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Wire Journal News

October 2022

Southwire’s facility in Huntersville, N.C., has again been recognized for its efforts in achieving compliance with air quality permits by receiving the annual Air Compliance Excellence (ACE) Award. This is the fifth consecutive year the Huntersville Plant has received the award and the seventh time overall. 

The Mecklenburg County Air Quality ACE Awards began in 2014 to promote local industries’ efforts that comply with air quality permits within the county. 

To be eligible for the award, facilities are required to meet all terms of their air quality permit for an entire year. This includes submitting reports, notifications, fee payments, emission testing and annual inspection with no violations of nuisance, dust or odor complaints of the site. 

According to Patrick Vaughan, storekeeper attendant at Southwire’s Huntersville Plant, the ACE Award showcases the facility’s efforts to improve the local air quality, aligning with Southwire’s commitment to sustainability and supporting the wellbeing of our communities and the environment.

“We are thrilled to receive the ACE award again this year, and it’s really a testament to the work of our team members and our environmental, health and safety manager, Jamie McGrath,” said Vaughan. “Together, we strive to do what’s best for our environment, and this award shows our commitment to making a difference in the Huntersville community.” 

Published in Press Releases

After having earlier moved to Richmond, Indiana, a Michigan casket manufacturing company started by Bruce and Suzanne Elder changed its name in 1972 to honor Bruce’s parents Vance and Doris Elder.
Vandor has grown to more than 200 team members, working together to create products that serve funeral professionals as well as automotive, communications, construction, and consumer product industries. The company has garnered nearly 60 patents so far, with many more forthcoming. Its brands include Reel Options, Elderlite and Starmark Funeral Products. The team members’ dedication and affirmative attitude underpinning Vandor’s culture from the beginning remains steadfast to this day.

A Golden Celebration
In celebration of its 50th year, Vandor hosted a companywide congratulatory event on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Starr Gennett building in Richmond Indiana. With over 300 past and present team members and their families attending, local favorites Smiley’s Pub Catering, Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream, and AVI Food Systems served lunch and dessert to the celebration guests. The Northeastern High School Cheer Team supported with activities for the children including inflatables and face painting. Melissa Vance of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce honored Vandor for its years committed to growth in the Richmond area. A strong sense of friendship and gratitude for one another and a recognition of past accomplishments was shared among team members. Vandor’s team is prepared and looking ahead to its next fifty years!

Published in Press Releases

Corning Incorporated announced that it is expanding its manufacturing capacity by building a new cable manufacturing facility in Gilbert, Arizona.
A press release said that the expansion will help Corning meet the needs of a long-term customer, the largest U.S. fiber internet provider, as it expands its fiber service. Corning will locate the new plant in greater Phoenix region, adding approximately 250 jobs and extending Corning’s strategic investments in optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions to meet record demand.
The new facility is Corning’s latest in a series of investments in fiber and cable manufacturing totaling more than $500 million since 2020, the release said. These investments, supported by customer commitments, nearly double Corning’s ability to serve the U.S. cable market and connect more people and communities. As public and private investments in broadband, 5G, and the cloud are accelerating a large, multi-year wave of growth for fiber-based networks, Corning “is uniquely positioned to support these network builds.”
The Arizona facility, expected to open in 2024, will be the industry’s western-most U.S. manufacturing site for optical cable. It will enable Corning to serve growing demand in the western U.S. and Canada. Separately, AT&T announced that it is deploying fiber internet service to the Mesa, Arizona, area, with service expected to be available to Mesa residents in 2023.
To build and deploy these networks, the industry will need another 850,000 workers through 2025. Corning and AT&T created the Fiber Optic Training Program, focused on equipping thousands of technicians with the skills critical to designing, installing, and maintaining a growing fiber network. The initial class is currently underway in North Carolina, and the program aims to train 50,000 American workers over the next five years.

Published in Industry News

The Prysmian Group announced that it has reached a key technology milestone in power transmission: the successful development and testing of the first 525 kV extruded submarine full cable system for High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) applications.
The breakthrough will enable a massive increase of the maximum transmission capacity of bi-pole systems up to more than 2.5 GW, which is more than double the value achieved with 320 kV DC systems currently in service. The one-year prequalification testing was carried out per international standards including CIGRE TB-496 and witnessed by a third-party certification body.
“This new milestone confirms our commitment and prominent role in the development of power grids infrastructure, key for the energy transition,” said Prysmian Group CEO Valerio Battista.
HVDC cable links are key components of sustainable energy systems, to transmit large bulks of electricity over long distances, often across or between countries. This achievement will put Prysmian Group in a unique position to support forthcoming tenders for submarine interconnectors.
“On the heels of the successful industrialization of 525 kV HVDC underground cables for the 3 German HVDC links projects, we are ready to extend this innovative technology for submarine cable systems to enable our customers in the continuous effort towards the energy transition by further reducing the costs of offshore wind and minimizing the environmental impact,” said Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects Business Unit.
The company leveraged its in-depth knowledge of materials and the capability to improve manufacturing processes to optimize a reliable industrial process with strict technological parameters and providing an entire system of cable and accessories. That includes flexible factory joints, rigid repair joints and sea-land joints with the best dielectric properties.

