NKT reports that it has signed a long-term contract with major European copper producer KGHM S.A. to ensure that it will get the copper rod it needs for 2023-2027.

 A press release said that the expansion of renewable energy sources has led to considerable increased demand for copper. To secure that essential supply NKT signed a long-term agreement with Polish copper supplier KGHM S.A. for an annual minimum of 52,500 metric tons of copper wire rod for 2023-2027, with an option to expand quantities and extend the contractual period.

“We are pleased to strengthen our long-term collaboration with KGHM by entering into this frame agreement for the supply of copper rod for the coming years,” said NKT President & CEO Claes Westerlind. “And even more so, that we are able to source copper close to where it is needed, which supports our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.”

KGHM is an integrated copper producer with its own mineral resources, mines, smelters and copper rod production facilities in Europe. KGHM’s Głogów and Legnica copper smelters/refineries and Cedynia wire rod plant are Copper Mark certified. In line with its commitment to connect a greener world, NKT has also joined the Copper Mark to promote responsible copper mining and production.

Germany’s August Strecker GmbH & Co. KG (Strecker) this year celebrates its 90th anniversary, with the family-run company continuing its legacy of outstanding quality and innovative welding technology.

Per the company, the commitment to innovation stems back to 1933 when Strecker filed its first patent, laying the foundation for future success. In the following years, the production program was constantly expanded, and sales markets enlarged. Today, Stecker’s product range is the most diverse for welding applications in the wire and cable industry, including models for diameters as small as 0.04 mm for the electronics industry to solid wires up to 60 mm in diameter. Basically, the company can weld any metal which is considered to be weldable.

In this its anniversary year 2023, Strecker is again presenting new products: the soldering gun type LP10 addresses manufacturers of high-voltage transformers while producers of submarine cables can now connect conductor cables up to a cross-section of 3500 mm², i.e., 67 mm diameter, with type MK1200-FPC.

The company’s circle of customers includes well-known international groups such as tire manufacturer Michelin, cable producers such as Nexans and Prysmian, and car manufacturers such as BMW and Volkswagen.

Strecker exports to more than 110 countries, with all five continents equally represented, with around 60% of production remaining in Europe. The company takes part in national and international trade fairs, making the “Strecker” brand increasingly well known worldwide, bolstered by a network of more than 40 foreign representatives who support sales and ensure close customer contact.

Beyond welders, Strecker supplies technical consultancy prior and after purchase, commissioning and personnel training at worldwide locations, as well as support in solving complex tasks related to welding and process optimization. Many issues can be resolved via remote maintenance, and service packages are offered for customers with time-critical production to ensure fast and reliable support every day of the week.

Strecker produces in a climate-neutral and sustainable manner. The company vehicle fleet is gradually being converted to e-mobility and employees are being motivated and encouraged to make the switch.

For almost 60 years, Managing Director Rainer Stock shaped the development and growth of the company. Following his death in 2022, his son, Michael Stock, has managed the family business, supported by key staffers Sigrun Möbus, Uwe Hastrich and Kim Schmitt.

Stock praised the contribution of employees. “Together we can be proud of what we have achieved. We draw motivation from this for continuous progress in the future. Strecker connects!”

Madsen Steel Wire Products has acquired a 100,000-sq-ft facility in Bronson, Michigan, that will house a powder coating line that will apply coating to a wide variety of wire products produced at Madsen Steel Wire’s headquarters in Orland, Indiana, and be able to coat any wire or sheet metal product customers need.

A press release said that the best-in-class powder coating line will enable the company to be a one-stop shop for multiple industries. The expansion was fully backed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) is providing instrumental support with a performance-based grant amounting to $552,000.

“Michigan has been an outstanding partner in growing USA manufacturing by reinvesting in the local community,” said Drew Greenblatt, president and owner of Madsen Steel Wire Products and Marlin Steel Wire Products. He noted that purchases last year included two best-in-class machines: a Trumpf TruBend 3000 press brake and a Schlatter MG950 wire welder to produce wire products quicker and more efficiently while boosting product quality. “With the addition of our new powder coating line, we have further cut down the time spent in the manufacturing process. True to our promise, we continue to deliver on “highest quality, fastest delivery.”

Manner Polymers announces that it plans to invest $54 million to build a new sustainable manufacturing facility in Southern Illinois that will create more than 60 jobs.

A press release said that the new plant in Mount Vernon is being designed with a focus on automation and redundancy to provide the highest levels of product consistency coupled with low cost and unparalleled supply reliability. Production is expected to start in the summer of 2025.

The company serves a broad range of markets including automotive, appliance, construction, telecommunications, industrial, medical and agriculture. Product applications include cable and wire jacketing and insulation compounds for fiber optic cables, data transmission cables, coaxial cables, patch cords and shielded/unshielded twisted pairs.

The new facility will increase the company’s production capacity by 100 million pounds. It will be powered by a 15-acre solar field located on the site.

“Not only will we incorporate best in class manufacturing technology, but we will also produce substantially all of the electricity that we use,” said Manner Polymers CEO Raj Bhargava. “Our objective is to build the lowest cost, highest quality, most environmentally sustainable flexible PVC compounding plant in the world. This will be a transformational plant. It will have industry leading capabilities coupled with a clean energy footprint.”

David Cavassa, who has worked for some 24 years for manufacturers that include Pirelli Telecom Systems and Prysmian Cable Systems SpA in the U.K. as well as suppliers PGI Geca Tapes and Polyone, has opened a consulting firm called Cables & Solutions.

A press release said that Cavassa most recently worked for seven years at UL as business development manager for Europe, then remote global strategy & portfolio innovation manager, wire & cable. He was involved with the 2022 acquisition of Cimteq. He said that his goal is to provide companies the strategic information they need as well as connections with individuals and organizations that can help you run your business, grow revenue and improve your operations and profitability.

Cavassa, whose company is based in France, will primarily work with principals located in Europe, although he said he would be able to help some of them look for customers and partners in other parts of the world. “I also anticipate some of my future clients will be based outside Europe. Finally, I have extensive experience in working with customers, suppliers and partners outside Europe, therefore ‘Europa and beyond’ would best describe the plan.”

Prior to joining UL in 2016, Cavassa worked for three years as an industry consultant. Based on his collective experiences, Cavassa said that he gained a firm knowledge of work materials supply, cable manufacturing, wire and cable testing and certification. He also developed industry cooperations and partnerships that enable him to offer services such as market intelligence, market studies; new technologies, digital solutions; strategy, advisory, M&A, due diligence; materials, products, sourcing, manufacturing; and wire and cable testing, inspection, certification, and compliance.

Cavassa can be contacted at tel. +33-666-013-192, www.cablesandsolutions.com.