Italy’s EK Group, through its subsidiary MB Technology, announced that it has acquired ATB Srl, also based in Italy, as part of its expansion plans.

A press release said that ATB, located in Pieve Vergonte, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, is involved in manufacturing and assembling electrical and electronic wiring, as well as creating control panels for industrial automation. It specializes in manufacturing spiral cables and molding high- and low-pressure connections.

Roberto Gallingani, president & CEO of Elettrotek Kabel SpA), believes that the acquisition of ATB will allow EK Group to expand the activities of the wiring harness division. He noted that this has become an increasingly important part of the EK Group, which has some 320 employees divided into three divisions (production of electrical cables, distribution of electrical cables and wiring).

Intertranscom Impex, a Romanian producer of welded mesh based in Buhuși, was the top bidder at €7.5 million at a public auction for the assets of Dan Steel Group Beclean, which has been in bankruptcy since early 2023.

Per an article in romaina-insider.com, the Dan Steel Group Beclean (Dan Steel) was involved in the production of ferrous metals in primary forms and ferroalloys (nails, galvanized wire, braided wire, welded mesh, panels) sold on both the domestic market as well as in Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The business was founded in 1991 and expanded rapidly but faced liquidity problems in 2017. In 2018, measures imposed by the European Commission for imports of some steel industry forced Dan Steel to pay more for raw materials.

Per another online report, Intertranscom Impex plans to resume production soon and turn the company into one of the main employers in the region. Dan Steel had annual capacity of some 100,000 tons of steel products per year. The assets include some 40 hectares of land, buildings with a total usable area of 75,500 sq m and related equipment.

Prima, a telecom/data infrastructure firm, in collaboration with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), has signed a contract for the establishment of what would be the first “smart” deployment of a subsea cable system: the Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) Subsea Cables initiative that seeks to revolutionize deep ocean observing by equipping transoceanic telecommunications cables with sensors to provide novel and persistent insights into the state of the ocean.

A press release said that the SMART cable will connect Vanuatu and New Caledonia, extending to Australia and Fiji. It will provide not just digital connectivity, but also vital environmental/seismic monitoring in the Pacific region. Prima is responsible for maintenance and operations of the ICN1 subsea cable system, which connects Vanuatu to Suva, Fiji, and has been operational since 2014. It is 100% owned and operated by the people of Vanuatu, a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands.

Southwire was recently recognized for two separate activities, one for diversity and the other for its commitment to responsible business practices.

A press release said that Southwire was recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. The recognition was based on a survey conducted of more than 220,000 individuals. In 2023, Southwire’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy featured a focus on People Leaders, Inclusive Workforce, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Reputation and Community, Equity and Governance and Value and Supply Chain.

“At Southwire, we believe that the people are the power behind everything we do,” said Southwire Chief DEI Officer Cara Herzog. “We want to be the Employer of Choice for a workforce whose perspectives, backgrounds, talents and experiences are not only accepted but embraced.”

“We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity,” said Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinson. “We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce not only enhances our team members’ experiences but also drives collaboration and innovation. Southwire strives for every team member to feel valued, respected and empowered.”

Southwire also had three facilities certified by The Copper Mark, an entity that assesses responsible production, sourcing and recycling of metals. On Dec. 12, 2023, it announced the certification of three Southwire facilities: those in Denton, Texas; Bremen, and Lafayette, Indiana.

“Receiving The Copper Mark at our manufacturing plants in Denton, Bremen and Lafayette is an incredible accomplishment and speaks to Southwire’s commitment to sustainability now and in the future,” said Burt Fealing, executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer at Southwire. “It also speaks to the dedication our team members have to our five core tenets of Growing Green, Living Well, Giving Back, Doing Right and Building Worth, which these facilities demonstrated throughout the assurance process. “This recognition reflects Southwire’s dedication to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that welcomes and celebrates the unique skills and experiences of its team members.

Anand Bhagwat, a past WAI president (2005) and a long-time steel industry veteran, recently retired from Minova USA Inc., and has started a consulting service.

Per Bhagwat, he plans to serve small- and medium-sized companies on either retainer or project-based engagements for quality management, steel and wire technology, and new product development. He can be reached at tel. 740-229-0033, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bhagwat’s career in metallurgical engineering spanned more than 35 years, including 12 years at Minova USA Inc., a mining ground support manufacturer. His career started in 1990 at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., where he developed wire technology for tire reinforcement for 10 years. Subsequent positions include the Seneca Wire Group, where he was vice president of quality and technology for seven years, three years as managing director of Wire & Cable Services, a WAI subsidiary., and as plant manager at FENIX, LLC.

