U.S.-based CTC Global underscored its long-term commitment to India’s power sector during an address by CEO J.D. Sitton at the 2025 Economic Times Energy Leadership Summit in New Delhi.

Speaking before government leaders and industry executives, Sitton outlined the company’s strategy to expand its presence following the successful launch of its fifth ACCC® Conductor Core manufacturing facility in Pune.

Sitton said that more than 200 ACCC installations have already been completed across 22 states and two territories, with Indian partners such as Sterlite Power, Gupta Power, and Apar Industries leading delivery of over 18,000 km of high-performance conductors by the end of 2025. He described India as pivotal to CTC Global’s mission “to advance grid efficiency and accelerate the world’s transition to reliable, low-loss power systems.”

CTC Global continues to operate manufacturing plants in the United States, China, Indonesia, Paraguay and India, maintaining a blend of direct ownership and joint ventures that strategically position the company to support regional and global grid modernization initiatives. Sitton concluded that deeper partnerships in India will help “build the infrastructure of the clean energy future.”

Taihan has secured two extra-high voltage (EHV) full turn-key projects in Qatar worth a combined total of approximately $160 million, further reinforcing its position in the Middle East power market.

A press release said that the company received a Letter of Award from Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) for a 400 kV and 220 kV transmission system expansion project valued at about $130 million. The project covers the entire process from design and manufacturing to cable laying, jointing and testing of Qatar’s highest-voltage transmission networks. This award follows another contract signed on August 21, worth about $31 million for a separate 220 kV EHV power network expansion. Both projects will be carried out on a full turn-key basis.

Qatar’s grid expansion is regarded as one of the most technically demanding in the region, requiring stringent quality and project management standards. Taihan has participated in Kahramaa’s grid expansion initiatives since 2008, consistently delivering strong results and strengthening its standing as a trusted supplier. A company official said the consecutive contract wins underscore Taihan’s competitiveness in Qatar’s power infrastructure sector and align with its strategy to expand into HVDC and submarine cable systems to meet growing energy demands across the Middle East.

Nexans, a global leader in cable system manufacturing, has secured €250 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), a portion of which is earmarked for a major new copper production and recycling facility at its historic site in Lens, northern France.

A press release said that the new plant is being built on the same site as Nexans’ existing copper production facility in Lens, northern France. This investment—over €90 million of which is directed to the site—will leverage existing operational expertise. The development is an expansion at the Lens location ​that began copper casting operations in 1971. Once operational, the new plant will increase copper wire production by over 50% and will have annual capacity to recycle up to 80,000 metric tons of copper annually.

The initiative was described as a strategic component of both France’s national reindustrialization agenda and the European Union’s REPowerEU. The project was recognized as part of France’s “France 2030” plan for forward-looking industrial modernization. The Lens site is already France’s only copper rod foundry, and the additional capacity is seen as vital for securing copper supplies and advancing Europe’s circular economy. Nexans projects that, by 2028, a quarter of its cable output from Lens will use recycled copper sourced and refined on-site.​

Beyond Lens, the EIB financing will also support investments at Nexans’ sites in Charleroi, Erembodegem, Calais, and Bourg-en-Bresse, targeting the offshore wind sector, submarine interconnections, and low-carbon cable production. These moves underscore Nexans’ commitment to the energy transition and its Science Based Targets initiative for carbon neutrality.​

Sterlite Electric Ltd., a prominent member of India’s expansive Sterlite group, plans to enter the public market with an IPO designed to accelerate its domestic manufacturing footprint and further global ambitions—including supply to U.S. utilities and infrastructure projects.

A press release described Sterlite Electric as “the leading products and solutions division of Sterlite,” responsible for manufacturing high-voltage overhead conductors, advanced power cables (HVAC and HVDC), and Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), plus providing master system integration for transmission and distribution networks.

Sterlite Electric stands apart from both the U.S.-based Sterling Electric Inc.—which is solely focused on electric motors and gear reducers—and from other divisions within the greater Sterlite group, such as Sterlite Power Transmission (which develops transmission infrastructure assets, often with BOT models in India and Brazil) and Sterlite Technologies, a fiber-optics leader with a dedicated U.S. factory (STL) supplying the telecom market. The IPO relates directly to Sterlite Electric’s products business, constituting a substantial core segment rather than a small specialty operation.

