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WAI’s Southeast Chapter announces the winners of its 2022 scholarships

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The Southeast Chapter’s Scholarship Committee has reported the names of its four scholarship winners, each of which will get $1,800.

Andres Marcelo Galindo Batocletti is the son of Juan Galindo, vice president, product management, at Southwire Company. He will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where he will major in chemical and biomolecular engineering.

Penelope Grapsas is the daughter of Constantine Grapsas, president of AIM Inc. She will attend American University in Washington, DC, where she will major in international relations and policy.

Dylan Roulaine is the son of Scott Roulaine, director of modernization, Southwire Company. He will attend the University of Alabama, where he will major in industrial engineering.

Duy (Kevin) Vo is the son of Loc Vo, senior electrical engineer, Honeywell. He will attend the University of Missouri Kansas City, where he will major in engineering.

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Last modified on September 2, 2022

Exhibitor interest strong for WAI’s Interwire 2023 exposition

Madison, Connecticut, USA – August 24, 2022 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc., host of the biennial Interwire trade exposition and conference, reports that the 80,000 sq. ft. of available exhibition space is currently fully contracted compelling the organizer to pursue expansion to accommodate additional exhibitors.

The event is slated to run May 9-11, 2023, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.

WAI established a ‘wait list’ and will assign booths as space allows to accommodate the continuing influx of requests for exhibit space.

Commenting on the process, WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme said “It’s clear 2023 will be a great year for Interwire. With the current strength of the industry, the reemergence of industry fairs, and energy focused on trade events, new and returning Interwire exhibitors were quick to book their exhibit space. We want to accommodate every company that submits a request to exhibit.”

Exhibitors who are interested in contracting booth space for Interwire should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for their renewal code or visit https://www.interwire23.com/exhibitor-information/become-an-exhibitor and submit their contract. 

Developing details are shown on the event website: www.Interwire23.com.

The Wire Association International is a not-for-profit association with 1,800 individual members in 50 countries. The association serves the educational needs of the wire and cable manufacturing industry through a variety of products and services. WAI manages the Interwire Trade Exposition and the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo and publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.


Media Contacts: Janice E. Swindells, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-2777 x. 117; Steven J. Fetteroll, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-1777.

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Last modified on August 24, 2022

Interwire booth sales at wire Düsseldorf raises ‘taken’ floor space considerably

8/2/2022 -  

The 2022 staging of wire Düsseldorf proved to be good for both organizers, Messe Düsseldorf and the Wire Association International, which saw impressive sales for exhibit space at Interwire 2023.

At the end of the June 15 points meeting at WAI headquarters, approximately 65,000 sq ft of exhibit space had been taken. By the end of wire Düsseldorf, 13 more companies had signed up for 9,700 sq ft of floor space at the Atlanta show.

The larger booths included: Honta, 1,500 sq ft; Steel Cable Reels, 800 sq ft; Kabmak, 1500 sq ft; Cimteq, 400 sq ft; Microdia, 800 sq ft; and Frekans Makina SAN, 2100 sq ft. An additional 4,800 sq ft has been taken since wire Düsseldorf, and as of July 19 the total reserved space was 76,400 sq ft.

Other exhibitors have indicated that they too plan to secure a booth, but have not finalized their plans. “Given the timing of the points meeting this year, situated between Wire Expo, WAI’s first trade show since 2019, and wire Düsseldorf taking place the following week, we were happy with the exhibitor response. We are working to accommodate continued requests for space and will likely expand the floor plan to do so,” said WAI Director of Sales Shannon Timme, who along with Sales Manager Gina Guzowski were busy meeting exhibitors at the event. She added that Honta, Kabmak and Frekans all plan to bring equipment to Interwire.

The floor plan shows the Interwire floor plan at this time. The blue shaded booths are still available, and companies that want to exhibit can go to the event website, www.interwire23.com for the latest update.

Companies interested in a booth can contact Timme at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Guzowski at gguzowski@wirenet.

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Last modified on August 1, 2022

Time to sign up! Trifecta of chapter golf tournaments awaits golfers next month

8/2/2022 -  

Three chapter golf tournaments are set for September, and registration has been reported strong for all of them as the lure of greens (and bragging rights) call out to players.

Of note, it could be harder to just show up the day of an event as spots are limited and filling fast, so it would be wise to register now. Sponsorship opportunities still exist for each golf tournament, so companies that would like to support their local chapter by either a skills contest or raffle prizes should contact them. Finally, it’s hard to believe, but not everyone is a golfer at heart. Those who would like to enjoy the day but do not want to play are welcome to register for the dinner only and partake in the networking and camaraderie.

First up is the New England Chapter, which will stage its 28th Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner on Monday, Sept. 12, at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) has set Sept. 22 as the date for its annual golf tournament, which will also include an educational program, all to be held on the same day.

