Madison, Connecticut, USA – May 10, 2021 – Interwire 2021: registration is open
It is with great pleasure that WAI announces that registration—at www.interwire21.com—is now officially open for Interwire 2021, which returns to the Georgia World Congress Center at the rescheduled dates of Oct. 26-27.

At press time, the good news has been that aside from the event itself, the backdrop should be better and better as the percentage of vaccinated people continues to rise over the next five months. Yet WAI is taking every measure to make sure that the return to Atlanta is both safe and worthwhile.

WAI has been working diligently with its long-time show contractor, Shepard Exposition Services, and the staff of the Georgia World Congress Center, to ensure that a comprehensive operating plan will be in place for Interwire. Only recently have meetings and exhibitions restarted, so WAI and its Atlanta partners will be consistently monitoring best practices, and will adjust plans accordingly. More details will be provided in future issues, but they all will be based on what will best ensure the health and safety of all participants and contractors.

In normal times, WJI would not be going into details on an event that is still far off, but it is worth noting again that much effort is being put into a showcase for the potential of Industry 4.0, which includes elements such as automation, AI, robotics, data analytics, and machine learning. Ready or not, change has arrived, and representatives at the Industry 4.0 Pavilion will be there to inform and inspire Interwire attendees.

May 10 2021. Cerrowire^® has named David Hawker as plant manager for its facility in Hartselle, Alabama. He has 34 years of management experience in the electrical products manufacturing sector, with leadership roles in the U.S. and Canada. He most recently was vice president and general manager of Nexans Energy Division (North America). His understanding of market drivers, technology capabilities and cost/financial implications in his previous role drove him to focus on factors that resulted in world-leading profit. A Canadian native, he holds a degree in applied science, with a specialty in mechanical engineering, from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. He also served as the 2017 president of the Wire Association International. Based in Hartselle, Alabama, with plants also in Georgia, Indiana, and Utah, Cerrowire manufactures copper wire for commercial, industrial and residential sectors.

RichardsApex, Inc., reported two promotions. Howard Luckey has been promoted to plant manager of its Philadelphia operation. He started with the company in 1984 and worked his way up through various positions. He most recently was shipping manager, where he ensured the efficient movement of materials throughout the manufacturing facility. Of note, he has been promoted to the same position that his brother, Robert “Bob” Luckey, had held before retiring several years ago. Several other Luckey family members have been and continue to be employed at RichardsApex, and Howard continues the family’s legacy of hard-working, dedicated employees. The company also promoted Janelle Gerardi to senior chemist within its R&D team. She was cited for critical contributions to development of next generation products. She joined the company in 2018. She previously worked for Johnson Matthey in the company’s precious metals division. She holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from Villanova University. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, RichardsApex, Inc., supplies lubricants, cleaners and coatings for the wire drawing and metal working industries.

David Ohmann is the new president of Wytech Industries. Prior to joining the company, he held sales and marketing leadership positions at Heraeus and MicroGroup (a TE Connectivity Company). He was cited for his extensive medical device background, engineering perspective and deep understanding of the complexities of the development of specialty wire. He holds an M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management. Based in Rahway, New Jersey, Wytech designs and manufactures complex components for medical devices that includes precision wire components and specialty core wires.

5/10/2021:  The next staging of wire Southeast Asia—and its sister show, Tube Southeast Asia—will now be held Feb. 9-11, 2022 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

A press release from organizers Messe Düsseldorf said that the event, which was to be held Sept. 22-24, is being moved to the new dates to “allow for optimum international participation.” It noted that in the past, over 90% of the exhibitors came from overseas countries such as Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Japan and Korea.

“It is anticipated that by next year with further easing of travel restrictions and ongoing successful vaccine deployments worldwide, there will be a more optimistic environment for companies to do business safely and effectively at these trade fairs,” the release said.
The two trade fairs were first held in 1997. At the last staging in 2019, international exhibitors from 29 countries participated at the trade fairs, while 45 % of trade visitors came from outside Thailand.

5/10/2021: Summer is approaching, and for many people that means that it is will be peak time to fire up the grill. There have been many stories about the danger of cleaning your grill with a wire brush, as sharp particles and splinters can break off of stainless steel- and brass-wire brushes. If that happens, those particles can become imbedded in future cooking, and result in significant risks if ingested.

However, wire brushes are efficient at cleaning a grill, and can be safely used, but they do require some common sense. There are two ways to approach this, and either can be right if you do it properly.

When the cooking is complete, wait for the grill surface to cool down to where it is still warm but not cool. Then, using a good quality wire brush, sweep off any food particles. Doing this when the grill is still warm makes it easier to scrap away food particles that, once cooled, are baked on, potentially containing wire slivers. Conversely, if you don’t want to bother cleaning at that point, you can wait till next use. At that point, though, you should pre-heat the grill at a high temperature for an extended period (at least 20 minutes). Then, place a wire brush into a bucket of warm, soapy water, and scrub off the surface of the grates.

