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South Korea’s LS Cable & System (LS C&S) reported that it has signed an agreement to supply high-voltage submarine cable to Ørsted for renewable energy projects in Taiwan, where it notes that it has done extremely well.

A press release said that LS C&S will supply the cable for Denmark’s Ørsted—which it has partnered successfully with—for use in its Greater Changhua 2b and 4 offshore wind projects in Taiwan. Located 35 to 60 km from the Changhua coast in western Taiwan, it will be among the largest offshore wind farms in the Asia-Pacific region when it is completed at the end of 2025, able to generate 920 MW of renewable energy.

With the latest order, LS C&S has supplier rights for all eight projects of the Taiwan’s Phase 1 Offshore Windfarm Construction Projects. The accumulated amount of orders since 2019 are worth approximately 1 trillion won (about $776 million).

Taiwan is planning to complete the construction of offshore wind farms with total output of 5.5 GW through the first phase of the project by 2025 and will build additional offshore wind farms for an additional output of 15 GW by 2035. “We expect additional orders to be placed from Taiwan and estimate that the submarine cable market will be worth around 3 trillion won (about $2.328 billion),” an LS C&S spokesperson said.

The release said that LS C&S expects to see further positive results from its relationship with South Korea’s KT Submarine. Last December, LS C&S paid about $19.3 million to acquire 16% of the share of KT Submarine, an underwater construction firm that provides installation and repair services for submarine cable.

LS C&S notes it also has a call option that it can exercise that would enable it to be the largest shareholder in the company. Further, there are only about five companies in the world capable of both submarine cable manufacturing and construction, and LS C&S is the only company in Korea to be capable of such services.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

As part of $73 million in investments, Superior Essex Communications plans to expand its plant in Brownwood, Texas, by 90,000 sq ft to help meet strong global demand for OSP fiber optic cables, drop fiber and hybrid cables.

A press release said that the additional space will expand the site to more than 500,000 total sq ft of production space. The initiative is expected to create 170 new jobs, and some existing positions will be switched from manufacturing legacy OSP copper cable to optical fiber cables.

The investment will include manufacturing equipment and incorporate green building practices—such as Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting and the use of repurposed equipment—and explore the use of solar and battery power sources for the plant.

“The Brownwood plant improvements are not only an investment in our company, but also an investment in U.S. manufacturing and in communities across America,” said Superior Essex Communications President Brad Johnson. “This expansion will create manufacturing jobs right here in America, which will bring more employment opportunities to the Brownwood
region and boost production of American-made broadband products.”

Superior Essex Communications is focused on creating the future of smart and sustainable communications by developing technology that connects and respects the world, can be deployed to support Government initiatives supported by the company to increase U.S. high-speed internet access for all Americans.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

JDR Cable Systems (JDR), part of the TFK Group, has won a contract to supply, test and terminate the 66 kV dynamic inter-array cables (IAC) for independent renewable energy producer Qair’s floating offshore wind Eolmed pre-commercial 30 MW project.

A press release said that the Eolmed project is located in the south of France, 18 km off the coast of Gruissan and Port-La Nouvelle in the Occitanie region. It will connect the wind project to the French Electricity Transmission Network (RTE), providing approximately 100 million kWh per year of power. The site will have three wind turbines anchored to the seabed in a water depth of some 60 meters.

JDR will manufacture the 66 kV dynamic cables at TFK’s Bydgoszcz plant in Poland, with final assembly and testing at JDR’s U.K. plant in Hartlepool. The cabling is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2024.

JDR Sales Director John Price noted that the company recently worked on Eoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion’s floating wind project. That experience is helpful as projects continue to involve deeper water depths that require more complete planning analysis.

The contract stems from France’s aim to have 40 GW of offshore wind capacity in operation by 2050. The release said there are some 50 projects to meet that goal, and that Qair was preselected for four of the first eight tenders.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

Organizers report that the recent first staging of the wire and Tube Eurasia trade fairs, held within the framework of the two established Turkish trade fairs Wire TECH Istanbul and Tube & Steel Istanbul, was a great success. Wire TECH Istanbul and Tube & Steel Istanbul 2023 were organized by Tüyap, a leading Turkish trade fair organizer and venue operator, while Messe Düsseldorf was in charge of wire and Tube Eurasia 2023.

