hips it is issuing for 2022, each of which will receive $2,500. Below are the winners.
Alyssa Hicks is the daughter of William Jason Hicks, technical support engineer, Gem Gravure Co., Inc. She is attending Jacksonville State University, where she is majoring in family and consumer sciences.
Owen LaRoss is the son of Michael LaRoss, corporate controller, Whitney Blake Co. He is attending Merrimack College, with an undeclared major.
Timothy McComiskey is the son of Thomas McComiskey, vice president of engineering, MGS Group. He is attending the University of Rhode Island, where he is majoring in pharmacy.
Andrew Person is the son of Kim Person, purchasing, Insulated Wire. He is attending SUNY College at Oneonta, where he is majoring in biology.
Ashley Potvin is the granddaughter of Kenneth Potvin, vice president of sales, Teknikor. She is attending Quinnipiac University, where she is majoring in public relations.
Aidan Tomaz is the grandson of John Tomaz, vice president, Wardwell Braiding Machine Co. He plans to attend Louisville University, where he is majoring in sports management.
Industry News
XLCC, a new entrant to the power cable market, has been given planning approval to build the first HVDC subsea cable factory in the U.K.
A press release said that XLCC got the June 29 okay from the North Ayrshire Council Planning Committee for its plans to construct the factory in Hunterston, Scotland. Construction was expected to start soon at the Brownfield site, where XLCC will manufacture XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) coated HVDC subsea cable for use in interconnector projects and export cables to bring power back to the shore from offshore wind farms.
“We look forward to delivering a factory of great local and international importance for HVDC subsea cable,” said XLCC Project Director Alan Mathers. “The U.K. will be positioned as a world leader in the green economy, with the site at Hunterston playing a key role in connecting cheap, green energy from renewables projects around the world.”
XLCC has appointed HIGHVOLT as the primary provider of test systems for the pre-qualification, type and routine testing of subsea cables. Cable testing and certification will take place in 2023 and 2024, with the first cable lengths being produced in 2025 for deployment to client projects. The company has also ordered a new cable-laying vessel to be delivered in the first half of 2025.
Once fully operational, the facility “will support 900 jobs in the area, with thousands more in the wider supply chain.” XLCC notes that it will need 60 HVDC jointers for the facility, and it is working in partnership with Ayrshire College to increase the number of PEO (Performing Engineering Operations) courses available to prospective students across Ayr, Kilmarnock and Kilwinning campuses.
XLCC has already reported its first order: four 3,800 km long cables to connect solar and wind renewable power generation in the Sahara to the U.K. for the Xlinks Morocco-U.K. power project.
The CEO of XLCC is Simon Morrish, the founder and CEO of Ground Control and Levitate Capital. He was described as an experienced investor in businesses and projects related to the electrification of energy and transport, who previously worked for McKinsey & Co., and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
NEC Corporation has been selected to build a recently announced trans-Pacific subsea cable, JUNO, that will connect California in the U.S. with two sites in Japan.
A press release said that the system—approximately 10,000 km long—will be built by Seren Juno Network Co. (Seren), a company established by NTT Ltd. Japan Corporation; Mitsui & Co., Ltd.; PC Landing Corp.; and JA Mitsui Leasing, Ltd. It will land in Japan in the Chiba Prefecture, located on Japan’s eastern Pacific coast to the east of Tokyo, part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the Mie Prefecture, within the Kansai region on Japan’s main island of Honshu.
Subsea cable has typically deployed a maximum of 16 fiber pairs, but using NEC’s newly developed energy efficient repeaters and its SDM (Space Division Multiplexing) technology, the system will be able to adapt as many as 20 fiber pairs for the first time in a trans-Pacific subsea fiber-optic cable. The cable is expected to provide a maximum capacity of 350 Tbps, the largest among any existing cable system between the U.S. and Japan.
“With the rapid growth of the global digital economy and an increasing demand for cloud solutions and lower latency, the undersea internet cable sector is quickly becoming more critical to global internet infrastructure,” said Takanobu Maeda, president and CEO of NTT Ltd. Japan Corporation. “This new subsea cable is the latest joint effort NTT has led in a long and proud history of providing reliable global internet infrastructure.”
The JUNO cable will support the strong demand for communications, including the spread of 5G across Asia and North America. By providing communication routes from two separate Japanese locations to the U.S., the system will be highly resilient to natural disasters in the coastal areas of Japan. The system is also designed to remotely alter the bandwidth of each route, enabling it to respond flexibly to customer business needs and changes.
NEC, a supplier of submarine cable systems for more than 50 years, notes that it has built more than 300,000 km of cable. It also makes and installs repeaters, does surveys and route designs, training and delivery testing. Its OCC Corporation subsidiary manufactures subsea optical cables able to be used at ocean depths beyond 8,000 meters.
Alcoa Corporation announced that it is supplying low-carbon EcoLum™ aluminum to Hellenic Cables S.A., one of the largest cable producers in Europe with key markets in renewable energy transmission and distribution.