Whether you reach for a wire brush before or after cooking, give it a close look. See if it has any broken bristles, or if it is worn or warped. If anything looks iffy, discard it.

As an alternative to wire brushes, Consumer Reports recommends cleaning with a coil brush, pumice stone or abrasive pads. Good Housekeeping suggests crumpled aluminum foil and a strong degreaser. And, for those who like a natural approach, consider the following: pre-heat the grill as described above, then slice an onion in half. Pierce the onion with a fork, and run the cut-side down along the grill grates. The onion's juices will release and produce steam to remove the bits and charred-on debris.

5/7/2021:  Kinderhook Industries, LLC (Kinderhook) announced that it has acquired Cameron Wire & Cable, Inc., a leading distributor of commercial and industrial wire, cable and related accessories.

A press release said that Robert Cameron, who founded the company and served as president, will continue his involvement and be on the board of directors. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Cameron Wire & Cable supplies Cameron-branded copper, aluminum and specialty wire and cable products that are sold to the renewable energy, building wire, industrial and utility end markets. It also provides value-added services that include paralleling, cutting, kitting, harness assembly and development of custom engineered products for unique applications. It serves its customers out of a strategic footprint of distribution centers spanning the continental U.S.

The release did not cite the sales price, but Kinderhook Managing Director Paul Cifelli said that Cameron is “retaining a significant minority stake.” Kinderhook will add two of its operating partners—Ed Flynn, former CEO of International Wire Group, and Craig York, CEO of Kinderhook portfolio company, Copperweld—to Cameron Wire & Cable’s management and board of directors. The two men, who have more than 40 years of collective experience in the wire and cable industry, will provide operational and strategic expertise in support of Kinderhook and management.

Partnering with Kinderhook will allow us to accelerate our growth plan in Cameron’s core and adjacent industry verticals, said Robert Cameron. “In particular, I’m very excited to pursue complementary add-on acquisitions that will help continue to grow our franchise and value-added capabilities.”

“Robert Cameron has successfully led the company to a position of industry leadership in just over a decade, and we look forward to working with him on expanding the Company’s products, services and end markets,” Cifelli said. “Cameron Wire & Cable is a valuable addition to Kinderhook’s rapidly growing wire and cable franchise, and we are excited to help facilitate the acceleration of the company’s already impressive growth.”

Founded in 2003, Kinderhook Industries, LLC, is a private investment firm that manages over $3.3 billion of committed capital. In 2019 it acquired the Copperweld Group, Inc., which last November acquired Copperhead Industries, a Minnesota-based provider of specialty tracer wire products and related equipment.

5/7/2021:  NKT reports that it has been awarded a long-term frame agreement with French Transmission System Operator, Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE) to supply it high-voltage power cables.

A press release said that the agreement builds upon a decade of successful collaboration between NKT and RTE. “This new frame contract is a testament to NKT’s presence in France and a confirmation of the mutually rewarding business relationship between NKT and RTE.”
NKT will supply 25 kV high-voltage AC XLPE underground power cable systems, and install accessories such as joints and terminations. The contract covers from 2021 through 2023, with an option for one additional year, as RTE furthers its goal to renew and modernize the transmission power grid in France to support energy transition.

“We are fully committed to accelerate the sustainability journey as we are the first major power cable manufacturer to commit to the Science Based Target initiative and to become a net-zero emissions company supporting RTE in their ambition of making ‘the Greener Choice,’” said NKT President and CEO Alexander Kara.

NKT is currently supporting RTE by executing a 225 kV high-voltage retrofitting power cable project in Marseille, where old cables installed in steel pipes are being replaced with new armored extruded XLPE type cables. The power cables for both the retrofitting project and the new frame agreement are to be made at NKT’s factory in Cologne, Germany, which runs on 100% green electricity.

5/7/2021: Italy’s Elettrotek Kabel SpA (EK) announced that it has completed the acquisition of Associated Wire Products (AWP), a Canadian leader in automation cables.

Founded in 1987 with headquarters in Burlington, Ontario (Canada), AWP is specialized in providing special cables for the industries. Elettrotek Kabel Group thus continues its growth in strategic sectors such as the industrial automation. The acquisition of AWP allows the expansion of EK’s presence in these markets by providing customers with excellent technical and commercial support.

Announcing the acquisition, EK President and CEO Roberto Gallingani explained, “The addition of AWP to our group represents an excellent value-add for Elettrotek Kabel Group’s Cables Automation division in the Canadian markets. We believe this is a strategic acquisition that will also allow AWP to continue expanding its capabilities while benefiting from the technical expertise and global footprint of Elettrotek Kabel Group.”