A press release said that 210 exhibitors participated over 8,000 sq m of net exhibit space in the four events in Istanbul. More than 10,000 visitors from Turkey and neighboring countries came to the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center to learn about innovations and trends in the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries.

“A promising start to the premiere in Istanbul. A positively charged atmosphere in the exhibition halls right from the start - that makes you want more. The four days of the trade fair in Istanbul have shown that Turkey is a supra-regional hub for the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries,” said Bernd Jablonowski, executive director of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.
With just five months preparation, the Messe Düsseldorf team and Tüyap succeeded in organizing a compact industry platform for Turkey and the surrounding regions which reflects the sectors’ innovation strength.

Starting in 2025, wire and Tube Eurasia will be held every two years as independent trade fairs at the Istanbul location. From Turkey, there are short trade routes to the neighboring countries and Asia, which means that the most important target countries can be reached. With wire and Tube Eurasia, the global network of satellite events in Messe Düsseldorf’s wire, Tube & Flow Technologies portfolio continues to grow. This year, satellite trade fairs will take place in Egypt, China and Thailand.
For further information on visiting or exhibiting at wire or Tube Eurasia 2025, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312-781-5180 or info@mdna, and visit www.wire-eurasia.com and www.tube-eurasia.com.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

LS Cable & System announced in Korea IT Times that it has signed an MOU with the Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI) for cooperation in next-generation optical communication technology for advanced communication systems such as 5G and 6G. The two companies plan to expand optical communication technology cooperation and human exchange, starting with the development of multi-core optical fiber. “Multicore optical fiber is so difficult that only a few European and Japanese companies have succeeded in developing it. ... We have an ability to overcome the technical challenges associated with multi-core optical fiber development.”

... Southwire’s President and CEO Rich Stinson added to his long string of industry accolades, being named the 2023 Most Respected Business Leader by Georgia Trend!, a monthly magazine covering business and finance in Georgia. The publication did a lengthy piece outlining the company’s accomplishments under his leadership, both financially as well as its approach to sustainability and employee diversity.

... Chroma Color Corporation announced that it was recently awarded a Silver rating from EcoVadis for 2023. “After receiving the Bronze award last year ... we implemented programs to become more cognizant of the use of our resources such as reduction of water usage, improving air quality, reuse of scrap materials, and reduction of electricity usage. We will continue to identify additional areas where we can reduce our carbon footprint and become more socially mindful and responsible as it is the right and good thing to do for all of us and our future,” said Chroma Color’s Corporate Quality & Regulatory Manager Jennifer Presnell.

... SIKORA AG reports that it was named a “Germany’s innovation leader 2023” by the F.A.Z.-Institut, which analyzes worldwide patent applications from over 500 technology and knowledge areas. It evaluates the number of patents submitted in the last 10 years and their relevance. Last year, SIKORA, which annually invests about 10% of its revenue in R&D, was named an innovation leader for “Measuring, testing.” It was cited again in 2023, for the category for “Processing of plastics.”

... The Prysmian Group announced the availability of its Lifeline® RC90 fire resistive cables in Canada. The cables officially received its ULC-S139 listing and meet all the requirements of the Canadian National Building and Electrical Safety Codes and is now available for immediate implementation across the country within a variety of industries, including healthcare facilities, transportation networks and more

Last modified on June 30, 2023

Perfection Industrial Sales, in association with Martin Kenner of Commission Brokers Inc., will hold a live auction via webcast for the sale of assets from two wire manufacturers.

The first auction, to be held Sept. 12, at 10 am central time, is for equipment from a major wire and cable manufacturer in Waukegan, Illinois. The vast majority of the equipment was being used for production until the end of June and is in good condition. The items include extruders, take-ups and payoffs, accumulators/dancers, different types of cablers; spiral stripers, taping and binder heads, steel reels, dual wheel capstan assemblies, silos and much more. The equipment—which is offered as-is, where-is—needs to be out before the end of the month. Further details can be found online at: www.perfectionmachinery.com/auctions/listings/.

The second auction, which does not have a date set yet, is for the remaining assets of a thermocouple wire manufacturer. That includes a Royle Teflon extrusion line, Wardwell braiders, Davis Electric rewinders and ancillary equipment.