OVC 2022 will again be held at The Kennsington Club in Canfield, Ohio, which the chapter has used multiple times. Tentative guest speakers include: Ed Harrington of Strecker USA, who will discuss butt welding complexities and solutions; Jeff Danaher of Abbott Furnace, who will discuss annealing problems and practices; Jim Miller of Scientific Forming Technology, who will discuss applications of the DEFORM system in drawing process simulation.

OVC will start at 7 am with a shotgun start, followed at 2 pm with dinner and the educational program, then the awarding of golf prizes. The night before, Sept. 21, there will be a networking evening at the Kennsington Grill. Contact John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Dave Rascati, 260-750-5736, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On Thursday, Sept. 22, the Southeast Chapter will hold its annual golf tournament & dinner at the Rock Barn Country Club in Conover, North Carolina. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The September issue will have more details on the tournaments. Registration for all of these golf tournaments is now open at the Association’s online registration system at www.wai.configio.com.

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Last modified on August 1, 2022

WAI Midwest Chapter announces 3 scholarship winners for 2022

8/2/2022 -  

Earlier this year, WAI Midwest Chapter Scholarship Committee considered nine applicants for its scholarship program, and chose three, each of whom will receive $1,500. The winners are listed below.

Chloe Ruelle, the daughter of Stéphane Ruelle, operations manager, Condat Corp., is a junior at Michigan State University. She is majoring in special education.

Sarah Skolozynski, the daughter of Stephen Master, general manager, Spring & Wire Form Co., is a freshman at the University of Notre Dame. She is majoring in environmental sciences.

Fiona Wehrle, the daughter of Jay Wehrle, engineering manager, Fort Wayne Metals, plans to attend Purdue University (West Lafayette). She will major in chemical engineering.

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Last modified on August 1, 2022

After 2-year hiatus, Midwest Chapter saw golfing success

7/2/2022 - The Midwest Chapter reports that its annual golf tournament was a day to remember for the field of 68 golfers competing for bragging rights on Wednesday, June 1, at the St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois.

Kevin Sopczak of Liberty Steel, who heads the logistics for the golf tournament, said that the annual golf tournament had been sorely missed as the last two events were not able to be held, “courtesy” of Covid-19, the ultimate scourge and spoilsport. “It was a great day, and everything went off without issue. The day was cloudy, with a high of about 70 degrees, with no rain. It was a picture perfect day for golf.”

The return to the links was warmly greeted. “This was my first WAI Midwest Chapter outing and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said John Hauerwas, heating and heat treating product manager, Radyne Corporation. “My playing companions were pleasant and interesting to be with, some good networking took place and the course, food and hospitality were also good.”

Claiming bragging rights with a winning low score of 64 was the Lake Cable team of Jack Rosenthal, Justin Albright, Dan Pelzel and Fabian Arias. Other challenge winners included: Closest to the Pin, Hole #7, Jack Rosenthal (Lake Cable), Hole #12 Justin Albright (Lake Cable) and Hole #15, Jim DeGrado (Worth Steel); Longest Drive, Hole #2, Jon Singer (Transend Logistics), Hole #14, Dan Pelzel (Lake Cable) and Hole #17, Mike Krueger (Traxit); and Accurate Drive, Hole #11, Rick Fisher.

Sopzak also thanked the sponsors for the event, which included the following. Longest Drive: Chemetall, Worth Steel & Machinery, Suzuki-Garphyttan, Micro Wire & Bar; Closest to the Pin: Chemetall (2 holes) and Leggett & Platt; Accurate Drive: Central Wire; and Corporate Hole Sponsors: Ivaco Rolling Mills, Omni Source, Precision Die Technologies, Charter Steel, Redline Metals, Suzuki-Garphyttan, D & S Wire, Fort Wayne Wire Die and Lake Michigan Metals.

The Midwest Chapter event continues to be a key fundraiser for the body’s scholarship program.

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Last modified on July 2, 2022

Ohio Valley sets date for tourney; total of 3 set for September

7/2/2022 - The Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) has set Sept. 22 as the date for its annual golf tournament, which will also include an educational program, all to be held on the same day.

OVC 2022 will again be held at The Kennsington Club in Canfield, Ohio, which the chapter has used multiple times. Tentative guest speakers include: Ed Harrington of Strecker USA, who will discuss butt welding complexities and solutions; Jeff Danaher of Abbott Furnace, who will discuss annealing problems and practices; Jim Miller of Scientific Forming Technology, who will discuss applications of the DEFORM system in drawing process simulation; Brian Rajotte of OEE Data-Watch, who will discuss automation controls with data acquisition systems; B.J. Austin of Ebner Furnaces, who will discuss furnace issues and solutions; and Tim Moury of Verichek, who will discuss material testing equipment and technology.

Contact John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Dave Rascati, 260-750-5736, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The other two chapter golf tournaments will also be held in September. Up first is the New England Chapter, which will stage its 28th Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner on Monday, Sept. 12, at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On Thursday, Sept. 22, the Southeast Chapter will hold its annual golf tournament & dinner at the Rock Barn Country Club in Conover, North Carolina. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The August issue will have more details on all the tournaments. Registration for all of these golf tournaments is now open at the Association’s online registration system at www.wai.configio.com.