Published in Industry News

Russia’s EVRAZ PLC is seeking to divest the holdings of EVRAZ North America (ENA), which include Rocky Mountain Steel Mill, a plant in Pueblo, Colorado that produces wire rod.
The scope of the story is far larger as a key investor in the parent company is Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire who was on the list of oligarchs linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. EVRAZ Plc, which purchased Pueblo’s steel mills in 2007, was hit with sanctions by the U.K. in May in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
ENA, based in Chicago, Illinois, employs more than 1,400 people in the U.S. and 1,800 in Canada, with production sites that include Pueblo, one in Portland, Oregon, and four in Canada, per the company’s website.
A report in The Pueblo Chieftain said that a letter sent by EVRAZ to ENA employees said that the “current geopolitical landscape has created a heightened level of uncertainty” over the last five months that has led to “unique challenges” in its day-to-day business operations. “However, we are in a position to change course,” the letter said. “In response to today’s reality, and to best position our organization for long-term success, EVRAZ plc, the parent of ENA, has made the difficult decision to begin a sales process of the North American business.”

Published in Industry News

Barnes Group announced that it plans to close the production operations at its Engineered Components facility in Bristol, Connecticut, which has a manufacturing focus of producing transmission springs and washers.
Per multiple reports, the demand for such products has declined as there is more production of electric vehicles that do not need those parts. The company also cited supply chain issues and inflation as factors.
The plant, which has some 95 employees, is expected to be completely closed by mid-2023. Work performed at the facility will either be transferred to other Engineered Components manufacturing locations or permanently discontinued.

Published in Industry News

Outokumpu has agreed to sell the majority of its stainless-steel long products business to the Marcegaglia Group, an Italian entity that owns some 30 steel plants.
A press release said that Outokumpu has signed an agreement to divest the majority of its long products business operations to Marcegaglia Steel Group, a leading industrial group in the steel processing sector. Outokumpu will now focus on its core business of flat stainless-steel products.
The long products operations to be sold represent about 8% of the Outokumpu Group’s sales in 2021. They include: melting, rod and bar operations in Sheffield, U.K.; bar operations in Richburg, U.S.; and a wire rod mill in Fagersta, Sweden. The transaction does not include Outokumpu Long Products AB operations in Degerfors and Storfors, Sweden. Approximately 650 employees in Sheffield, Richburg and Fagersta will transfer to the buyer as a part of the transaction.
“This divestment marks the accomplishment of the turnaround program for the Long Products business in the past two years,” said Outokumpu President and CEO Heikki Malinen. “The sale is a natural step for Outokumpu in line with our strategy to focus on our core business, stainless-steel flat products.”
Outokumpu expects to complete the divestment by the end of this year. Outokumpu Long Products AB’s units in Degerfors and Storfors in Sweden continue their operations for now as part of the Outokumpu Group, and different options are to be evaluated for the future of the units.



Published in Industry News

Ravicab Cables Private Limited announced that it has acquired Leoni Cable Solutions (India) Private Limited (LCSI), a subsidiary of Leoni AG located in Bengaluru.
A press release said that the acquisition of India’s LCSI “provides an expansion in market reach, extension in product range and finds a perfect synergy with the growth aspirations of Ravicab.” For the acquired business, this means a clear perspective for future development in terms of investment and growth. LCSI, which opened in 2013 with a production area of around 15,000 sq m, had revenues of approximately €25.5 million in 2021 and a workforce of 190 people. The plant manufactures wire and cable for domestic, industrial, signaling applications, and specialty markets.
Ravicab reported that with the LCSI acquisition, it has leverage in the specialty products business of renewable energy and railways with E-Beam cable. Ravicab, has also inherited LCSI’s processes and systems for manufacturing specialized cables, which include iconic brands like Kerpen and Icon.
The sale was part of Leoni’s Wire & Cable Solutions Division (WCS), which it has been divesting. “This sale is another step in the process of gradually selling the WCS division and concentrating our business on the Wiring Systems division (WSD).”
Per Leoni, the currently largest remaining unit in the WCS division is its Business Group Wire Products & Solutions (BG PS), a relatively small unit. “For this unit, too, we are constantly reviewing the optimal setup and the best possible future ownership structure.”
The two central units of the WCS division were the Business Groups Industrial Solutions and Automotive Cable Solutions. In other news, Leoni reports that its two Ukrainian plants—one in the Lviv region and the other in the Ivano-Frankivsk region—have continued to produce wiring harnesses, despite the challenges posted by Russia’s invasion of the country on Feb. 24.



