Southwire recently reported advances that have been achieved, both on and beyond the shop floor, with the results made possible by its approach to technical innovation, talent development and inclusive growth.

At its Kentucky plant, the company reported that it has completed modernization and expansion projects that have nearly doubled the facility’s size to over 800,000 sq ft and increased its workforce from 427 to 561, with further growth underway. The upgrades included advanced equipment such as wire stranders and coiling machines to boost production capacity, improved safety and enabled the plant to serve a broader range of markets. It noted that infrastructure enhancements and a focus on ergonomics have contributed to a record-low incident rate. The plant’s commitment extends beyond operations, with significant charitable donations and over 700 volunteer hours logged in 2024, earning it the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” award.

Southwire was also recognized for making inclusion a core value at Southwire, as seen by its selection by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2025. The company’s DEI strategy is led by Chief Inclusion Officer Cara Herzog, who oversees efforts to foster an equitable workplace through expanded benefits, partnerships with organizations like Women in Manufacturing, and the installation of Nessel lactation stations across all facilities.

Southwire’s initiatives range from paid parental leave to employee resource groups promote work-life balance and support for women at every level. The company’s recognition is based on employee feedback and independent evaluation, affirming its role as an employer of choice and an industry leader in diversity and inclusion. 

Singapore-based Megamas Resources has placed an order with Norway’s Ulstein Design & Solutions AS to design it a next-generation cable-laying and repair vessel that will be built by German shipyard Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven.

A press release said that the vessel, based on Ulstein’s SX228 design, will be nearly 122 m long with a 23-m beam, a deadweight of 8,200 mt and a cable capacity of 5,500 mt. It will feature advanced dynamic positioning, allowing operations in waters as shallow as 15 m. Key features include two cable tanks (one with a carousel), a guided spooler, an integrated hangar for trenching ROVs, and a stern A-frame for plough deployment. Ulstein’s signature X-BOW hullform will enhance stability and reduce cable strain in rough conditions.

Megamas plans to introduce two of these advanced, fuel-efficient vessels, with the first expected to enter service in early 2026, supporting both telecommunications and offshore wind sectors.

South Korea’s LS Marine Solution, a subsea cable installation company, announced that it plans to invest approximately $252 million to construct one of the world’s largest cable-laying vessels (CLV) as it seeks to expand its presence in the global offshore wind and HVDC markets.

Per a company statement, the new 13,000-ton-class vessel will rank among the top five globally for cable loading capacity and will be the largest in Asia when it enters service in the first half of 2028. The CLV will be capable of simultaneously laying both power and communication cables, a capability currently found in only three vessels worldwide. The shipbuilder has yet to be selected.

The move was described as part of LS Marine Solution’s broader strategy to secure large-scale HVDC and offshore wind projects in Korea, Europe, and North America. The company is positioning itself as a global turnkey project provider in collaboration with its affiliate, LS Cable & System, which is also preparing to launch its LS GreenLink subsea cable factory in the U.S.

In related news, LS Cable & System (LS C&S) signed an MoU with Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) to jointly develop and commercialize submarine cable management technology. They will integrate KEPCO’s real-time submarine cable diagnostic technology with LS C&S’s GIS-based cable asset management platform, aiming for global commercialization and enhanced operational reliability.

The goal is to prevent undersea ultra-high voltage transmission (HVDC) cable accidents. It is possible to predict damage to submarine cables due to fishing activities and preemptively respond by maintaining cables or changing buried locations.

 Orlando Precision reports that it has acquired Aero Spring & Manufacturing Company, Inc., and that it plans to  relocate its operations from Phoenix, Arizona.

A June 1 press release posted at LinkedIn by Orlando Precision said that Aero Spring “has a strong reputation as a trusted supplier of highly specialized components to Tier 1 and Tier 2 aerospace OEMs and their subcontractors.” It produces a wide range of custom and standard springs—including compression, coil, flat, helical, spiral, and clock/watch springs—as well as wire forms, rings, and clamps. The company serves industries such as aerospace, telecommunications and industrial manufacturing, providing both standard and specialized spring solutions.

The posting said that Orlando Precision will relocate Aero Spring to its site in Huntington Beach, California, where it will be integrated into the existing infrastructure and production. Orlando Precision, founded in 1957, was acquired by Crosse Partners in 2009.