IEWC is proud to be named a partner to The Copper Mark, a recognition of and commitment to responsible sourcing policy and strategy. The Copper Mark is an independent assurance framework that promotes responsible copper production and encourages contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is the first and only framework developed specifically for the copper industry to demonstrate responsible production performance to customers, investors, final manufacturers and other stakeholders.

Pat Rislov, IEWC Chief Supply Chain Officer, explains, “Adopting The Copper Mark reinforces IEWC’s commitment to procuring copper products that are sourced through responsible environmental and social production practices across our global operations. As a wire and cable solutions, IEWC relies on copper as a metal central to our purpose: Advancing a connected world. Whether it’s for wire and cable for original equipment manufacturers; custom assemblies and power cables that advance reliable telecommunications networks; or cables that expand infrastructure; we are dedicated to supporting this progress sustainably with responsibly produced copper.”

To receive The Copper Mark, copper producers must be assessed independently against a comprehensive set of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The framework is focused on copper producers at the beginning of the supply chain, but also includes The Copper Mark Partners: distributors like IEWC, fabricators, and other related parties, with the goal of establishing a chain of custody for the entire copper supply chain.

“We are delighted to welcome IEWC as our newest partner,” said Michèle Brülhart, Executive Director, The Copper Mark. “A major wire, cable, and wire management supplier, IEWC plays an important part in responsible copper supply chains ― both as a customer of copper producers and a supplier of copper-containing products. We look forward to collaborating with IEWC to promote responsible production practices for copper.”

The Copper Mark was originally developed by the International Copper Association (ICA) with input from financial institutions, commodities exchanges, NGOs, OEMs, and copper fabricators. It is now an independent entity. To learn more, visit coppermark.org.

About IEWC - (iewc.com) IEWC is a global distributor of wire and cable products, manufacturer of custom fiber assemblies, and provider of value-add solutions that advance a connected world.

As part of a company commitment to ‘continuous improvement’, the Calibration Laboratory at Pelican Wire has been registered as ‘ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited’ by ANAB, the ANSI National Accreditation Board.

Pelican Wire Calibration Specialist, Ed Valykeo, says “While the existing ISO 9001:2015 Accreditation covers our quality systems and processes, this newest Accreditation is specific to our Calibration Laboratory. Going through the long & detailed approval process only makes us better & it speaks highly of our ability to produce precise and accurate test results and calibration data. Along with our ISO 9001 Accreditation, the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation ensures our Calibration Lab will continue to exceed our customers’ needs and expectations.

ISO/IEC 17025 is useful for any organization that performs testing, sampling or calibration and wants reliable results. This includes all types of laboratories, whether they be owned and operated by government, industry or, in fact, any other organization. The standard is also useful to universities, research facilities, governments, regulators, inspection bodies, product certification organizations and other conformity assessment bodies with the need to do testing, sampling, or calibration.

Robert Soares, Quality Manager at Pelican Wire, says “We’re proud to have worked through the process of qualifying for such a recognized standard as ISO 17025:2017. Not only does our scope include thermocouple calibration, but resistance measurements as well which helps us expand our presence as a market leading supplier in several markets such as heat-treating, aerospace, pyrometry, semiconductor, medical, and various mission critical heating applications.”

Pelican Wire is an employee-owned manufacturer of application-driven wire solutions in the areas of thermocouple, resistance, and custom wire. With specialties in the fine-gauge and high-temperature wire fields, Pelican Wire works globally across multiple industries, offering custom solutions in Aerospace, Medical, Industrial, Automotive, Defense and many other fields.

Southwire’s facility in Huntersville, N.C., has again been recognized for its efforts in achieving compliance with air quality permits by receiving the annual Air Compliance Excellence (ACE) Award. This is the fifth consecutive year the Huntersville Plant has received the award and the seventh time overall. 

The Mecklenburg County Air Quality ACE Awards began in 2014 to promote local industries’ efforts that comply with air quality permits within the county. 

To be eligible for the award, facilities are required to meet all terms of their air quality permit for an entire year. This includes submitting reports, notifications, fee payments, emission testing and annual inspection with no violations of nuisance, dust or odor complaints of the site. 

According to Patrick Vaughan, storekeeper attendant at Southwire’s Huntersville Plant, the ACE Award showcases the facility’s efforts to improve the local air quality, aligning with Southwire’s commitment to sustainability and supporting the wellbeing of our communities and the environment.

“We are thrilled to receive the ACE award again this year, and it’s really a testament to the work of our team members and our environmental, health and safety manager, Jamie McGrath,” said Vaughan. “Together, we strive to do what’s best for our environment, and this award shows our commitment to making a difference in the Huntersville community.” 

After having earlier moved to Richmond, Indiana, a Michigan casket manufacturing company started by Bruce and Suzanne Elder changed its name in 1972 to honor Bruce’s parents Vance and Doris Elder.
Vandor has grown to more than 200 team members, working together to create products that serve funeral professionals as well as automotive, communications, construction, and consumer product industries. The company has garnered nearly 60 patents so far, with many more forthcoming. Its brands include Reel Options, Elderlite and Starmark Funeral Products. The team members’ dedication and affirmative attitude underpinning Vandor’s culture from the beginning remains steadfast to this day.

A Golden Celebration
In celebration of its 50th year, Vandor hosted a companywide congratulatory event on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Starr Gennett building in Richmond Indiana. With over 300 past and present team members and their families attending, local favorites Smiley’s Pub Catering, Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream, and AVI Food Systems served lunch and dessert to the celebration guests. The Northeastern High School Cheer Team supported with activities for the children including inflatables and face painting. Melissa Vance of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce honored Vandor for its years committed to growth in the Richmond area. A strong sense of friendship and gratitude for one another and a recognition of past accomplishments was shared among team members. Vandor’s team is prepared and looking ahead to its next fifty years!

Corning Incorporated announced that it is expanding its manufacturing capacity by building a new cable manufacturing facility in Gilbert, Arizona.
A press release said that the expansion will help Corning meet the needs of a long-term customer, the largest U.S. fiber internet provider, as it expands its fiber service. Corning will locate the new plant in greater Phoenix region, adding approximately 250 jobs and extending Corning’s strategic investments in optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions to meet record demand.
The new facility is Corning’s latest in a series of investments in fiber and cable manufacturing totaling more than $500 million since 2020, the release said. These investments, supported by customer commitments, nearly double Corning’s ability to serve the U.S. cable market and connect more people and communities. As public and private investments in broadband, 5G, and the cloud are accelerating a large, multi-year wave of growth for fiber-based networks, Corning “is uniquely positioned to support these network builds.”
The Arizona facility, expected to open in 2024, will be the industry’s western-most U.S. manufacturing site for optical cable. It will enable Corning to serve growing demand in the western U.S. and Canada. Separately, AT&T announced that it is deploying fiber internet service to the Mesa, Arizona, area, with service expected to be available to Mesa residents in 2023.
To build and deploy these networks, the industry will need another 850,000 workers through 2025. Corning and AT&T created the Fiber Optic Training Program, focused on equipping thousands of technicians with the skills critical to designing, installing, and maintaining a growing fiber network. The initial class is currently underway in North Carolina, and the program aims to train 50,000 American workers over the next five years.