Published in Industry News

A maxed-out field of 148 golfers took part in the New England Chapter’s 28th annual golf tournament, but based on reviews, it was a winning experience for just about everyone who was at Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut.
The winning foursome—Tom Artinian, Matt Bagdovitz and Jim Stocking, all of Hitachi Cable America, and Greg Gitto, Chroma Color—shot nine under par to take top honors. Coming in second was the team of David Gow of Primetals, Dylan Simson of Primetals and James Ayers of Data Guide Cable Corp. The chapter plans to return next year to the Tunxis Country Club, and to go back to 36 holes so up to 200 players can take part, encouraged by comments sent by participants.
• “Great that we got partnered with a potential customer. Really appreciated the networking time before dinner. Thanks!” David Gerhart, Reelex Packaging.
• “Very well organized,” John O’Dell, RSCC Wire & Cable.
• “It was a terrific event and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thank you!” Paul Gemelli, Gem Gravure.
• “Excellent event! Thank you!” Mim Winter,
Teknor Apex.
• “Pace of play was the best it has been ever! A+,” Dave Fisher, James Monroe.
The reviews were not unanimous, as one participant thought that the check-in process and other elements could have been better, but there was a lot of chatter at the awards dinner about how Tunxis was a better host than the Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield in 2021.
New this year, the reception featured live music sponsored by James Monroe, which added fresh energy to the networking time. The open bar was extended an extra hour so everyone had ample time to mingle once coming off the course. The reception and dinner were both held outside at the Tunxis’ pavilion, making for a less formal event. There was an extensive buffet which included two carving stations and an ice cream sundae dessert bar. Finally, most of the raffle prizes were pulled and handed out ahead of time, so that it did not slow down the dinner program as in previous years.
Chapter President Michael Sarni, Insulated Wire, Inc., gave a thumbs up to the tourney. Admittedly not an avid golfer, he said he enjoyed it so much “that I cannot wait to attend it again. Seeing the regulars and some new faces to the industry made it that much better.”
The chapter wants to thank all the sponsors.
Premium sponsors: AGC Chemicals Americas, Inc.; Amacoil, Inc.; Carris Reels, Inc.; Chase Wire & Cable Materials; Commission Brokers, Inc.; Delta Tecnic; Electric Cable Compounds, Inc.; Elkem, Inc.; Fenn Torin; Fluorogistx; Gem Gravure Co., Inc.; Insulated Wire; James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.; Lloyd & Bouvier, Inc.; M. Holland; Mathiasen Machinery, Inc.; The MGS Group; Multi/Cable Corp.; Rainbow Rubber; RichardsApex, Inc; SAMP USA, Inc.; Sikora; Teknikor; Ulbrich; United Wire Co., Inc.; Wire & Plastic Machinery; and Zumbach Electronics Corp.
Corporate Hole sponsors: Amaral Automation; AVIENT Corporation; Carris Reels, Inc.; Data Guide Cable Corp.; DeWal Industries (2); Elkem Inc.; Fluoropolymer Resources Inc.; Gem Gravure Co., Inc.; GEON; Graham Engineering; Insulated Wire; James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp (4); Joe Snee Associates, Inc.; Lloyd & Bouvier, Inc.; M. Holland; Mantec; Quabbin Wire & Cable Co., Inc.; REELEX Packaging Solutions, Inc.; RichardsApex, Inc.; SAMP USA, Inc.; Sikora; Specialty Cable Corp.; Teknikor; TriCab; Ulbrich Shaped Wire; United Wire Company; Winchester Interconnect; Wire & Cable Consulting LLC; Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp.; and Zumbach Electronics Corp.




Published in WAI News

The New England Chapter outlined what will be presented at its educational event at the RFS plant in Meriden, Connecticut.
The event, which starts at 3:30 pm, will include an overview of RFS and its cable-related markets, followed by a tour with five stops, where line managers will make brief presentations on their different coax, fiber and antenna products. Following the tour, attendees will regroup for a networking dinner at River, a restaurant in Wethersfield.
The event is limited to 50 attendees, and registration will close on Oct. 25. A wait list will be available once the event is full. The cost for the event is $125 for non-WAI members, with a $25 discount for WAI New England Chapter members. RFS leadership team is choosing a charity that the New England Chapter will make a $1,000 donation to on their behalf.
Registration can be done at the chapter website.
For more details, contact: John Markowski, at tel. 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..




Published in WAI News
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