Anand received the WAI’s Donnellan Memorial Award in 2009 and Mordica Memorial Award in 2022. He was an ASM/IIM Visiting Lecturer in 2001, and in 2015 he won the Stefanko Best Paper Award from Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.

The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance, Inc. (WCMA) will honor the recipients of its 2024 Distinguished Career Award at its 38th annual Awards Dinner and Investiture Ceremony on April 6, 2024, in Hartford, Connecticut, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott Hotel.

Per WCMA, the recipients are Tom Artinian, principal, Artinian Group; Larry Bleich, Vice President, R&D, CommScope; Anthony Fedor, product manager, Cable, Times Microwave; David Fisher, president, James Monroe Wire & Cable; Ron Gibson, purchasing manager, Service Wire Co.; Brian Holden, national accounts manager, Carris Reels (retired); Mike Patel, director of marketing, Teknor Apex; and Tom White, president, New England Wire Technologies.

The Award recognizes industry leaders and professionals from the electrical and electronic wire, cable, and fiber optic cable industry segments initially established by the former Wire & Cable Clubs.

To register for the awards dinner, contact IWMA Executive Director Ed Fenton at tel. 860-841-7720, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to www.wcmainc.org.

Dave Troy has joined REELEX Packaging Solutions as vice president of sales & service, a newly created position that will see him focus on the company’s sales and service structure. He previously served for nine years as director of marketing and business development for Emerson Discrete Automation’s Branson Welding and Assembly division, and prior to that he worked for 10 years for Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation, as director of marketing. He holds a BBA degree in marketing/business from Western Connecticut State University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business. The new position allows Tim Copp, vice president of business development, to spend more time on marketing and product development. Based in Patterson, New York, REELEX Packaging Solutions, is the creator/licensor of REELEX® packaging and a manufacturer of take-ups, dancers, accumulators and payoffs.

American Wire Group (AWG) has named Scott Taylor as vice president of regional sales for its renewable energy division. He will be responsible for AWG customers for new construction, repower, operations and maintenance capacities in the wind, solar and battery energy storage industries. He has more than 20 years of experience in engineering, sales management and business development in wire and cable manufacturing and distribution sectors. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee State University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. Based in Miami, Florida, the American Wire Group supplies wire and cable, hardware, equipment, and accessory solutions.

Brad Johnson has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of both Superior Essex Communications and Essex Brownell. As COO, he will collaborate with the presidents of both business units to achieve their 2024 objectives as well as develop new growth strategies for each division. He joined the company in 1997 as vice president of sales, and became senior vice president of sales in 2003, then was named president of Superior Essex International LP in 2016. He will continue to serve in that position in the interim. He holds a degree in business administration from the Indiana State University Scott College of Business. Along with Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, Superior Essex Communications and Essex Brownell are part of Superior Essex, a global leader in cable and wire technology based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Derek Nicholson has been named a regional manager for OmniCable, responsible for leading the St Louis commercial team. He has more than 15 years of electrical experience, having previously worked for LEDvance and Grainger. He holds a business degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Baker University. Based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, OmniCable is a distributor of wire and cable, electrical products, and value-added services.

Rob Cook has been promoted to director of new business development for Xaloy LLC, responsible for new business development initiatives from acquiring new customers to expanding product sales. Melissa Greenway was named OEM account manager. She joined the company in 2021 as an inside sales specialist. She previously worked for three years as a government sales specialist for Robeck Fluid Power. Based in Paluski, Virginia, Xaloy manufactures screws, barrels, and front-end components to sectors that include wire and cable.

Veronica Braker has joined Southwire as its new executive vice president of operational excellence. She has three decades of experience in leading teams focused on operations, environmental, health and safety (EHS), reliability and maintenance, capital expenditure and more. She is a Lean Six Sigma certified Master Black Belt and practices Lean as a discipline in how she approaches strategy and operational planning. She most recently was senior vice president of global operations at Archer Daniels Midland Company, where she led a global operations team, as well as the centers of excellence that included EHS, Quality, Maintenance, Capital and Process Optimization. She previously held leadership roles at Clorox, General Electric, BASF Corporation, Flint Hills Resources, and Milliken & Company, among others. She currently serves as the Board Chair for the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. She previously served on the National Board of Directors for Women in Manufacturing, the advisory board for Women in Food and Agriculture and National Association of Manufacturer’s Board of Directors and Executive Council. She holds a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Christian Brothers University. Based in Carrolton, Georgia, Southwire is one of the world’s largest producers of wire and cable.