For more details call Martin Kenner at Commission Brokers, Inc., at tel. 401-943-3777, or by e-mail at

either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.commissionbrokers.com.

Last modified on August 5, 2023

Following the successful staging of Interwire 2023, the WAI is now focused on the 2024 WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo (Wire Expo), and it all starts with the points meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11.

The Association will return June 11-12, 2024, to the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. It ably hosted Wire Expo 2016 and had been scheduled to do so again in 2020 before Covid upended those plans.

The Wire Expo show floor saw a total of 240 companies represented on the show floor, and WAI Director of Sales Shannon Timme, CEM, wants companies interested in being there to be prepared for the Points Meeting. Exhibitors must be in good standing and have submitted their contract with full payment.

The Points Meeting determines the order in which exhibitors get to choose a location. The following parameters affect the points system: years of exhibiting, square footage (or size) of stands and continuity of years exhibiting.

Points for the system include exhibit space at WAI’s Wire Expo and Interwire shows. Exhibitors must have proof of insurance before they can take part in the Points Meeting. For more details, contact Timme at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Last modified on June 30, 2023

The WAI’s Midwest Chapter reported a sound success for its 20th annual golf tournament, held at the prestigious St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois. There were 72 slots, and all were taken by golfers who got to enjoy what proved to be a wonderful day.

The tournament began on a high note with a delightful breakfast, where participants fueled up for the thrilling day ahead. As the sun peeked through the clouds, the golfers gathered for the shotgun start at the meticulously maintained greens and challenging fairways of St. Andrews. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with camaraderie and friendly competition, as players showcased their skills and enjoyed the game.

The winning team, from Lake Cable—Daniel Pelzel, Dan Borst, Justin Albright and Jack Rosenthal—proved to be unstoppable, shooting a very respectable 57 to grab top honors and bragging rights. The company had a strong presence at the event as Cooper Runzel, vice president of insulating manufacturing at Lake Cable, LLC, had signed up 16 of his employees to participate in the tournament.

John Markowski, WAI’s manager, membership & social media—who attended the event and also went on a tour of Lake Cable’s plant—said that he was impressed by Runzel’s support of the event. “It is inspiring to see a leader who fosters a strong sense of community within their organization, committed to employee engagement and team spirit.”
A long-time key organizer for the golf tournament, Kevin Sopczak, said that the event went off without a hitch. It made for a great day to see everyone enjoying themselves, he said. As a sidenote, he noted that he has left his position at Liberty Steel and now works for Castle Metals, which has a product range that includes some wire, so he remains in the industry and plans to continue helping out with future chapter activities.

Markowski said that Sopczak’s dedication, leadership and tireless work were instrumental in organizing and executing this memorable event. “His unwavering commitment to the industry and the Midwest Chapter is truly commendable.”

Following the golf, participants convened for a well-deserved reception, dinner and awards presentation. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement as the tournament’s winners were announced and celebrated for their outstanding performances. The event provided an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to network, share experiences and forge new connections.

Chapter officials thanked event sponsors for their generous support. That included Liberty Steel (Accurate Drive); Chemetall North America, Merit Steel and Traxit North America LLC (Closest-to-the-Pin); Micro Wire, The Rubicon Group and Worth Steel & Machinery Inc. (Long Drive). Also, Charter Steel, D&S Wire, Fort Wayne Wire Die Inc, Ivaco Rolling Mills, Lake Michigan Metals, OmniSource, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS and Tri Star Metals (corporate hole sponsorships). Their collective commitment and support contributed significantly to the overall success of the event, which helps support the scholarship program.

Markowski said that while golfers thrive on the sport, there was more to it than just that. “This event not only celebrated two decades of camaraderie and industry excellence but also fostered meaningful connections and friendships among the participants. ... Here’s to another 20 years of success, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments at WAI’s Midwest Chapter Golf Tournament. Until next year, may your drives be accurate, your putts be precise, and your spirits high!”