The company exports regularly to over 70 countries, and noted that substantial order volumes come from U.S. customers seeking advanced grid components and transmission solutions. Its products—ranging from high-capacity AL59 conductors to smart grid optical cabling—have found utility in major American power projects, reinforcing Sterlite Electric’s status as a genuine participant in the U.S. wire and cable market, not just a peripheral global supplier.

Proceeds from the IPO, likely valued at around $180 million, will primarily fund a new power cable factory in Gujarat’s Vadodara and help reduce corporate debt, enhancing the company’s debt-equity position and supporting ambitious expansion plans. Of the 15.6 million shares to be offered, half will be freshly issued, with strong institutional investor interest anticipated. At least 75% of the issue is reserved for qualified institutional buyers, including potential North American investors.

COFICAB Americas has upgraded its cable capabilities at its Mexico operations, where it has begun upcasting production at one of its nine plants in the Americas.

A posting on LinkedIn announced that COFICAB Americas has begun producing its own copper for the first time at its plant in Durango, Mexico. The new upcasting production line represents a significant step toward manufacturing autonomy and enhanced supply stability for the company’s automotive wire and cable operations across North America. The line is from Finland’s UPCAST Oy. A second line was also ordered.

COFICAB states that reintegrating copper production into its process closes the loop on its supply chain and enables it to apply circular economy principles. It will reduce waste, improve efficiency and lower consumption of natural resources while maintaining consistent, high-quality raw material input, and furthers COFICAB’s commitment to responsible manufacturing practices and environmental stewardship at its Mexican facilities.​

Durango has long been a strategic hub for COFICAB Americas, serving as its headquarters for eight production units and an R&D center throughout the region. In 2018, the company had a $50 million launch of the Ciudad Juárez plant, which became one of its largest global sites and a major supplier of automotive harness wire for OEM and tier-one manufacturers throughout the Americas.​

COFICAB joins a select group of cable manufacturers committed to integrating materials sourcing and production. By using its own copper and distributing finished wire and cable from its Mexican facilities, the company can more effectively support critical supply timelines and quality standards for automotive and industrial customers throughout North and South America.

“As our ninth plant in the Americas, this investment reaffirms COFICAB role as a trusted partner and a forward-looking company, building the sustainable future we all deserve,” the release said. Within Mexico, COFICAB’s presence in Durango and Juárez places capacity near harness makers and OEM supply chains, facilitating program ramps and just‑in‑time delivery for regional platforms.

Prysmian has been selected by SP Transmission plc and National Grid Electricity Transmission plc, owners of the electricity transmission systems in Great Britain, as the preferred bidder for the Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4) high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable connection.

A press release said that contract negotiations are ongoing and further communications will be provided in due course. The value is estimated at around €2 billion.

The project, which will connect Scotland and England via the North Sea, will play a central role in further strengthening the U.K.’s energy security. EGL4 will help make the U.K. energy grid more resilient for the future, while facilitating the transition to cleaner and more affordable energy.

Prysmian has considerable experience in such interconnection projects in the U.K., including Eastern Green Link 1 and 2 as well as the Viking Link project, which is the longest high voltage underground and submarine interconnection cable in the world.

Per the customer, EGL4 will require approximately 646 km of cable in total. This includes both the subsea section between Kinghorn, Fife (Scotland) and Anderby Creek or West Norfolk (England), and associated onshore underground cable sections at either end. Of this total, the subsea part is about 530 km, with additional underground cable segments bringing the combined installed cable length to around 646 km for the entire project.

Kinderhook Industries (Kinderhook) has acquired Advanced Digital Cable, LLC, (ADC), a wire and cable manufacturer specializing in low-voltage cable that is based in Hayesville, North Carolina, for an undisclosed sum.

A press release said that ADC represents Kinderhook’s eighth wire and cable acquisition to date, “signaling a strategic move to support the company’s growth and innovation.” Kinderhook is a private investment firm with a history of partnering with middle-market companies to accelerate growth.

Founded in 1997 by Steve Payne, ADC began manufacturing coaxial cable during the booming digital cable market. Over nearly three decades, ADC expanded to produce a wide range of wire and cable products. It supplies critical industries such as renewable energy, data centers, manufacturing facilities, power generation, and commercial and residential construction.

ADC Founder Steve Payne said that the deal was an important step forward. “To ensure ADC’s legacy continues and its growth accelerates, investment was needed,” he said. He cited Kinderhook’s legacy “makes them the right partner for our future.”

