KnitMesh Technologies, a U.K. manufacturer of knitted wire mesh solutions, reports that it has made a major investment at its manufacturing facility near New Delhi, India that it opened in 2023.

Per the company, the site has recently commissioned new knitting machines and associated equipment, capable of producing knitted wire mesh up to 1000 mm wide. The investment, which should enable the company to double its capacity, is part of its broader, ongoing strategy.

The new equipment will allow KnitMesh Technologies to better serve prestigious customers in fast-growing industries such as electrolyzer manufacture for use in green hydrogen production, where high-performance knitted mesh components are essential. Also, the wider mesh width is ideal for applications in zoos and aviaries, where large-format stainless steel screens are often required for animal and bird enclosures.

The company said that it had 16 employees when it first opened and that it expects to have 24 once the additional positions are completed. The company did not expand the facility but it did acquire new building space near New Delhi last year in anticipation of future growth.

By establishing a local presence, KnitMesh Technologies is better positioned to offer on-the-ground support, faster response times, and enhanced technical expertise. This expansion allows the company to collaborate more closely with Indian manufacturers, offering them access to KnitMesh Technologies’ cutting-edge solutions and empowering them to overcome their unique challenges.

“This investment reinforces our commitment to innovation and customer service,” said KnitMesh Technologies Managing Director Peter Evans. “By enhancing our knitted wire mesh production capabilities in India, we can meet growing global demand more efficiently while developing new, industry-specific solutions.”

“The New Delhi facility plays a key role in KnitMesh Technologies’ global operations, supporting both regional and international customers,” said Saurabh Thapar, managing director of the KnitMesh operation in India. “These strategic upgrades are designed to future-proof operations and align with increasing demand for high-quality, custom-engineered knitted wire mesh across a variety of sectors.”

LS Cable & System (LS C&S) and LS ELECTRIC announced that on July 10, they signed an MOU with Korea Electric Power Corporation Corporation (KEPCO) to jointly develop and complete the world’s first superconducting power grid at a hyperscale data center in Gapyeong, South Korea, by 2028.

A press release said that LS C&S will design and manufacture superconducting cables, while sister-company LS Electric will supply superconducting fault current limiters and other power equipment. KEPCO will oversee technical and regulatory aspects and coordination.

LS C&S already demonstrated commercial viability of superconducting cable technology in 2019 when it began operating a 1-km superconducting cable section between Singal-Heungdeok Energy Center substations in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Compared to existing copper lines, the installation reduced transmission losses by a factor of 20.

 “This collaboration between three leading power industry companies on the world’s first superconducting power grid for data centers is a significant milestone,” said LS Electric Chairman Koo Ja-kyun. He noted that LS Cable & System’s superconducting cables and LS Electric’s advanced fault current limiters will offer optimal solutions for the eco-friendly power grid market.

The superconducting fault current limiters are key components that enhance operational stability by immediately interrupting fault currents, thereby preventing equipment damage and minimizing data loss risks. This technology is particularly crucial for AI data centers where uninterrupted power supply is essential for continuous operations.

The three companies plan to expand cooperation in developing and demonstrating superconducting grid technologies while pursuing initiatives to foster the industry ecosystem and jointly enter overseas markets. The Gapyeong project is expected to serve as a blueprint for future superconducting power infrastructure deployments globally, particularly in markets with high concentrations of energy-intensive data centers supporting AI and cloud computing operations.

Taihan Cable & Solution Co. announced August 13 that its wholly owned Vietnamese subsidiary, Taihan Vina, will invest approximately $54 million to establish Vietnam’s first 400kV-class extra-high voltage (EHV) cable production facility.

A press release said that this will be the company’s first overseas EHV cable plant, aimed at capturing the rapidly growing power infrastructure market driven by Vietnam’s industrial expansion. The new plant will be in the Long Thanh Industrial Park, Dong Nai Province, by Taihan Vina’s existing facility, on a site of some 56,200 sq m. Construction is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2026, with operations expected to begin in 2027.

The release said that the strategic expansion targets Vietnam’s surging power demand, projected to grow at an annual rate of 10-12% through 2030, fueled by large-scale transmission projects involving 220 kV or higher capacity EHV cables. The new plant will allow Taihan Vina to serve not only Vietnam but also export to key markets such as Europe, North America, and Oceania, thus supporting the company’s broader international expansion plans.

Taihan Cable operates two cable plants and one cable accessory plant in South Korea. Overseas, it runs cable plants in South Africa, Kuwait and Vietnam, along with a cable accessory plant in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Taihan Vina employs around 300 people. Its product lineup includes high-voltage, medium-low voltage power cable, and overhead wires. Last year, the subsidiary achieved sales of approximately $132 million, representing a 20% year-over-year increase.

“Vietnam’s excellent industrial environment, infrastructure, and geographical advantages will serve as a solid foundation for Taihan Vina to establish itself as a major global supplier in the EHV cable sector,” said a company spokesperson. “We aim to expand our presence beyond Asia to the global market.”

