Sweden’s Axjo Group is expanding the scope of its reel business market by opening a new production facility in Haltom City, Texas.

A press release said that the company plans to begin production at its new 160,586-sq-ft facility, located just outside Fort Worth, in January. The site will support the full U.S. product portfolio, mirroring operations at Axjo’s North Carolina plant. Production of spools and larger cable reels, starting at 30 in. and up, will open doors to new business opportunities across the North American market. The expansion into Texas further strengthens Axjo’s presence in North America and reinforces its role in the global supply chain. The facility will start with 30 employees.

“This is a natural next step for Axjo Group,” said Axjo Group Owner Jacob Nilsson. “We’re clearly seeing a shift in the U.S. market demand for our sustainable cable spools and reels that is growing rapidly. ... it’s only natural to be where our customers are, with local production and a strong presence.”

“Establishing a second U.S. site is a major milestone for us,” said Tim Schultz, CEO of Axjo America. “This expansion brings us closer to our customers in the Southwest and unlocks new opportunities to deliver locally produced, high-performance cable spools and reels with lower environmental impact. It’s a win for business, for the planet, but most of all, for our customers.”

Beyon, a Bahrain-based digital infrastructure provider, announced that it has chosen SubCom to provide the cable for Khaleej North, an 800-km submarine cable system that will further expand the existing Al Khaleej Cable by connecting Bahrain with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

Per a report at bizbahrain.com, the project will expand Beyon’s existing Al Khaleej Cable, which SubCom originally supplied and currently operates. Beyon is a Bahrain-based digital infrastructure provider focused on delivering advanced connectivity solutions across the Gulf region. The new Khaleej North cable will link Bahrain with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. It will also connect into the SEA-ME-WE 6 system, a 21,700-km high-capacity submarine network linking Bahrain with 14 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Beyon Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa described the partnership with SubCom as “strategic and essential” to Bahrain’s digital economy ambitions. “Enhancing our connectivity with greater speed capacity and resilience is vital to building a strong digital foundation,” he said.

SubCom CEO David Coughlan said that the Khaleej North cable will meet rising demand from hyperscalers enterprises cloud providers and government entities by strengthening network resilience and data exchange pathways.

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.