WAI’s four chapters that offer scholarship programs have reported the winners for 2024. Below are the names of the recipients from the Midwest Chapter and the Ohio Valley Chapter. Of note, scholarship fund raising efforts have found strong support over the years, and not just from members that have a potential recipient.

Lake Cable’s Cooper Runzel said that he is a believer in the Midwest Chapter’s college scholarship program, and he would like to see it evolve more so there is even more support. That could involve sponsorships from outside chapter membership and may focus even more on candidates that intend to pursue careers in industry.

The Ohio Valley, which became the fourth WAI chapter to have a scholarship program, gave out its first-ever award. “The OVC was honored to join the other chapters and award a scholarship to a very deserving individual, Katherine Maxwell,” said Stephen Wright of Blachford Corp. “We look forward to more individuals joining the OVC in order to take part in this scholarship opportunity.”


Midwest Chapter Winners - $1,500:

Jaida Bender is the daughter of Robert Bender, operations manager, Worth Steel & Machinery, Inc. She is attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she majors in nursing.

Jack Dickerson is the son of Peter Dickerson, president, MidWest Wire Works. He is attending Bradley University, where he majors in game design.

Logan Wilson is the son of Margaret Wilson, account executive, ShapedWire-Liberty Steel. He is attending Northern Illinois University, where he majors in mechatronics. 

Ohio Valley Chapter Winner - $1,500:

Katherine Maxwell is the daughter of Tom Maxwell Jr., president, Die Quip Corporation. She is attending the University of Kentucky, where she majors in architecture.

WAI’s New England Chapter held their annual educational event on Nov. 7 at Accel International’s plant Nov. 7 in Cheshire, Connecticut, followed by a networking dinner. Including WAI staff, a total of 46 people from 30 companies took part.

The host company excelled even before attendees set off for a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s cutting-edge wire drawing technology. There was a half-hour reception in the lobby of Accel, which provided gourmet snacks and a coffee cart from Green Kettle Coffee Company, both of which were much appreciated.

Participants were then greeted by Accel International Holdings CEO and Founder Tony Oh, who talked about the company’s history and presented an over-view. Following that presentation, attendees split into small groups to walk through the facility, where staff explained their activities during the 45-minute tour. The company operates three vertically integrated factories in Indiana with nearly 500,000-sq ft of manufacturing space producing silver-plated, nickel-plated and tin-plated copper and copper alloys for the wire and cable market. It also has a fourth plant, in Florida. The company serves fields that include aero-space, medical, telecom and industrial markets.

The New England Chapter presented a $1,000 donation to Accel to go to a charity of its choice. It also wanted to thank Sjogren Industries, which was a sponsor for the event.

Following the tour, the chapter transitioned to nearby Viron Rondo Osteria, where they enjoyed a networking dinner. Participants got to connect with industry peers while enjoying Italian cuisine, proving once again that blending education with networking in a vibrant setting makes for a very good combination. The event ran well and garnered multiple accolades.

“You did an excellent job,” declared John Rivers. “I have known Tony Oh for many years and have never seen him that open about sales and profit margins. The restaurant choice was also excellent. Please extend a job well done to your team.”

“I would like to personally thank Lori Parent for her efforts in coordinating this event with the Accel team, WAI staff and Viron Rondo,” said Chapter President Ryan Cabray, Alphagary. “It was a wonderful evening, and the event exceeded all expectations.”

“Thank you to (WAI’s) Corey Flynn for supporting the orchestration of this event, working with Lori on key details, Accel and the restaurant,” said Tom Rosen, Wire & Cable Consulting, LLC.

Want to know what exactly the Association has been working on for more than a year? The WAI’s Education Committee will host a virtual “Open House” that has a theme: Explore the Future of Industry Training.

The zoom webinar will be held at 11 am EST on Jan 29, 2025. The industry is invited to join this exclusive webinar that will showcase the Wire Association International’s new learning platform. This session will provide a firsthand look at the video-based training courses that are designed to enhance professional development in the wire and cable industry. The platform makes learning accessible, engaging and impactful with features like expert-crafted content, 3D animations, and flexible on-demand access.

“Whether you’re an industry veteran or newcomer, this demo will show how our tools can elevate your skills and knowledge,” said John Markowski, WAI’s education project manager. The courses provide basic training that would benefit any company with new employees. Registration is free by visiting the Association at www.wirenet.org. A private demo session can be arranged by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and a 15% discount will be offered.  

If you are interested in better understanding the technology that is the heart of wire and cable production, you should be joining your peers at either Interwire or the Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) next year. Much of the attraction will be the traditional WAI programs, but the Atlanta event will see the launching of a new element for the lineup.

“The education program at Interwire has always been a cornerstone of the event,” said John Markowski, WAI’s Education Project Manager. “This year, we’re building on that legacy by introducing a new, hands-on workshop and a more modern conference experience.”

WAI’s Advanced Extrusion Workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at Southwire’s new training facility. Limited to 50 participants, this hands-on program will deepen attendees’ understanding of extrusion processes, with guidance from experts Rick Chamberlain (retired, Prysmian) and a representative from Southwire. Participants will also engage with extrusion exhibitors back on the show floor.

