Canada’s Mattr Corp. has agreed to acquire AmerCable Incorporated (AmerCable), a globally recognized U.S. manufacturer of highly engineered wire and cable solutions that will be incorporated into Mattr’s Connection Technologies reporting segment

A press release said that the deal, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by the end of the year. AmerCable, which is part of Nexans, is based in the U.S. in Arkansas, where it manufactures electrical power, control and instrumentation cables for harsh environments. The company has some 300 employees and reported 2023 sales of $248 million.

“This agreement aligns with our strategy to refocus on Electrification and simplify the Group,” said Nexans CEO Christopher Guérin. He noted that AmerCable, acquired in 2012, has been a key pillar of Nexans’s Industry & Solutions portfolio. Over the last decade, the business has gone through a significant transformation, and in the last three years, with the implementation of Nexans’s SHIFT program, it has been brought to its full potential and full capacity. “It was therefore the appropriate time to look for a new owner that could invest and grow the business further as our cycle was successfully completed.”

“The pending acquisition of AmerCable will be a significant step forward in (our) strategy to enhance our wire and cable business exposure within the large and growing U.S. market,” said Mattr President Mike Reeves.

Mattr came into existence in 2023 by the rebranding of Shawflex Ltd. to reflect the company’s transformation from an energy services organization into a materials technology company. It is split between a composite systems segment (pipe for oil and gas) and connection technologies, which include Shawflex’s highly specified custom wire and cable products for complex applications and extreme environments as well as shrink tubing products and accessories.

Reeves observed that the transaction will broaden his company’s existing portfolio and add medium-voltage electrical power, control and instrumentation cable solutions. That will enhance North American manufacturing capacity, and allow Mattr to better serve customers in Canada and the U.S.

Last year Mattr announced that it would relocate its Shawflex business to a larger, more efficient facility in Vaughan, Ontario, in a phased manner expected to be completed in 2025, with full production in 2026.

Hellenic Cables, based in Greece, recently announced that it would supply cable for two projects, one in the U.S. and other for the Netherlands.

A press release said that Hellenic Cables will be a supplier to the Leading Light Wind project, a large U.S. offshore wind project located over 40 miles off the coast of New Jersey. The company will provide 65 km of 132 kV inter-array cables for Invenergy, the project’s lead developer, and co-developer energyRe. It noted that Leading Light Wind is the only American-led project in the New York Bight lease area. The delivery of the inter-array cables is scheduled for 2030, with the production of certain cable components starting immediately at the Hellenic Cable plant in Corinth.

Hellenic Cables is part of Cenergy Holdings. “Our contribution ... underscores (our) commitment to providing pioneering solutions that support the energy transition and enhance sustainability on a global scale,” said Cenergy Holdings CEO Alexis Alexiou.

Hellenic Cables also reported that it has a long-term agreement with Enexis Netbeheer (Enexis), one of the Netherland’s largest electricity network operators. Enexis is using eight cable suppliers as part of a €2.3 billion investment program to enhance power distribution infrastructure across five Dutch provinces.

Hellenic Cables will provide a portion of the power cable that will be needed over the next 12 years. That was estimated at 40,000 km of medium-voltage cables and 36,000 km of low-voltage cables to modernize local grids. “This project not only strengthens our presence in the Dutch power distribution market but also represents a sizeable step in Europe’s clean energy transition,” said Hellenic Cables General Manager Kostas Savvakis.

Direct Wire announced that it has begun first production of copper rod at a mill commissioned in a new facility it built opposite the company’s assembly plant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

“This facility marks a significant step forward in how we serve the copper market,” said Anthony Catoia, director of business development for Direct Wire’s Copper Division. “By producing oxygen-free copper rod with enhanced purity and conductivity, we’re positioned to meet the growing demand in industries that require superior copper performance, including energy and high-tech manufacturing.”

The Upcast Oy rod mill makes it possible for the company to provide new products—such as copper rod, stems and future products—for other wire and cable manufacturers as well as applications outside the industry, said Justin Dahl, marketing communications director. He noted that there are only a few U.S. producers of oxygen-free copper rod. It took about 18 months to build the plant and have the rod mill installed. Sizewise, it’s approximately 40,000 sq ft, nearly the same size as the assembly plant across the street. About 10 new employees were hired, and that number will likely grow as the process becomes optimized.

The new facility was described as a testament to Direct Wire’s focus on enhancing its capabilities while staying true to its founding principles. The copper rod mill will play a crucial role in serving not only existing clients but also expanding into new industries and markets, helping fuel growth for years to come.

“We’re really excited about where we are now,” Dahl said. Of note, the company’s new plant was designed to make it possible to add additional capacity. “It’s been built to be future proof,” he said.