NKT has confirmed that it will be a partner for two Scottish power cable projects with SSEN Transmission.

A press release said that last August, NKT had confirmed that it had reserved production and offshore installation capacity for a venture of Scottish transmission system operator (TSO) SSEN Transmission. The company plans to build two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links running from the Western Isles to the Scottish mainland, and from Spittal in Caithness to Peterhead.

NKT has now signed a framework agreement with SSEN Transmission, and the parties have agreed to proceed with initial work for the two interconnectors issued under the framework agreement. The project will support the decarbonization of the power system in Great Britain.

The limited notice to proceed with the projects reflects the exceptional collaboration with SSEN Transmission on interconnector projects like the Caithness-Moray HVDC Link and the ongoing Shetland HVDC Link, said Darren Fennell, EVP & Head of HV Solutions Karlskrona in NKT.

The Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead offshore HVDC transmission links are part of The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design (HND) which is a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain. SSEN Transmission plays a central role in executing on the HND, supporting the journey to meet UK and Scottish Governments 2030 renewable energy and climate change targets. The HND sets out a single, integrated grid design that supports the large-scale delivery of electricity generated from offshore wind.

The Western Isles cable route is approximately 160 km of 525 kV HVDC with a transmission link capacity of 1.8 GW. The Spittal-Peterhead cable route is approximately 220 km of 525 kV HVDC with a transmission link capacity of 2.0 GW. Both projects include on- and off-shore route length, and are scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026.

Southwire announced that it will close its facilities in Santa Fe Springs, Rancho Cucamonga, and Livermore, California as well as reduce some staff as the company continues to realign itself.

A press release said operations will cease at the Livermore and Santa Fe Springs facilities on Oct. 1, 2024, and at the Rancho Cucamonga facility on Nov. 1, 2024. Operations from each of the impacted facilities will be relocated to other existing Southwire locations.

Since 2005, Southwire’s Rancho Cucamonga Customer Service Center (CSC) has served as the company’s primary location for supporting Infrastructure products and Electrical Products and Engineered Solutions (EP&ES) on the west coast. In 2020, Southwire acquired Construction Electrical Products (CEP) and the Livermore facility, further contributing to its EP&ES growth. The company’s Santa Fe Springs facility has primarily supported EP&ES for the west coast since 2019.

“As we work toward improving our customer experience, we must optimize our distribution and manufacturing networks to attain best in class customer service,” said Aaron Asher, Southwire’s senior vice president of Customer Experience. “By leveraging our geographic locations and taking full advantage of our existing network of facilities, we will be positioned to more readily and effectively meet our customers’ needs throughout North America.”

In addition to these facility closures and updates, Southwire has responded to the shifting market conditions by reducing the number of sales and support roles that support the EP&ES business. Impacted persons will be able to apply for open positions within the business.

“The decision to close these facilities, as well as to adjust our staffing in EP&ES, was not made lightly, and it is not a reflection of our team members,” said Peter Lugo, senior vice president of EP&ES. “We would like to thank these team members for their years of service, and we will ensure that those impacted by this decision are treated with dignity and respect throughout the transition.” 

Prysmian announces that it has completed the acquisition of Encore Wire Corporation that had been announced on April 14.

A press release said that the acquisition will strengthen Prysmian’s leadership position in North America. Prysmian will benefit from enhanced cross-selling opportunities, as well as the efficiency and innovation within Encore Wire’s unique production, distribution process and service levels. The transaction also strengthens the weight of the North American business in Prysmian’s geographical footprint.

The combined business will be well-positioned to accelerate the electrification and digital transformation in North America, which includes the growth of data centres and upgrades to the power grid. 

“This acquisition will significantly strengthen Prysmian’s leadership position in North America while creating value for all stakeholders,” said Prysmian CEO Massimo Battaini. “Thanks to the complementary fit of Encore Wire with Prysmian’s existing North American business, we will be better placed than ever to address customers’ needs across the dynamic, highly efficient and growing North American market, while ensuring we are best placed to capture the structural growth opportunities which are being driven by digitalisation and energy infrastructure. There is also a strong cultural fit between Encore Wire and Prysmian because of our shared spirit of innovation and commitment to accelerate the transition towards a low carbon economy. ”

“With the successful completion of the transaction with Prysmian, we are ready to begin an exciting new chapter in our company’s history” said Encore Wire CEO Daniel L. Jones. “I am grateful for the hard work and commitment of our employees and proud of the remarkable value Encore Wire has created with our expansive single-campus model, low-cost production, centralized distribution and product innovation. Encore Wire and Prysmian are two highly complementary organizations, and we look forward to leveraging our enhanced product offerings and strong customer relationships to drive even greater opportunities as part of a larger, global organization.”

The Lesjӧfors Group has increased its spring and pressing operations in Eastern Europe with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Poland alongside an existing plant that is part of Alcomex, its subsidiary.

A press release said that the new production site in Marki, Poland, divides the custom-made tension and torsion spring manufacturing specialisms across two dedicated sites and enables the production and assembly of increased spring volumes, in line with customer demand. “Acquisitions are a core part of the Lesjӧfors growth strategy,” said Lesjӧfors Group CEO Ola Tengroth. He noted that the company has more than 50 production and technical sales offices in Europe, America and Asia, and is “actively looking to acquire more spring manufacturers.”

At the Alcomex website, the Holland-based company notes that it has more than 300 spring employees in nine locations: Opmeer (Netherlands), Moravany u Brna (Czech Republic), Goch (Germany), Marki (Poland), Nędza (Poland), Paris (France), Pune (India), Sibiu (Romania) and Valencia (Spain). It manufactures door springs and industrial springs through its operating brands Alcomex, HZ Solutions and VIOD. Founded in 1992, the company was bought by Lesjӧfors in 2021. 

The Lesjӧfors press release said that investments have also been made at Alcomex’s standard stock door spring operation in Pune, India. That includes advances in cutting-edge technology, production lines, storage and shipping facilities.