WCMA Virtual Presentation 2021 Brings Industry Leaders Together
The WCMA Virtual Presentation 2021, hosted by the Wire & Cable Manufacturers Alliance (WCMA) (wcmainc.org), marked the group’s first online annual meeting. Executive Director Ed Fenton summarized the event, which focused on manufacturing recovery, supply chain efficiency, and future business growth across the wire and cable industry.
Economic Outlook and Growth Expectations
Guest speaker John Traynor, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Peoples Bank Wealth Management (peoplesbankwealth.com), discussed national economic and political trends. He also highlighted potential growth factors and policy shifts likely to influence manufacturing in 2021.
Traynor noted that while oil, gas, and aerospace sectors remain under pressure, most other manufacturing areas performed better than expected during the pandemic. With effective vaccines, he expects gradual recovery and renewed industry momentum over the next one to two years.
Expert Insights on Metals and Supply Chains
The event also featured two management-focused presentations:
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John Gross, of JE Gross Consulting / The Copper Journal (thecopperjournal.com), explored “Cycles in Metal Market Prices” and strategies to manage volatility.
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Mike Kelley, founder of Kelley Productivity Partners (kelleyproductivitypartners.com), presented “Simplifying Supply Chains: More Important Now Than Ever.”
In addition, WCMA plans a follow-up session with Kelley during the first quarter of 2021 to expand on his approach to supply chain optimization.
WCMA Members Maintain Charitable Support
Even with in-person events paused, WCMA members continued supporting key charitable initiatives. Membership dues helped fund donations to Toys for Tots, UCONN Health Center Cancer Research, and scholarships for WAI’s Wire Foundation, IWCS, and The Copper Club.
New Members and Leadership Stability
WCMA added four new member organizations—Encore Wire, Electrolock, Trans Cable International, and Quantum Design. At the same time, the WCMA board extended leadership terms through 2021 to ensure stability during the pandemic.
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Events
The organization plans to hold its Distinguished Career Awards Dinner on April 17 and the Annual Golf Outing and Fundraiser later this year. More updates will appear soon on wcmainc.org.