Prysmian reports that it has been awarded a framework agreement with Italy’s Terna—which is responsible for the management, maintenance and development of the country’s high-voltage electricity grid—to support the strengthening of the Italian power grid.

A press release said that the framework agreement is for three years and includes an additional year which may be optioned by Terna—that has a potential total value of €382.5 million. Terna is one of the largest independent grid operators in Europe. As part of the agreement, Prysmian will supply Terna with HVAC cables, as well as maintenance of high voltage cables.

Terna is expected to acquire at least 50 km of high-voltage cable each year, a number that could rise considerably in line with their requirements. Based in Rome, Terna manages about 98% of Italy’s high-voltage and extra-high-voltage electricity transmission grid, operating over 75,000 km of power lines.

The award is aligned with Terna’s strategy for the development and modernization of the national transmission grid, aimed at supporting the objectives outlined in the European Green Deal and the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. Prysmian will make use of its extended facilities in Pignataro Maggiore, Campania, to manufacture these cables. That site recently received over €20 million in investment to support an increase in capacity, including in high voltage cables.

Prysmian Europe CEO Marcello Del Brenna said the deal was positive on multiple levels. Prysmian will help Terna improve its power grid and bolster progress for its energy transition while supporting the overall Italian economy by making the cables at its Pignataro Maggiore factory in Caserta. Added Italy Country Manager Fabio Zucca, “This framework agreement is an important commitment, from both Prysmian and Terna at a critical moment in the energy transition, and we are proud to have been entrusted with this significant award.”

LS Eco Energy Ltd. (LSEE), part of LS Cable & System, signed a Joint Development Agreement with PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) during the Vietnam–Korea Economic Forum on August 12 in Seoul.

A press release said that the agreement covers investment, construction and operation of a high-voltage alternating and direct current cable manufacturing plant, marking a strategic step to strengthen Vietnam’s renewable energy infrastructure and related industries. It noted that as the world shifts to clean energy, demand for high-capacity power transmission, especially offshore high-voltage cables, is rising rapidly. At the same time, a global shortage of quality HVDC cables is slowing many renewable projects. “The partnership between PTSC and LSEE aims to tackle this challenge and position Vietnam as a regional leader in producing and exporting high-quality high-voltage cables.”

The strong backing from the two parent corporations, PetroVietnam and LS Cable & System, serves as a strategic guarantee for the scale and long-term sustainability of the venture, while underscoring their commitment to driving technological innovation, enhancing value creation, and making a positive contribution to the global green energy development goals, the release said.

LS Cable & System currently operates two large-scale manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, namely LS-VINA Cable & System in Haiphong and LS Cable Vietnam in Dong Nai. The company notes that both of its facilities have established a strong reputation for delivering high-quality power cables to domestic and export markets. The addition of the new high-voltage cable plant will complete the production value chain, meeting the rapidly growing demand in this strategic market segment.

Italy’s SAMP announced that the company plans to complete its headquarters relocation by March 2026 to a larger facility in Quarto Inferiore, Granarolo dell’Emilia.

A press release said that the new site, spanning 12,000 sq m, “represents a pivotal investment in SAMP’s international strategy, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, innovation capabilities, and customer proximity.” The plant will offer the OEM wire and cable equipment manufacturer a 30% increase in production space and allow consolidation of all Italian operations under one roof, fostering stronger interdepartmental collaboration and enabling a more agile response to market demands.

Central to this transformation is the revamped Customer Service structure, now strengthened with the creation of dedicated Service Centers worldwide. The centers help customers avoid unnecessary costs and can serve local markets more effectively by hiring local personnel and establishing regional hubs, such as those already operating, which are capable of providing tailored service and immediate support. These hubs are strategically developed to ensure close contact with customers for revamping activities, technical services and ongoing support.

While the headquarters relocates, SAMP’s global footprint remains firmly established. With active manufacturing facilities in Brazil and China and a solid commercial presence in the U.S., SAMP continues to strengthen its international operations to better serve a growing global customer base. “This strategic expansion reflects SAMP’s commitment to delivering high-performance solutions, tailored services, and faster support across borders, paving the way for the next phase of global industrial excellence.”

Prysmian has secured a contract to supply approximately 740 km of submarine fiber optic cable for the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL) project, a cornerstone infrastructure initiative designed to deliver equitable broadband access across all six main Hawaiian islands by late 2026.

A press release said that the HIFL cable system represents a critical component of the Hawaiʻi’s Connect Kākou initiative to provide reliable broadband service to all residents, businesses, educational institutions and government facilities. The submarine cable system will span approximately 416 miles of seabed between islands, with cables ranging from 1.1 in. in diameter in shallower waters to about 0.6 in. at maximum depths. The installation will connect cable landing sites on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island.

Each cable landing site will employ horizontal directional drilling to traverse underneath shorelines to offshore connection points, minimizing environmental impact while ensuring secure cable placement. The system design incorporates 24 fiber pairs with a 25-year operational life expectancy.

