throughout 2025.

Attendees at Interwire 2025 will have multiple opportunities to explore WAI’s new educational content and learn how it can benefit them individually or their company at large. Visit WAI’s Resource Center & Member Lounge on the show floor to see the platform in action, ask questions, and discover a solution for workforce development specific to wire and cable manufacturing.

Finally, if you are at Interwire, don’t miss the final conference session on Thursday from 1:30 to 2:00 pm in the WAI Theater, where WAI’s Manager of Education, John Markowski will present “Empowering Industry Growth: Unlocking the Potential of WAI’s Education Center and Training Platform.” This session won’t just highlight WAI’s new training content—it will also emphasize the importance of having a structured training program in place. Whether a company lacks an existing training program or needs more comprehensive materials, WAI can be a valuable resource for onboarding new employees and upskilling the current workforce through continuing education.

Join us at Interwire to see how WAI’s latest initiative is driving industry education forward and empowering