A press release said that Hellenic Cables, the cables segment of Cenergy Holdings, operates five manufacturing plants across three countries and manufactures power, telecommunication, and submarine cables, and compounds. The EcoLum brand is part of Alcoa’s Sustana™ family of low-carbon products, the most comprehensive in the aluminum industry, and has a carbon footprint that is approximately 3.5 times better than the industry average.
“We are very proud to partner with Hellenic Cables and assist them in their stated mission to develop a sustainable energy future,” said Alcoa EVP and CCO Kelly Thomas. “We know that aluminum is a key material for a more sustainable future, and we are the company to deliver with responsible production from mine to metal, all backed by excellent quality and strong customer service.”
Produced at hydroelectric-powered aluminum smelters, EcoLum aluminum has no more than 4.0 metric tons of carbon emissions for every ton of metal produced, including both direct and indirect emissions (scope 1 and scope 2) across the entire production chain, including bauxite mining and alumina refining. Alexis Alexiou, CEO of Cenergy Holdings and Hellenic Cables, said that Hellenic Cables finds strong alignment with Alcoa’s strategic priority to advance sustainably. “We prioritize the urgency of deep and immediate mitigation actions, hence EcoLum minimizes our environmental impacts and enhances the value of our products.”
H.L. Blachford Ltd. announced that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Bellini Tecnologia Della Lubrificazione SpA, a lubricants and metal working fluids manufacturer based in Bergamo, Italy, to distribute their products in Canada and the USA.
A press release said that H.L. Blachford will now be able to offer their customers a wide variety of new products ranging from water-miscible coolants, neat cutting oils, forming and drawing lubricants to industrial lubricants, and more. “We are excited about this strategic alliance with Bellini,” said H.L. Blachford President Michael Cundari. “It expands our product offering, allows us to re-enter key metalworking markets, and brings a strong value proposition to our future customers.”
Cundari’s counterpart said that he has high hopes for the deal. “We enter this partnership with high expectations as Blachford is a technology based chemical manufacturer with whom we share a similar history and values such as reliability and dedication to technical customer satisfaction,” said Bellini SpA President Marco Bellini.
The Prysmian Group welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden on his July 21 visit to see the company’s new submarine power cables plant in Brayton Point, Massachusetts.
A press release said that the visit reflects Prysmian Group’s strategic vision and commitment to the sustainable energy transition. “We are very proud of welcoming President Biden; this visit highlights our role in supporting the energy transition in the U.S. market,” said Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects Business Prysmian Group, who along with Andrea Pirondini, CEO Prysmian Group North America, welcomed President Biden.
The Brayton Point factory will manufacture innovative submarine inter-array and export cables up to 275 kV AC or 525 kV DC, that are needed to connect offshore wind farms to mainland power grids.
The official opening of the first fiber optic cable plant in Nigeria in Ogun State by Coleman Technical Industries Limited (CTIL) was heralded as a major step forward as the country seeks to provide such technology internally.
Per an article in nigeriannewsdirect.com, the opening of the Coleman Wire and Cable fiber optic company, located on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, was deemed by CTIL Managing Director and CEO George Onafowokan as an important achievement. In his remarks, he said that he has a firm belief in local content, and that it was important for Nigeria to grow local capacity. The goal is to build capacity for the country, West Africa, Central Africa and about 50% of the continent, making the operation the biggest fiber optic cable factory in the continent by September 2023.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who also spoke at the inauguration of the Coleman Wire and Cable fiber optic company, said that the new cable capacity is much welcome. The state plans to lay 5,000 km of fiber optic cables across its region, the state would receive the needed boost with the commissioning of the first fiber optic cable factory in West Africa.
The new plant was described as the first one in the West Africa sub-region and the fifth in the African continent.
Citing the current Covid-19 situation, the organizers of wire China 2022 announced that the event—originally scheduled for Sept. 26-29 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center—will now be held at Nanjing International Expo Center on Nov. 8-11, 2022.
A press release said that Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute Co., consulting with various industry experts, concluded that Nanjing would be the ideal platform to hold wire China 2022. It will be joined by sister event, Tube China 2022. Nanjing, the capital city of Jiangsu Province, is a modern industrial clustered city about three hours driving distance from Shanghai.
The concurrent events, China Wire & Cable Industry Conference, China Wire & Cable Material Conference and China Winding Wire Conference will also take place at the same time.
“The organizers of wire China shall spare no effort on the preparation work and will launch concerted campaigns to present a high-quality event. wire China 2022 in Nanjing will continue to provide an influential platform to the wire and cable industry,” the release said.
The visitor registration system will be valid till early November (www.wirechina.net). Visitors who have already registered for wire China 2022 can keep the previous registration codes and claim their badges onsite. Meanwhile, the organizers will keep close communication with exhibitors regarding the subsequent preparations.
“We have received strong support from relevant sectors of the community since the postponement was announced,” the release said. “The organizers appreciate all your long-term trust, support and understanding! Looking forward to meeting you in Nanjing in November!
7/3/2022 -
Nexans has been selected as the preferred bidder for the award of the supply and installation of the HVDC 500 kV HVDC Mass Impregnated (MI) Cables for the 1,000 MW Cyprus – Greece (Crete) Link for EuroAsia Limited.