Interwire 2025 attendees will also notice some changes. “We’re adding a ‘Voice of God’ announcer for key transitions, walk-up music for speakers, and virtual presenter prep sessions before the event,” Markowski said. “These changes aim to streamline the event and create a more engaging atmosphere.”

The Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF), a full-scale conference featuring over 30 sessions, two panels and a facility tour, will run alongside Interwire. This event offers numerous networking opportunities, including an opening reception, awards dinner, and lunches.

At this point, the full schedule for these programs will be released online soon. For the latest updates, visit interwire25.com. Questions about educational programs can be directed to WAI at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

It all starts before the official start of Interwire 2025 with the well-established Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. The full-day program continues to provide a comprehensive introduction to the wire industry, and even there, while the core content remains consistent, small improvements are being made to keep it fresh and relevant, Markowski said.

As the wire and cable industry evolves, so does WAI’s commitment to education. The Association’s online training platform, set to launch in January 2025, will offer a mix of Association produced courses and third-party content to meet diverse training needs.

“We’re incredibly excited about the breadth of content we’ll have available,” said John Markowski, WAI’s education project manager.” At the platform debut, WAI will offer three in-house-produced courses: Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy, Single Layer Extrusion Overview and Extrusion Applications. These will be complemented by 12 general manufacturing safety courses from a third-party content provider, creating a robust library of resources.

The platform’s development is progressing rapidly. The goal is to complete an online version of the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course in 2025, Markowski said. “This course has long been a foundation of our training efforts and moving it online will allow us to reach even more people.”

 Steve Fetteroll, WAI’s Executive Director, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “We want to ensure that professionals across the industry have access to the best training resources available. This platform is a direct response to the growing demand for flexible, high-quality educational content.”

To support the platform’s launch, WAI’s marketing team is developing an array of promotional materials, including a second video to showcase its features. Also, the Association will host an “open house” webinar on Jan. 29 (see opposite page).

Visit wirenet.org for more details as they will be updated there as the date approaches. Questions about the platform can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rainbow Rubber announced that Jonathan Rufe will be North American Sales Manager, effective Jan. 1, 2025. He joined the company in 2014, covering sales in New England and Canada, and thrived in those territories. Throughout his tenure at Rainbow, he has held many other responsibilities, such as marketing, trade show production and new product development. Most recently, he hired and managed agents in Canada and Mexico to expand those markets while maintaining his own territory and being a product specialist. He holds a B.A. degree in political science and government from Lafayette College, and recently completed an MBA program at Lehigh University.

Andree Cziczkat has joined Proton Products as global metals market manager. He most recently was account manager metal EMEA for Nordson Company, where he started out in 2008 as a regional sales manager EMEA. Prior to that he worked for four years for Iris GmbH and three years for Elco Pro GmbH. He holds an HF degree, electro-optic, medical technics, from Ruhr University Bochum. Based in the U.K., Proton Products Group is a leading manufacturer of instrumentation and control equipment for use in industrial production.

Amy Theobald Poras has been promoted to sales manager - east region at GEON Performance Solutions. She joined the company in 2021 as a wire and cable sales team leader. She previously worked as an application development manager for Coventus Polymers, as market development manager for wire and cable for Nexeo Plastics, sales manager southeast market for The Chemical Company and customer success director for Vendavo. Based in Westlake, Ohio, GEON Performance Solutions supplies PVC compounds, polyolefin products and engineered polymers.

Matteo Nascetti has been named General Manager Italy for SAMP. He has two decades of experience in the field of automated machinery and precision mechanics and is known for his strong focus on enhancing production processes and successfully integrating new technologies to improve corporate efficiency. He has worked extensively in developing economies, optimizing processes and driving local growth. Based in Bologna, Italy, the SAMP Group is a global supplier of wire and cable machinery.

ICE Cable Systems recently announced the filling of two positions. Jay Heffernan was named vice president of sales, East Coast. He has more than 30 years of security business expertise. He began his career as a manufacturer’s representative, managing key territories in New England and upstate New York, where his efforts contributed to company growth ahead of its acquisition. Amberly Rhyne was named the new East Coast regional sales representative. She has commercial ProAV sales experience in the CEDIA market that includes her working as a regional sales manager for Herman ProAV. Based in Austin, Texas, ICE Cable Systems makes low-voltage wire and cable products for residential and commercial channels.

Chris Adams has joined RF Industries, Inc., as a national key account manager - integrators. He has 30 years of experience in technical sales and marketing. He most recently was MNO sales director- East Coast for Communication Technology Services. Past employers included Huber + Suher, where he was a business unit manager for wireless products; Radio Frequency Systems, where he was global/NA product manager; Amphenol TimesFiber, where he was director of business development; and RFS, where he was Northeast district sales manager. Based in San Diego, California, RF Industries manufactures a broad range of interconnect products that include cables and wire harnesses.

