10/1/21 – Hitachi Cable has taken a step toward closing its plant in Pensacola, Florida, and moving those operations to Mexico.
Per a report in the Pensacola News Journal, Hitachi Cable has filed a notice with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to notify the state that it was closing its Pensacola manufacturing operations by the end of next March.
The company said in a statement that approximately 300 salaried and hourly workers will be affected by the plant’s closing. In the notice to the DEO, the company said 202 employees at the Pensacola plant would lose their jobs.
The plant on Ely Road was built in 1985 and was owned by Coupled Products Inc. until it was sold to Hitachi Cable America in 2008, according to county property records. The plant manufactures components and cables for anti-lock braking systems and hybrid vehicles.
10/1/21 – Medicoil, a division of R&L Spring Company, announced that it has broken ground for a 40,000-sq-ft expansion to its facility in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
A press release said that the new manufacturing space is scheduled for completion in early 2022 and will support their continued growth in the medical device market. “For the fourth time since 1997 we are again proud to expand our manufacturing business,” said company owner and President Scott Forsythe.
Per its website, Medicoil was formed in 1992, a division of R&L Spring Company, which began in 1972. It supplies precision springs and wireforms to a wide range of OEMs in powersports, automotive, medical, and other general industries markets. The Medicoil brand was established in 2000 to focus on opportunities in the medical market. It has preferred-supplier status among some of the world’s leading medical device companies for its prevision coiled and formed wire products that are used in components and subassemblies that go into implantable devices. Medicoil’s modern facilities include an ISO 7 (Class 10,000) Clean Room.
R&L Spring Company notes that it is a preferred source of OEMs for precision springs, rings, wireforms and four-slide components, plus secondary and finishing processes.
10/1/21 – Nexans announced that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with Xignux SA of Mexico to acquire Centelsa, a premium cable maker in Latin America, for an undisclosed price.
A press release said that Centelsa, based in Colombia, produces cable for building and utilities applications. It was described as an “iconic world class cable maker,” with annual revenues of more than US$250 million and an enterprise value of US$225 million. The closing, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to take place in the first half of 2022.
The Centelsa acquisition “is fully aligned with (our) strategic ambition to become a pure electrification player,” said Nexans CEO Christopher Guérin. The addition will further contribute to Nexans’s ability to serve renewable projects in the Andean Region and enhance its capacity in building and energy distribution.
“This combination will be the stepstone to grow our best-in-class solutions and unique premium brand,” said Viakable-Centelsa CEO Sergio Valdes. “The Centelsa team has demonstrated, for more than six decades, professionalism in delivering high value to our customers. As a global player in energy transmission, Nexans is a great fit to lead the next phase of growth for Centelsa´s customers and employees. Jointly, there is a promising future ahead.”
Centelsa was cited as being the first cable manufacturer in Colombia. Per Centelsa’s website, the company’s origin traces back to 1955, when INCE Ltda (Industria Nacional de Conductores Eléctricos) started its operation in the city of Cali, manufacturing low-voltage cables as magnet wire for applications in motor winding. In 1961, Ceat General of Colombia S.A. was established through the merger with U.S.-based General Cable Corporation and Italy’s Ceat International. It expanded in 1980 with a second plant, then a third in 1993. In 1994, CENTELSA (Cables De Energia Y Telecomunicaciones S.A.) was formed by the merger of Ceat General De Colombia S.A., Facomec and Fadaltec S.A. In 2012, it became part of the Viakable, the cables division of Xignux, a Mexican industrial group.
Over the years, Centelsa won numerous awards and certifications. Today, it has a network of strategically located offices to cover the national and international market, thus offering an opportune service.
9/30/21 – It's October already but not too late to register for the IWCS starting this Monday, October 4th, kicking off with the annual Executive Session for Management, Panel Discussion, and Keynote presentation. Take in the Technical Sessions and Virtual Exhibition for the balance of the week!
Executive Session
This program element presents important information you need to manage your business. This session is designed for the general management of the wire and cable producing companies and their suppliers. Important issues facing the industry will be addressed by expert speakers in a provocative session which will be followed by a panel of industry leaders reflecting on the issues. Presentations by key industry analysts and market experts are featured as follows:
2021 Executive Session Presentations
A Wire And Cable Market Boom Amid Risks, Chenfei Wang, Senior Analyst, CRU International.
Opportunities For The Optical Cable Market In A Post-Pandemic World, Michael Finch, Head of Wire & Cable, CRU International
Global Economic Outlook, Robert Fry, Chief Economist, Robert Fry Economics
Panel Discussion
Insightful perspectives and answer your questions on Connectivity Technology Trends and Critical Infrastructure. Chenfei Wang, Michael Finch, and Robert Fry will join the following panelists to comprise a well-rounded panel that includes: Trevor Smith, VP of Strategy & Business Development, CommScope; Ric Johnson, SVP Broadband Networks, CommScope; Boh DuPree, Dir. Network Investments, Facebook; and Roland Montagne, Principal Analyst/Director IDATE/DigiWorld Institute.
Keynote Address
Demand/Needs for Connectivity Infrastructure in a Post Pandemic World, Trevor Smith, VP of Strategy & Business Development, CommScope
Visit www.iwcs.org.
9/23/21 – Madison, Connecticut, USA. The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. will host a Virtual Industry 4.0 Conference along with its 91st Annual Convention on Oct. 26-27, 2021, as a continuation of its educational mission. The virtual format gives registrants the opportunity to participate from any location; interact with speakers; and also to replay sessions of interest.
Remarking on the introduction of the new conference, WAI President Tom Heberling said, “Offering this conference virtually is valuable for everyone who wants to understand how Industry 4.0 technologies apply to wire making. We are thrilled that the speakers—originally scheduled for Interwire—are cued up and ready to bring their expertise and energy to the program. We’ve adjusted our expectations upward since attendance is convenient for all.”
The 21 sessions feature speakers from manufacturing companies currently using Industry 4.0 technologies in their plants, as well as representatives from a wide range of suppliers that offer solutions in this space. Session categories include: Big Data; IoT; Industrial IoT; Process Automation; Smart Factories; Smart Planning; Smart Integration; and Virtual Reality.
The WAI Annual Convention features the following keynote speakers on Oct. 26 and 27, respectively.
Award-winning filmmaker Brett Culp presents “Superhero Leadership: How everyday people can have an extraordinary impact; and Kathleen Edge, EVP Operations, Southwire Company LLC presents: “Connected – flexible operating system.”
This program has the generous support of the following sponsors: Cerro Wire LLC; Encore Wire Corp.; Gem Gravure Co. Inc.; James Monroe Wire and Cable Corp.; Lloyd & Bouvier Inc.; Prysmian Group; SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS; Sonoco Reels & Spools; Southwire Co. LLC; Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp.
Discounts are available for WAI members. Tickets are $90 USD for full access; and $110 for full access plus new WAI membership.
Visit: https://waiindustry40.heysummit.com/ for full details and to register.