A series of explosions at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works on Monday, Aug. 11, killed two workers and injured 10, shutting down part of the vast facility but leaving most operations intact.

According to updated reports and company statements, the Clairton plant—North America’s largest coke facility and now a central part of Nippon Steel’s U.S. operations after its $15 billion acquisition—remains a critical supplier to U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and other downstream manufacturing, including wire rod lines. Emergency responders from 14 fire departments and 20 EMS services, along with plant crews, focused recovery and rescue efforts on batteries 13 and 14, key sections where the incident took place, while the rest of the sprawling, century-old plant stayed functional.

Advisories initially told residents within a mile to stay indoors, though health officials later lifted the warning as air quality remained at safe levels. Multiple state, local, and federal agencies are conducting thorough investigations, with community groups and labor unions closely monitoring all developments and future safety measures.

Nippon Steel, which finalized its acquisition in June, said that while batteries 13 and 14 are down indefinitely for investigation and repairs, the remainder of the plant and its workforce of nearly 1,300 are operating. Executives have not disclosed how much of Clairton’s 4.3-million-ton annual capacity remains offline but emphasized the outage is limited to just two of ten batteries.

The incident has renewed focus on both safety and long-term investment in the facility, as officials and Nippon Steel pledge a full investigation, increased support for those impacted, and a commitment to future plant safety and modernization.

On August 4, Amphenol Corporation announced it would acquire CommScope’s Connectivity and Cable Solutions (CCS) business for $10.5 billion. It didn’t take long for the company to follow up with a second announcement.

An Aug. 18 press release said that Amphenol has now agreed to acquire Trexon from Audax Private Equity in a transaction that reports said was valued at about $1 billion. Trexon, based in Boston, Massachusetts, with some 1,100 employees globally, specializes in custom-engineered interconnect solutions such as specialty cable, cable assemblies and connectors for defense, aerospace, industrial, and specialty markets.

The deal with CommScope, Amphenol’s largest ever, is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Per Reuters, this transaction will make Amphenol a major player in the U.S. and global wire and cable markets by dramatically expanding its broadband and fiber-optic product lines. Prior to the deal, Amphenol was best known for its connectors and specialty cables, while CommScope’s CCS unit was widely recognized for its fiber-optic and copper connectivity cables used in broadband networks, cable television, and data centers.

CommScope’s CCS business employs more than 15,000 people worldwide, with major manufacturing and distribution centers in the U.S. It also has operations throughout Latin America, Asia-Pacific, India, China, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

“We are excited to welcome the talented CCS team to Amphenol,” company CEO R. Adam Norwitt said in an interview with CNBC, calling the acquisition “a strong long-term growth opportunity.” Amphenol’s official press release emphasized that the deal will bolster its fiber-optic interconnect capabilities, particularly in the data center and broadband infrastructure segments.

Legal advisor Latham & Watkins noted that the combination of Amphenol’s existing product lines with the newly acquired businesses would make it “one of the largest U.S. manufacturers in the wire and cable industry, especially in the broadband and fiber optic segments.”

For CommScope, the sale of its CCS business represents a major realignment. The company will retain its Access Network Solutions and Ruckus segments.

U.S.-based Oceaneering International Inc. hopes to expand the scope of cable production at its existing plant in Rosyth, Scotland, a development that reflects a larger industry trend: established manufacturers adapting their operations to address new opportunities in the evolving wire and cable sector.

Per a press release and wire reports, Oceaneering has received a €465,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise to support dynamic cable qualification projects at its established Rosyth facility. The funding will drive initial R&D using existing equipment, aimed at designing and certifying new subsea power cables for floating offshore wind projects. Once qualified, Oceaneering will invest to expand production capacity with new equipment and automation. The company said the project is expected to support both jobs and advanced manufacturing skills in Scotland.

“We are excited to leverage our established expertise in subsea systems to support the floating wind sector and strengthen Scotland’s role in this industry,” an Oceaneering press release said.

Oceaneering’s Rosyth facility has produced subsea communication, power and hydraulic umbilicals for offshore oil and gas platforms since 1999. Now, the company aims to extend this expertise into cables for renewables. For the initial R&D and qualification phase, existing manufacturing equipment will be used. If the project progresses as anticipated, Oceaneering will participate in the growing floating wind supply chain, increasing its contribution to the expanding renewables market.

This approach—expanding cable capabilities into emerging markets—contrasts with developments seen in other regions. As reported in the June issue of WJI, two major Indian industrial firms, UltraTech Cement and Adani Group—each previously unrelated to cable manufacturing—announced plans to enter the wire and cable sector. UltraTech Cement, for example, intends to invest $216 million over the next two years, while Adani Group cited the attractiveness of a compound annual growth rate that has topped 13% in recent years.

Oceaneering’s story alone may not seem like big news, but it shows how the wire and cable industry has emerged as a growth field—for established cable manufacturers seeking new applications, as well as for companies entering new markets/locations.