Obituary

Carl P. Sjogren, the owner and president of Sjogren Industries, died from cancer on Nov. 2, 2024, at age 65.

Carl Sjogren joined the family company after graduating from Worcester Academy. His industry story, however, started back in 1888, when an eight-year-old Swedish immigrant, Oscar Sjogren, came to the U.S., ultimately settling in Worcester, Massachusetts, working as a machinist in the local wire mills. In 1927, after working at American Steel and Wire, U.S. Steel and Wickwire Spencer Steel, he started Sjogren and Sons in his two-car garage. The company thrived by supporting the domestic wire industries until his passing in 1957.

After inheriting the business from their father, Oscar’s sons, Richard and Walter, continued to grow and expand the company. The name changed to Sjogren Tool and Machine, and it continued its growth through the 60s and 70s with Richard’s sons—Richard and Robert—manning the helm. At this time, Sjogren carried a workforce of 150 employees in five separate divisions.

The recession of the early 80s forced Sjogren into bankruptcy court and it was taken over by MFA. In 1986, Carl Sjogren, then 27, bought the wire tooling division back. The initial purchase consisted of blueprints, customer lists, inventory and special tooling. He led the company through a tremendous period of growth, expanding sales into Europe, and later launched a new plant, Sjogren Manufacturing, Inc., in Worcester.

Today, the company’s machinery, tooling and accessories are sold worldwide with distributors located in Europe, South America, Asia, and Mexico. During the past 10 years, Carl Sjogren worked with his team to develop 12 new products to launch into the market over time to aid in efficiency and ease of use by workers on wire-drawing lines. He continued to work as he could, still contributing within a week of his passing.

Carl was predeceased by his father, Richard C. Sjogren. Survivors include his mother, Cora; his wife, Cheryl; his son, Dylan; his brother, Buddy; his sister, Wendy; and nieces and nephews. 

The WireTech Istanbul Fair and the Tube & Steel Istanbul Fair, which were first held in 2019, and saw the participation of Messe Duesseldorf in 2023, will return in 2025 with new names: Eurasia Fair and Tube Eurasia Fair.

“After deciding to work together to combine the experience and expertise in trade fair organization of the Tüyap Fair Organization Group with Messe Düsseldorf’s strength in the European market, we had a very successful premiere at wire and Tube Eurasia,” said Messe Düsseldorf GmbH Executive Director Bernd Jablonowski. “Our aim is to take this success one step further in 2025. We really believe in Türkiye, particularly in its potential in the construction and energy industries.”

GEON Performance Solutions, a global supplier of performance polymer solutions, announced that it has started up a new thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) manufacturing line at its Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico facility.

A press release said that the new line will produce a range of polymer compounds, including TPE and thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), supporting GEON’s strategic expansion of its polymer capabilities and enhancing its longstanding leadership in the commercialization of polyolefins. This expansion builds on the technology and expertise obtained from GEON’s acquisition of PolymaxTPE in December 2023, and is a response to significant customer demand for these premium materials.

The addition of TPE to GEON’s portfolio of performance polymers drove investment in the company’s Dyersburg, Tennessee, facility where TPE and TPO manufacturing capabilities were commissioned to support growing customer demand. With TPE manufacturing facilities in Mexico, U.S. and Nantong, Jiangsu, China, GEON is well-positioned to serve customers globally with a simplified supply chain across a diverse range of industries.

The Ramos Arizpe facility began operations in 2003. GEON Performance Solutions has 12 production plants.

Nexans announced that the company has separated the business of its specialty industrial cable operations, formerly known as Nexans Industry Solutions & Projects, and renamed it Lynxeo.

A press release said that the separation will provide increased clarity in the market, strengthening Lynxeo’s role as a fully integrated player, serving a diversified range of critical infrastructure industries including railways, rolling stock, automation, shipbuilding, wind, aerospace and healthcare. “Today’s announcement is yet another step in the continued successful execution by Nexans of its ‘Electrify the Future’ strategy,” it said.

With 2,000 employees in nine countries and annual standard sales of more than €700 million euros, Lynxeo is “a powerhouse in specialty industrial cables.” The move will allow Lynxeo to further enhance its role in critical industrial segments. It has a heritage of more than 100 years serving industrial champions, and boasts a global manufacturing presence in Europe Asia, and the USA.

Oman Cables Industry SAOG, a cable manufacturer based at Al Rusayl Industrial City in Muscat, reports that it will make a substantial investment in its subsidiary, Oman Aluminum Processing Industries SPC (OAPIL), to establish a production facility in Suhar, the capital of Oman.

A press release said that the expansion is aimed at manufacturing advanced composite core conductors. Board Chairman Cinzia Farise said that the project would expand OAPIL’s operational scope as well as increase profitability and diversification for Oman Cables.

Founded in 2008, OAPIL has played a key role in Oman’s aluminum and electrical transmission sectors. The new facility will strengthen the company’s presence in international markets, especially in energy infrastructure sector. Part of Prysmian, Oman Cables Industry (SAOG) has offices in Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and KSA, and an extensive network across the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Russia and India (MEART) region.