A press release said that the EuroAsia Interconnector is a leading project of common interest (PCI) of the European Union. It consists of the electrical interconnection of the power systems of Cyprus-Greece (Crete) and Cyprus-Israel with DC subsea cables and with HVDC converter stations at each connection point. The link will have a total capacity at present stage of 1,000 MW with capability to increase to 2,000 MW. The EuroAsia Interconnector will be the energy bridge between Asia and Europe, with a total length of 1,208 km, creating a reliable corridor for bidirectional transmission of electricity between Asia and Europe.
When completed, the EuroAsia Interconnector between Greece and Cyprus will be the longest and the deepest HVDC subsea cable project ever, with bi-pole cables of 2 x 900 km and a water depth of 3,000 m. Nexans notes that its 500 kV HVDC Mass Impregnated (MI) is the only field proven technology for deep-water subsea power cables. It will used Nexans’s long-term developments for 3,000 m of ultra-deep waters, with the installation provided by the company’s flagship vessel, the CLV Nexans Aurora. The two power poles of the bi-pole are expected to be commissioned respectively in 2026 and 2028.
EuroAsia Limited is the project developer of the European electricity interconnection project that will link the national grids of Israel, Cyprus and Greece (Crete).
Southwire announced the installation of new medium-voltage production technology at its manufacturing facility in Heflin, Alabama.
A press release said that the Heflin Plant was established in 1996 to increase the company’s medium-voltage capacity, as well as high-voltage production. It remained Southwire’s only facility devoted to high-voltage production until the company purchased the Huntersville facility from ABB in 2015. Now, the company is upgrading the plant to focus on increasing productivity and velocity, eliminating waste and becoming leaner. Those measures “will set the Heflin Plant on course to becoming a world-class medium voltage facility.”
The project includes increasing medium-voltage production at the facility through the expansion of the Continuous Vulcanization (CV) tower. The expansion allowed for the implementation of four CV lines, a jacket line and a test set. These upgrades allow greater flexibility to extrude both cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) insulation for medium-voltage products at the Heflin Plant.
“In 2018, funding was approved to modernize and streamline this site for medium voltage production,” said Scott Roulaine, director of modernization. “This optimization will improve material flow, reduce raw material handling and modernize aging assets.” Roulaine worked alongside David McLendon, plant manager, and Emory Barber, vice president of engineering, to complete the Heflin modernization effort. These investments and upgrades will effectively streamline Southwire’s medium voltage production efforts.
“In Heflin, as in any Southwire facility, our people are our greatest resource,” said McLendon. “They absolutely are the best in the business, and they have been doing a great job since we opened the doors here. This modernization effort will bring the technology up to their level, so they will have the right tools to utilize and to take us to a world-class medium voltage facility.”
An informal ceremony was held for each shift to explain the project’s significance. Employees signed their name on the last structural beam in the tower addition installation as a testament to their work in making the expansion possible and a commitment to ensuring the success of the project.
Indiana-based Breyden Products, Inc., has been acquired by private investment firm Auxo Investment Partners, the second acquisition of a wire and cable industry supplier it has made this year.
A press release said that Breyden Products—which manufactures military-specification braided lacing tapes, twines, cords and sleeving used to secure and protect electrical components in the electric motor, defense and aerospace markets—will operate under the Precision Products Group (PPG) platform and brand. PPG is the parent company of Paramount Tube, a manufacturer of industrial tubing based in Fort Wayne that Auxo acquired in 2020.
“The Breyden team is beyond excited about the partnership with Auxo, PPG and their portfolio of world class manufacturers,” said Breyden Products Vice President of Sales Mike Zuber. “Our deep and long-standing relationships with leading channel partners will support the continued growth and diversification of PPG in the aerospace, defense and electrical markets.”
The release said that the deal advances plans to develop a diversified platform of niche manufacturers. The combination of Breyden and PPG’s Paramount Tube division is expected to expand market share in the electric motor market.
Earlier this year, Auxo acquired California-based Golden State Assembly, a wire harness and cable assembly manufacturer based in Fremont, California. GSA founders Cesar and Yesenia Madrueno will retain a significant interest in the company and will remain in their operating roles.
India’s KEC International (KEC) recently inaugurated a railway conductor manufacturing unit at its existing plant in Vadodara, Gujarat.
A press release said that the expanded product focus for the Vadodara plant is in line with the company’s backward integration strategy. The inauguration ceremony was hosted by company CEO and Managing Director Vimal Kejriwal. Joined by Singh Sethi, executive director – cables, they interacted with employees. The plant has about 550 employees. They shared their appreciation for their overall efforts that enabled the business to achieve superior performance. They also observed that the business continues to be on a sound growth path. The company has seen new orders for 2022-23 worth approximately $285 million.
KEC manufactures a range of railway cables and conductors for Indian railways and companies in the railway infrastructure sector. Per Wikipedia, KEC is also India’s second largest manufacturer of electric power transmission towers and one of the largest Power transmission, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies in the world. Based in Mumbai, it is part of the RPG Group.
or an expansion. The company’s clients include manufacturers of equipment in the marine, automotive, agriculture, construction, transportation and emergency response industries.
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