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Last modified on July 2, 2022

WAI chapter golf tournament updates

6/2/2022 -

The WAI’s Midwest Chapter just held its 19th Annual Midwest Chapter Golf Tournament & Dinner at the St. Andrews Golf and Country Club, but there are two more scheduled, and plans are being set for a fourth one.

At press time, the Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) was trying to finalize a 2022 date to hold its annual golf tournament. The goal was to follow up on the successful return to links in 2021, following the cancellation of the official event in 2020 because of Covid. The 2021 event included an educational program. More details will follow as soon as they are set.

What is known are the dates for the New England and Southeast Chapters’ events. Up first is the New England Chapter, which will stage its 28th Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner on Monday, Sept. 12, at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On Thursday, Sept. 22, the Southeast Chapter will hold its Annual Golf tournament & Dinner at the Rock Barn Country Club in Conover, North Carolina. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Last modified on June 2, 2022

WAI welcomes new sales manager

6/2/2022 -

Gina Guzowski has joined Wire Association International as sales manager. She most recently worked at Sargent Manufacturing, where she was a customer support specialist.

Prior to that, Guzowski worked for four years as a customer account representative for RFS, where she handled all the cable, wire and antenna deployments for cell tower build ups. She collaborated with engineering, applications engineers, technical services, teams, project managers, product managers, supply chain, vendors, shipping and logistics until the products were delivered to the site. She holds a degree in international business from Marymount College.

She will report to Shannon Timme, who was promoted to director of sales at the beginning of the year. The two-person sales team will serve the marketing interests of the wire and cable industry by connecting suppliers and customers through the Association’s Interwire and Wire Expo events as well as the Association’s official publication, the Wire Journal International.

“We are excited to have Gina join the team,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “She has a great background, including her wire and cable experience at RFS. She joined the organization at an ideal point as she will be supporting the organization at Wire Expo and at the Association’s booth in wire Düsseldorf.”

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Last modified on June 2, 2022

WAI Platinum Member program shows very good results over last 12 months

6/2/2022 -

From last May to this May, the WAI has added a total of 26 new companies to the Association’s Platinum portfolio. The gain is impressive as in 2021 WAI was not able to stage Interwire, which is a strong event for adding members as well as Platinum Members.

Per the Association’s bylaws, WAI membership operates on an individual basis, so the Platinum membership works a bit differently. The Platinum option is a good incentive for companies to register a group of up to five individuals with a slight savings and some additional perks (such as their logo on the homepage of the Association’s website). There is no limit as to how many Platinum groups a company could have. However, the memberships still work as individual ones.

WAI’s total member base now tops 2,000, and is expected to see further growth thanks to the return of in-person events. That number now includes 271 individuals who fall into the Platinum Member category.

One of the new Platinum Member companies—Kimber Kable, a specialist in high-end audio cables owned by WAI Life Member Ray Kimber—described the Association as a dependable resource in professional development and networking. “With the ongoing workforce challenges coupled with the disruptive Covid environment, companies recognize that membership provides high value educational services and a connection to the broader profession. Seeing more companies sign up for Platinum Memberships confirms that we are following a direction that the industry needs and appreciates.”

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Last modified on June 2, 2022

Reminder: Interwire 2023 points meeting to be held June 15 at WAI headquarters

6/2/2022 -

In just a few days, Wire Expo 2022 will be held in Dallas, but coming up quickly is an important meeting that is essential to Interwire 2023.

The WAI will hold the points meeting for Interwire 2023 on Wednesday, June 15, at its headquarters in Madison, Connecticut. The process determines how booths are assigned based on the WAI’s established priority point program. For more details, contact the WAI sales team of Shannon Timme and Gina Guzowski.

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Last modified on June 2, 2022

Annual Meeting in Dallas to offer a return to sorely missed live gathering

5/4/2022 -

Annual Meeting in Dallas to offer a return to sorely missed live gathering

On-line meetings were certainly better than no event, but it is safe say that the WAI welcomes the return to a live format for the annual meeting on Wednesday, June 8, which will honor the winners of three awards as well as present a timely keynote presentation.

The meeting element itself is brief as it is procedural, but the breakfast session will see the presentations of the Mordica Memorial Award to Anand Bhagwat, manager, quality and technology at Minova USA; the Donnellan Memorial Award to Richard Wagner, the senior vice president and COO of Insteel Industries; and the President’s Award to Joe Downes, a long-time Leggett & Platt executive who retired as senior v.p. in 2015.

The gathering will also include comments from Keynote speaker Ty Garrison, senior vice president of operations, Commercial Metals Co., whose theme feels very appropriate: “Leadership in a Volatile World.” He will discuss how the last few years have strained businesses across the globe as Covid forced companies to deal with events like virtual work, burn out, unprecedented supply chain disruptions and volatile markets. Such challenges test the leadership at every level of an organization, and are essential to master for companies to thrive.

The annual meeting will, as ever, serve as a good place for WAI members to gather.

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Last modified on May 4, 2022

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