Last modified on June 30, 2023

IEWC has named Martin Rohde as president and chief business officer of its Global Infrastructure Group, tasked will leading the newly formed infrastructure business that was created earlier this year to focus on growth industries such as telecom, data centers, solar and renewable energies, power grids, and industrial automation. He has more than 25 years of experience in the B2B distribution space, and led transformational business changes at Arrow Electronics, Hewlett Packard, Amazon Business, and most recently, Parts Town. He will oversee IEWC’s telecom brands (Cablecon and Jupiter Communications), IEWC’s Premier Cables business in Europe, as well as lead business development within other infrastructure markets. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, IEWC is a global distributor of wire and cable products, a manufacturer of custom fiber assemblies, and a provider of value-add solutions that advance a connected world.

Southwire announced a series of personnel news. Norman Adkins, Southwire’s president of Wire and Cable and COO, will assume responsibility for the company’s Tools, Components and Assembled Solutions (TCAS) business. He replaces Brandon Moss, who resigned to take a role outside the company. Peter Lugo, senior vice president of product management, will report to Adkins and lead Southwire’s TCAS business. Alan Bearden, senior vice president of strategic integration, will now report to Guyton Cochran, executive vice president and CFO. Based in Carrollton, Georgia, Southwire Company is a world-leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of building wire and utility cable.

Brad Andrews was promoted to senior marketing manager wire drawing, North America, at Condat Corporation. He joined the company in 2016, serving as marketing manager, North America. Prior to that he worked in related industrial companies for some 29 years, including Bazetta Steel Processing, Capital Steel & Wire, Solon Wire Processing, BCS Industries/BSC Metal Prep, LLC, and Metal Processing Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree in business administration and management from Ohio University. He was also an instructor in WAI’s Fundamentals of Wire & Cable Manufacturing course at Interwire 2023. Based in Saline, Michigan, USA, Condat Corporation supplies lubricants and coatings to sectors that include the wire and cable industry.

Belden Inc. announced that Jay Wirts, president of smart buildings, has been appointed to the newly created position of executive vice president of enterprise solutions. He was cited for his extensive industry experience and track record of driving operational excellence that make him the right fit to drive future growth at the Enterprise Solutions segment. He joined Belden in 2018, and most recently served as president of Smart Buildings, where he was responsible for operations, product development, and financial performance. Prior to that, he served in other leadership roles at Belden including vice president and general manager of Industrial Cable Solutions within the Industrial Automation Solutions segment. Prior to Belden, he served in various roles in Emerson and Vertiv following more than six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University and an MBA from Northwestern University. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Belden Inc. is a leading global supplier of network infrastructure solutions.

Matt Wasinger has joined National Standard as the new district sales manager/industrial wires, responsible for managing distributors and end users for the company’s industrial wire portfolio. He has a strong background, with experience in welding and industrial product sales. Most recently he worked as a business development specialist. He has held sales positions with Fastenal Company, Praxair, Brennan Industries and Matheson Tri-Gas. A member of The Heico Companies, National Standard produces a range of wire at its plants in Niles, Michigan, and Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Service Wire has promoted Ron Spozio to regional sales manager for the pump and irrigation markets of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He joined the company in 2022 and has over 19 years of sales experience in the metal industry. He holds a degree in humanities from the University of Houston. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire is a family-owned wire and cable manufacturer.

Joe Cebulski has been named a US country manager for Mattr Connection Technologies DSG-Canusa & Shawflex. He has 30 years of industry experience, starting in 1992 with Rome Cable, where he was a regional vice president. In 2003 he joined Shawcor, where he was a country manager for the piping company. In June 2023, Shawcor rebranded to Mattr, “reflecting its transformation from an energy services organization, into a materials technology company, providing differentiated, high-performance products to critical infrastructure markets around the world.” He attended La Salle University. Based in Toronto, Mattr has three business segments, one of which is Connection Technologies, which includes Shawflex, a manufacturer of engineered wire, cable and assemblies.

Fil-Tec Inc. announced the promotion of Christine Lovett to vice president, responsible for the global business development of the company’s wire and cable business unit. Since joining Fil-Tec, she has served as director of business development for specialty coated fibers used in the cable industry. She has been active in new product development, various process improvement and quality programs as well as customer development. Prior to joining Fil-Tec, Lovett served some 24 years in roles of increasing responsibility at industry suppliers LLFlex, Sonoco and Zumbach. Based in Hagerstown, Maryland, Fil-Tec is a leading global supplier of technical fibers (binders, fillers and ripcords) to cable manufacturers.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

NKT has signed a contract to supply the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) onshore power cable system for the Hertel-New York project, which is the Canadian transmission line in the U.S. that will connect to the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line.

