The Wire Association International (WAI) has completed production of its first in-house, video-based training course: Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy.

This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in WAI’s new online learning initiative and reflects its ongoing commitment to providing world-class educational resources to the wire and cable industry.

“This is the kind of project that the founders of WAI would truly appreciate,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “It embodies the goals of the people who originally formed the association to advance industry know-how by using a modern approach, one that is relevant to the electronic age we all live and work in. It will especially appeal to manufacturers that have new employees who are comfortable with this type of learning format.”

Each course has seven short videos, none lasting more than five minutes. Each module includes knowledge checks after each video. Upon completing a course, students receive a certificate of completion.

WAI is collaborating with a motion designer who specializes in manufacturing “explanation” videos. Each one will feature a blend of shop floor footage and animated segments that clarify complex concepts. Narration is done by a professional voiceover artist to ensure that the material is engaging and easy to follow.

Each module was developed under the guidance of primary and secondary subject matter experts to ensure the content is both accurate and relevant. A key person in the creation of the ferrous video course is steel industry veteran Anand Bhagwat, a WAI Past President (2005) who now serves as a metallurgical consultant. He worked closely with WAI Project Manager John Markowski, who leads the production team. “It’s been an amazing experience, and I’m confident that this program is going to be well received.”

With the production of this foundational course now complete, WAI is moving into the soft launch phase of its new Learning Management System (LMS). In addition to Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy, the soft launch will include 12 general manufacturing safety courses, Markowski said. During this phase, WAI is working closely with key opinion leaders across the industry to gather valuable feedback. This collaboration will ensure the platform is fully optimized before its official release.

Companies interested in participating in the soft launch and gaining early access to these courses are welcome to contact WAI’s Education Department. Industry feedback is an important factor to help deliver comprehensive and effective training content. For inquiries about the soft launch or to find out how to participate, contact WAI’s Education Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 203-458-4044.

Looking ahead, the full public launch of WAI’s online platform is scheduled for early 2025. As part of this launch, WAI will offer discounted access during the introductory period, allowing WAI members and non-members alike to experience the breadth of training available.

In addition to the Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy, WAI has begun production on the first of four planned extrusion training courses. The next course on deck will offer an overview of single-layer extrusion, providing critical insights for both new and seasoned professionals in the field. The first extrusion course is slated to be ready for the hard launch at the beginning of 2025, with the others closely behind.

Of note, while WAI is committed to providing this new video-training course, it will continue to stage the Association’s in-person day-long Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course. It will next be held at Interwire 2025.

The WAI’s Midwest Chapter has canceled its Sept. 30 golf tournament and plans are already underway for the event to return to the normal spring time slot in 2025.

The Southeast Chapter will be back at the Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, North Carolina, on Thursday, Oct. 10, for its tournament. Last year, 83 players took part in the chapter’s 22nd annual golf tournament. The winning TD Corp. team of Travis Card, William Godwin, Andrew Godwin and Paul Godwin finished at a very respectable 14 under par.

There’s still time to register at wirenet.org for either the tournament or dinner-only, and sponsorships.

There were two winners at the Ohio Valley Chapter’s Aug. 22 event: one was for the annual golf tournament at the Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio while the other was for a 12-round shoot off at a nearby gun range.

The winning golf team of Mark MacKimm, Rainbow Rubber & Plastics; Alex Lippincott, WCTI; Tim Gascoigne, G2 Materials; and Mike Dies, WCTI, shot 61, 10 under par, to grab top honors among the field of 44. The day was perfect for golf, and each player was given a ball from Steve Lebischak, president of Polara Golf, who spoke later about how and why his company’s Polara golf ball can self-correct and fly straight. That led to the chapter’s first most-accurate-drive contest for the first shot at the final hole, a par 5. Dave Rascati, Premier Wire Die, saw his ball jump off the club, correct its path and end up right on the rope just short of the 150 yard marker in the middle of the fairway. Rumor has it that he ordered five dozens balls.

Meanwhile, a small contingent, eight, spent two hours at the Training Range in nearby Austintown. It ended with an impromptu shoot off won by Brennan Mai from Hobart, using a gun borrowed from colleague Nick Heitkamps, who came in second (106-105).

“The gun range was a great networking event,” said Rick Bray, WAFIOS. “It was a great atmosphere. By the end of the morning we all had talked and joked together. I’m looking forward to shooting with the guys again next year. Without this event I may have never been met these gentlemen in the industry.”

Following both events, the educational program was held. Other presenters included Dave Brambert, president of Fifth Wave Manufacturing (AI in Manufacturing); Tim Moury, president/CEO of Vericheck Technical Services, and Technical Director Marco Degasperi (metal analyzing equipment and ISO17025 accredited training and services).

“I thought it was another great day with networking on the course and at the educational seminar,” said Stephen Wright, Blachford. “The speakers brought a wide range of knowledge that seemed to keep the audience engaged. For many people, this has become an annual event they look forward to every year.”

The WAI’s New England Chapter annual education event and networking dinner is set for Nov. 7 at the ACCEL International plant in Cheshire, Connecticut.

ACCEL will host a tour of the company’s wire-drawing plant from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. ACCEL has three vertically integrated factories in Connecticut and Indiana that make silver-plated, nickel-plated and tin-plated copper wire and copper alloys.

Following the tour, there will be a networking dinner at Viron Rondo Osrerio, which is also located in Cheshire. Tickets are $115 for chapter members and $130 for non members. Registration (vetted) can be made at www.wirenet.org.