Of note, Kinderhook recently sold SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS (SDI LaFarga) to the Rhône Group, a U.S.-based global private equity firm. SDI LaFarga President/CEO Kurt Breischaft, who joined the company in 2015 and led it through a period of major growth, has been named CEO of ADC. See p. 26. The industry veteran and former WAI President (2023) has held a range of positions at Belden, Superior Essex and Cerro Wire.

“We are excited about this new chapter,” Breischaft said. “The reputation ADC has earned over the past 27 years is the cornerstone of our business. With Kinderhook’s backing, we will build on those values to drive innovation, strengthen partnerships, and invest in the future of our people and operations.”

Per ADC’s website, the business has three manufacturing facilities. The original facility, located in Hayesville, North Carolina, has undergone six major expansions and now has over 200,000 sq ft of manufacturing space; the plant in Blairsville, Georgia, which opened in 2011, underwent a major expansion in 2018, and has more than 240,000 sq ft of manufacturing space; and the facility in Hiawassee, Georgia, which opened in 2018, was expanded in 2019 to a total of 60,000 sq ft.

After more than four decades of leadership in the electrical industry and a decade as president and CEO of Southwire, Rich Stinson has announced that he will retire in December. Since joining the company in 2015, he has built a remarkable career focused on long-term strategy and continuous improvement, leading Southwire through periods of strong organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Stinson has been passionate about the electrification of America, playing a key role in the formation of the Alliance to Electrify America, which includes representatives from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), and the National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA). His leadership has earned Southwire multiple industry honors, including six consecutive years (2020–2025) as a U.S. Best Managed Company—a distinguished recognition sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Stinson has also been a frequent speaker at major industry events, delivering a keynote on electrification at Interwire 2023, where he received the inaugural WAI Champion Award. Following his retirement, Stinson will continue to serve as executive advisor to incoming president and CEO Ganesh Ramaswamy through the first part of 2026. Ramaswamy brings a proven track record of driving growth and value creation across diverse industries. He currently serves as executive vice president of Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes, leading a $12 billion business with more than 20,000 employees worldwide. His prior leadership experience includes roles at Johnson Controls, Danaher Corporation, Hoya Corporation, and General Electric. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Kerala, an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. The company has also announced that Norman Adkins, chief operating officer, plans to retire in April 2026 after nearly four decades of industry leadership. Joining Southwire in 1998, Adkins has focused on building strong, success-driven relationships across the industry and fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within his teams. He will continue to serve as president of the International Cablemakers Federation (ICF). Based in Carrollton, Georgia, USA, Southwire is one of North America’s largest wire and cable manufacturers. 

Advanced Digital Cable, LLC (ADC) reported two key personnel announcements. ADC has named Kurt Breischaft as its new chief executive officer following the company’s acquisition by Kinderhook Industries. See p. 10. He has more than three decades of leadership in the wire and cable industry, most recently serving as president of SDI La Farga COPPERWORKS, which has a copper rod and wire mill in Indiana. He has previously held senior positions at Belden, Superior Essex and Cerro Wire. He also served as the 2023 president of the Wire Association International, and was the 2006 Wire Link Scholar. He holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. ADC also announced that Peter Sheehan has joined its board of directors as an operating partner representing Kinderhook Industries. He previously served as CEO of Cobra Wire and Cable and president of the Americas Division at Belden Inc. Most recently, he worked as president of Genuine Cable Group. Based in Hayesville, North Carolina, Advanced Digital Cable, LLC, manufactures a wide range of copper and aluminum wire and cable.

David Devoe was named vice president of Lesjöfors Group North America. He most recently was president/CEO of John Evans and Sons, which is part of the Lesjöfors Group. He had previously worked for more than 30 years for Plymouth Spring, including serving as president there since 1994. His industry experience includes serving as the president of the New England Spring & Metalstamping Association (NESMA). Part of Sweden’s Lesjöfors AB, Lesjöfors Group North America, based in Pittston, Pennsylvania, manufactures an extensive range of springs and metal components. 

Kinrei of America has promoted Dirghayu Joshi to general manager of sales and technical solutions. He joined the company seven years ago and has more than a decade of experience in capital equipment and technical project management. He previously was a project manager at Johnson Controls and Donnelly Energy and a project engineer at Extrusion Technik USA Inc. He holds both B.S. and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Part of Japan’s Kinrei Machinery Co., Inc., and based in Morris Plains, New Jersey, Kinrei of America supplies wire and cable manufacturing equipment. 