A press release said that NKT will design and manufacture a 2 x 60 km 400 kV HVDC onshore cable system that has an estimated value of €90 million. The power cables will be produced in Karlskrona, Sweden, and are expected to be delivered in 2024.

As a part of the overall transmission of sustainable hydropower from Canada to New York City, Hertel-New York will facilitate the onshore power transmission from the Hertel substation in Quebec, Canada, to the submarine section that continues to the U.S. border, where it connects to the CHPE transmission line. Once completed, the transmission line, one of the largest infrastructure investments in the history of New York, will help the state meet its goals of having 70% of power generation and consumption come from renewable energy sources by 2030.

“I am very satisfied that we have been awarded the contract for Hertel-New York which further cements our position as a key partner in ensuring the transmission of renewable power to New York,” said NKT President & CEO Alexander Kara. “This is a key project for NKT, and we are looking forward to close collaboration with Hydro-Québec. We aspire to continue to expand our market presence in Canada and the U.S. where we expect the green transition to create additional growth opportunities.”

Last modified on June 4, 2023

(PAWCATUCK, CONN.) – As part of a company-wide commitment to customer service and environmental sustainability, Davis-Standard’s manufacturing facility in Fulton, N.Y., recently attained ISO 14001 certification. This certification validates processes across the board, internally and externally, and serves as a benchmark for Davis-Standard’s ongoing pursuit of operational excellence, sustainable practices and process improvement. This is the third Davis-Standard facility to become ISO 14001 certified in addition to facilities in Finland and Switzerland. All of Davis-Standard’s global facilities are slated to become ISO 14001 certified by 2025.

“ISO 14001 certification directly aligns with our sustainability efforts concerning safety, quality and productivity to address customer needs while also strengthening internal practices,” said Giovanni Spitale, Davis-Standard CEO. “Every aspect of our business at all Davis-Standard facilities must support industry-wide quality standards in order to fulfill the value proposition we offer customers. This includes focusing on equipment development and manufacturing efforts that reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and recyclability.”

At the core of ISO certification is the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. This is achieved by enhancing customer fulfillment through an effective quality management system (www.iso.org). All issues are addressed at the source to support best practices.

Davis-Standard, LLC (www.davis-standard.com), headquartered in Pawcatuck, Conn., is a global leader in the design, development and distribution of extrusion and converting technology.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – IEWC is pleased to announce that it has become a member of Affiliated Distributors (AD). AD is an international organization with over 850 independent distributor members serving the US, Mexico, and Canada. AD recruits high-performing, independent distributors with a positive track record of ethical and financial stability, above-average growth, and a willingness to collaborate and share best practices with fellow members. 


By joining the $74.9 billion AD network, IEWC can take advantage of new opportunities to strengthen existing efforts for growth and innovation. Additionally, adding AD’s resources will support IEWC's efforts to expand into new and existing markets while deepening its connections with other independent distributors. This allows IEWC to gain valuable insights and increase responsiveness to industry trends.


Karen Baker, AD’s President of the Electrical-US Division, commented, "I am pleased to welcome IEWC, a strong independent distributor, to the family. We look forward to partnering with IEWC in the years ahead as they continue their track record of success while working closely to accelerate their impressive growth rate with AD and suppliers.”


“At IEWC, we are passionate about helping our customers be successful and grow,” said Pat Rislov, Chief Supply Chain Officer. “This partnership will allow IEWC to take the next step in continuing to develop our supplier partnerships while offering the opportunity to network within our industry. AD offers an ideal environment that advances our mission of being an entrusted partner to our suppliers and customers.”

 About IEWC - (www.iewc.com)

IEWC is a global distributor of wire and cable products, a manufacturer of custom fiber assemblies, and a provider of value-add solutions that advance a connected world. With 23 locations in 11 countries, IEWC serves a wide range of OEM and infrastructure customers, including sub-assemblers, installers, and contract manufacturers in multiple industries, including electric vehicles, automotive, telecom, data centers, industrial automation, aerospace & defense, and building systems.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

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