Dr. Peter Schmidt, managing partner at TROESTER for many years, has handed over the position of CEO to Thomas Holzer as part of the corporate strategy to maintain continuity in the management of the company and stimulate future development. Schmidt will continue to serve as managing partner and CFO. Holzer, who has been with the company since 2021, previously was managing director at Voith in Heidenheim and in the Asia region before joining TROESTER. Bernd Pielsticker will continue to manage the operational business as Chief Operating Officer. Based in Germany, TROESTER supplies complete cable production lines as well as individual cable machines, such as winders, accumulators, caterpillars, capstans in various sizes and designs. 

The WAI has rescheduled the date for the Points Meeting for Interwire 2025 to allow for greater participation. The date has been shifted from March 21 to April 4, which will provide more time for exhibitors to be able to take part.

Exhibitor representatives get to pick first in order of their accumulated points from past participation. The booths will be assigned by WAI staff. Later, other companies wanting to exhibit can seek a booth by either going directly to the event website, interwire25.com, or contacting WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme.

Avery Caraker, a process engineering technician at the Du Quoin, Illinois, plant of the Prysmian Group, is the 2024 Wire Link Traveling Scholarship winner. Caraker, who joined Prysmian as an intern in 2021, accepted his current job in 2022 and has completed his degree in electrical engineering. He also is a member of the Illinois Army National Guard. The two-week award program will see him attend wire Düsseldorf and provide a report for WJI’s June issue.

Members of the WAI’s New England Chapter, the Association’s first founded and largest chapter, were treated to a stirring speech about manufacturing in Connecticut, hear about its 2023 activities and more at its annual dinner on Jan. 25 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Following a reception where members got to meet up with their chapter colleagues, the event started with outgoing 2023 Chapter President Jessica Foss, Electric Cable Compounds, Inc., welcoming attendees. She thanked all the chapter members who have volunteered for different programs as well as the companies that have pitched in, providing essential support.

For the 2024 meeting, that included Platinum Sponsors James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp and Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp., Gold Sponsors Carris Reels and Multi Cable Corp.; Silver Sponsors Conneaut Industries Inc., Flourogistx and Electric Cable Compounds Inc.; and the Bronze Sponsor was W. Gillies Technology. A special callout went to Lloyd & Bouvier for its generous $2,000 sponsorship for the event.

The new chapter president, Ryan Carbray, Alphagary, introduced the keynote speaker, but speaking at different points in the program, he covered a lot of ground. “The WAI New England Chapter board will continue to organize and support opportunities to bring this regional industry together and strengthen our fraternity,” he said, noting that it could not be done without the continued leadership and support from the chapter members. The other officers for 2024 are Vice President Michael Roussel, ExxonMobil, Annaliese Sviokla, Gem Gravure Co., and Thomas Rosen, Wire & Cable Consulting, LLC.

Carbray highlighted the chapter’s achievements in 2023, which include the continuation of the scholarship program and another successful golf tournament. In 2023, the chapter awarded six scholarships of $2,500 each. One of the 2024 chapter scholarships will go to either an intern or employee in the industry who is pursuing continued education at a college or university. He reminded attendees that applications for the 2024 scholarship must be sent by March 31.

Scholarship winners for 2023 were Kyle Albrinck, son of Alice Albrinck, Teknor Apex; Amarra Cruz, daughter of Luis Cruz, Times Microwave Systems; Katherine Fritz, daughter of James Fritz, Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure Group; William Goyette, son of Richard Goyette, MassMEP; Roma Kale, daughter of Rina Patel, Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure Group; and John Stecker, grandson of David Stecker, a WAI Past President.

Carbray also introduced the members of the newly elected 2024 Board. New members include David Fisher, James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.; Thomas Rosen, Wire & Cable Consulting LLC; and Paula Butkevich, Hueson Corp. Re-elected/returning board members include Lori Parent, Cable Components Corp.; Jim Evans, Web Industries Inc.; and Jeff Lawrence, Custom Wire Products. Continuing board members include Jessica Foss, Annaliese Sviokala, Jon Mello, Cheryl Stewart, Joel Cacopardo, Mike Mathiasen, Michael Sarni and Michael Roussel.

Carbray also thanked the members who helped make the chapter’s fund-raising efforts a success. He also singled out fellow Board Member Jim Evans, who heads the Annual Golf Tournament Committee, for outstanding work. He then introduced the keynote speaker, Paul S. Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut, who had been mingling with the audience and remained there later, talking to attendees.

Lavoi talked about the biggest problem in the manufacturing industry being labor and finding people to work. He discussed alternative ways to strengthen the workforce such as collaborating with local schools to attract talent or offering flexible/shortened shifts to accommodate parents whose children take priority.

Up next for the New England Chapter is its annual golf tournament. Look here for more details on that, as well as a future educational program this year, or go to the chapter web page.