Omni Cable LLC has named Wade Buick as senior vice president – distribution and operations. He has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience. Most recently, he served as vice president of operations and strategy at Eastern Engineered Wood Products, Inc. He has also held senior roles at Royal Truck and Equipment, Inc., and DuPont - Titanium Technologies (Chemours). A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he holds an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. His seven years in the U.S. Navy include serving as an operations officer in Eastern Afghanistan. Based in Westchester, Pennsylvania, Omni Cable LLC is a redistributor of wire, cable, fiber, electrical and communications products. 

American Industrial Machinery, Inc. (AIM) has named Alfredo J. Moleiro as its new international sales manager. He has more than 18 years of global sales and business development experience across the industrial and airfield markets at 3M, SIEDMENS-ADB and Honeywell. He holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, an MBA in marketing. Based in Tampa, Florida, AIM supplies CNC wire bending technology. 

Priority Wire & Cable has named Jeff Smith as the company’s new regional sales manager - utility. He has 15 years of experience in business and sales management, of which 12 were at General Cable from 2014 to 2021. He holds a B.S. degree in sales management from Georgetown College. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Priority Wire & Cable is a supplier of electrical, electronic and utility wire and cable products with distribution centers located throughout the U.S. and in Toronto, Canada. 

The Southeast Chapter (SEC) golf tournament returned Oct. 16 to the Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, North Carolina, for a beautiful day of golf. The event attracted a total of 115 golfers, who enjoyed the sunny, 70-degree weather, easily topping the 2024 field of 96 players.

The tournament at the par 71 Tom Jackson Course was very competitive, with ties for both 1st and 2nd place (14 under par) and 3rd and 4th place (13 under par). Tiebreakers determined that the winners were the team (pictured below right) of Steve Zande of Service Thread and Paul McConnell, Robert Kidd and Patrick Noble, all of CommScope.

In second place was Darin Nicol and John Downey of Fort Wayne Wire Die with Marc Finch and Harrison Cummings of IWG-HPC. Third place went to Craig Shell and Steve Pinnix of M. Holland Company, with Alex Magid of Westlake and Scott Tucker of CommScope. A shoutout has to go to the fourth place team of Dan Shelander and Joe Phipps of Windak, Eric Yount of CommScope and Paul Douwes of Advaris.

Players commented that the course was a fun challenge. The event kicked off at 11am. Players enjoyed the lunch sponsored by Carris Reels, then took to the driving range for the putting contest sponsored by Process Control Corp., Sonoco and Wire and Plastic Machinery Corp. It was won by Mark MacKimm of Rainbow Rubber and Plastics.

Other skill contest winners included the most accurate drive, sponsored by Sikora, won by Daniel Johnson of Advanced Technology Services, and closest to the pin, sponsored by Sonoco and JoeTools, Inc., which was won by Rocky Colapietro of CommScope and Pat Curtsinger, retired.

Hole sponsors for the event included Carris Reels, Gateway Recovery, Inc., Gem Gravure, Gene Brown Extrusion Techniques, GEON Performance Solutions, L-S Industries, Inc., Magnum Mfg. LLC, M. Holland Company, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, Sikora, Sonoco, Teknikor, Windak Inc., and Wire and Plastic Machinery Corp. Snacks and beverages on course were sponsored by Rainbow Rubber & Plastics and Teknikor. The $10,000 Hole-in-One was sponsored by JoeTools, Inc.

Following the tournament was a dinner and reception sponsored by GEON Performance Solutions and Wire and Plastic Machinery Corp. Participants enjoyed a southern barbecue dinner as Southeast Chapter President John Dognazzi announced the raffle winners. Players walked away with golf putters and gift cards, but the big-ticket item of the evening was an all-inclusive resort getaway sponsored by Wyndham Resorts. Participants cheered and clamored for this prize, but the lucky winner was Frank Wilkins of AFL Global.

Dognazzi said the event was possible due to the passionate volunteers and board members who come together each year to organize this tournament. “We really needed a big year like this. Covid hurt (our numbers) for a bit, but we’ve made a strong comeback.”

Dognazzi also declared that a special “thank you” was due to SEC Treasurer Brooke Stonesifer of Sonoco, who is resigning from the chapter board after over a decade of service.