“Elettrotek Kabel established another important milestone,” said Nicola Malaguti, president and CEO of Elettrotek Kabel North America Inc. “We are confident that with this acquisition our presence in North America will continue to grow. AWP perfectly fits with the group, embracing the same business model and goals. This investment is essential to support Canadian customers and it confirms that Elettrotek is a leader in the cable industry.”

Founded in 2001, Elettrotek Kabel is a leading company in the design, manufacture and supply of special electrical cables used in harsh environments with a high cost of failure. It is one of the first companies in the world to manufacture and distribute special cables for the industrial automation, steel, mining, port and crane, marine and oil industries. The rapid expansion of the group has been possible thanks to the competence of the management team and their constant attention to the exclusive use of the highest quality products.

Founded in 1987, AWP is a Canadian leader in automation cables, with the main objective of meeting the customer’s needs by offering technical solutions and excellent service. AWP has never stopped listening to the needs of the market for over 30 years, and today is recognized for the highest guarantee of quality and reliability.

5/7/2021: OmniCable has agreed to buy Houston Wire & Cable Co. (HWCC) in a $91 million deal that would combine their complementary businesses, products and footprint to create a national leader in the redistribution field.

A press release said that the deal was approved by HWCC’s board of directors, and is expected to get approval at a May 25 meeting of HWCC shareholders. The publicly traded company would then become a private entity of Omni Cable.

The deal “will maximize OmniCable’s and HWCC’s highly complementary operations,” the release said. The combined company will also continue HWCC’s fastener redistribution business. Following the close of the transaction, each company will retain its own brands and its existing locations. “Our shared central focus on redistribution, logistical expertise, and unyielding pursuit of perfection for our business partners will drive both businesses to enhance the value that we bring to the marketplace,” said Jeff Siegfried, OmniCable founder and vice chairman.

HWCC, founded 45 years ago, is a large industrial distributor of wire and cable and fastener products in the U.S. market. Based in Houston, Texas, it has sales and distribution facilities strategically located throughout the U.S. OmniCable, a subsidiary of Dot Holdings Co., has 14 regional distribution centers to serve and support electrical distributors nationwide.

5/7/2021: Steel and copper wire makers are facing shortages of raw materials that have already resulted in higher prices and manufacturing slowdowns. Covid-19 shutdowns, growing demand, lack of investment, lack of discovery of new deposits, truck driver shortage, strikes, delays at U.S. ports of entry, and supply chain disruptions have all contributed to the problem. Shortages of basic materials such as steel, steel plate, copper and aluminum have affected many industries from computer chip makers to solar panels.

The shortages are affecting manufacturers worldwide who are struggling to find domestic and imported sources. In Europe, finished steel distributors are having difficulty finding steel supplies. In India, shortages have caused some steel metal wire makers to operate below capacity and may close down if lack of supplies persists. High-grade wire rods, the main raw material for wire production, is especially sought after.

Raw copper supplies have been in decline due to lower investment and mine development, notes Rob Haworth, a senior investment strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. As a consequence, the higher bidder determines who gets the available materials. Such competition among manufacturers means higher prices are passed on to the consumer. Copper prices rose 100% from March 2020 to April 2021. To counter the shortage, large copper companies are increasing investment. For example, the Chilean government is spending $2.5 billion to expand existing mines; the Australian mining company BHP is allocating $900 million to find new copper and oil deposits.

On the bright side, higher material costs usually convert to higher profit margins. Shortages and price increases are expected to continue into 2022.

5/7/2021:  Whatever your political affiliation, President Biden’s American Jobs Plan infrastructure investment plan should be welcome news for many wire and cable companies.

The American Jobs Plan infrastructure investment plan promises big expansion in broadband internet and clean energy. The plan calls for $100 billion to bring more affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet, or wireless broadband via 5G, into rural areas especially, but also urban areas, for 100% coverage across the country. The plan will also increase funding for Community Connect broadband grants, support towns that want to build municipally-owned broadband networks, and make available federally controlled telecom resources like towers, poles, and rights-of-way.

Lack of funding and infrastructure have hampered expansion in the past. The FCC estimates that as many as 42 million Americans don’t have access to high-speed broadband. The shut-in during the pandemic highlighted the importance of people having access to high-speed internet. By removing governmental barriers, Biden’s plan expects to promote competition among internet providers by encouraging companies to increase speed and decrease prices.
Of note, the broadband expansion is opposed by the cable internet industry, which calls Biden’s plan unnecessary. Internet & Television Association CEO Michael Powell said in a statement that America’s current modern digital network has been successful, and that it is wrong to suggest that “the government is better suited than private-sector technologists to build and operate the internet.”

For clean energy, the infrastructure plan extends Investment Tax Credits and Production Tax Credits to incentivize the installation of at least 20 GW of high-voltage-capacity transmission power lines, move the federal vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, and invest $15 billion in climate research and development projects.

How much is actually accomplished is another story, but the bottom line is that a lot of money could be funneled into applications that could accomplish good as well as create more wire and cable business.