The last acquisition by Prysmian, the world’s largest cable manufacturer, was its largest ever: a $3 billion deal for U.S.-based General Cable that was completed in 2018. Per a report in Reuters, the company may make another deal in the year or two.

The Reuters story said that during an analyst call, Chief Executive Valerio Battista said that “until recently M&A ‘was a suicide’ due to sky-high valuations.” That situation is changing, and Prysmian has a healthy balance sheet that allows it to pursue opportunities. “Frankly speaking, I believe that in the next 12-24 months ... some of our competitors may come to the door,” he said.

No potential acquisitions were cited in the article, which noted that Prysmian expects a cash flow of between €550-650 million this year, topping prior guidance.

 CommScope^® reports that it plans to invest $60.3 million over the next four years to expand its manufacturing facilities based in North Carolina to bolster its ability to meet U.S. supply demands driven by federal initiatives.

 A press release said that CommScope currently has the capacity to manufacture drop cable at a rate of approximately two billion feet per year at its U.S. facilities, a level of production that will allow states and their partners to connect every underserved American as a part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The expansion in Catawba County is expected to create at least 250 new jobs.

The expansion will further allow CommScope to manufacture the necessary cable for service providers to deploy broadband across the U.S. Capacity increase will align around loose tube production and additional fiber cable counts and styles needed for rural deployment, including CommScope’s HeliARC^™ fiber optic cable that is specifically designed for rural fiber network architecture.

“Broadband for everyone is no longer a luxury, but rather a critical necessity to participate in today’s society and economic market,” said CommScope President and CEO Chuck Treadway. “We have long been committed to supplying our partners with the solutions necessary to bring broadband to everyone. Furthering our long-standing relationship with the State of North Carolina is a great next step to bring ‘Internet For All’, and we are thrilled to work with the State on this endeavor.

Prime Materials Recovery, Inc. (PMR), announced that it is buying an SCR copper rod system from Southwire for installation at its subsidiary, IMC - Metals America, LLC (IMC), in Shelby, North Carolina.

A press release said that the new line—the SCR 4500— will be installed in a purpose-built plant at the existing site, and mark the business’s entry into the ETP copper rod market. Sitework is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023 and bring 75-80 new jobs to Cleveland County, North Carolina.

PMR noted that in a separate initiative, IMC, one of North America’s largest producers of oxygen-free (OF) copper, will be increasing its copper rod production capacity with the purchase and installation of a new line from Upcast OY based in Pori, Finland.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with industry leaders like Southwire and Upcast OY with these initiatives,” said PMR CEO Bernie Schilberg. “We look forward to these successful projects and years of effectively serving our customers and these markets.”

Per PMR, each month it processes and brokers in excess of 35 million pounds of nonferrous metals at its facilities. It also actively participates in the global metal market via its import and export capabilities. PMR and its holding company represent one of the largest nonferrous and polymer merchants, processors, and fabricators in the United States. Based in East Hartford, Connecticut, the business includes facilities in Canastota, New York; South Windsor and Willimantic, Connecticut; Jersey City, New Jersey; Hickory and Shelby, North Caroline; Orangeburg, South Carolina; Miami, Florida; and Wilmington, Delaware.

The SCR-4500 system is designed for a production rate of 35 metric tons per hour of eight mm rod. The project includes the design of all operating equipment from a skip cart furnace loader to a finished rod handling system. The system will include an 11 stand Morgan “No Twist^®” rolling mill, furnished by Primetals Technologies.

“We would like to welcome IMC into the SCR family and look forward to many years of successful collaboration,” said Mark Roden, Southwire’s vice president of SCR Technologies. “It is through our continued support and the SCR Technology Pool that this relationship will continue to grow for many years to come.”

NKT reports that it has signed a long-term contract with major European copper producer KGHM S.A. to ensure that it will get the copper rod it needs for 2023-2027.

 A press release said that the expansion of renewable energy sources has led to considerable increased demand for copper. To secure that essential supply NKT signed a long-term agreement with Polish copper supplier KGHM S.A. for an annual minimum of 52,500 metric tons of copper wire rod for 2023-2027, with an option to expand quantities and extend the contractual period.

“We are pleased to strengthen our long-term collaboration with KGHM by entering into this frame agreement for the supply of copper rod for the coming years,” said NKT President & CEO Claes Westerlind. “And even more so, that we are able to source copper close to where it is needed, which supports our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.”

KGHM is an integrated copper producer with its own mineral resources, mines, smelters and copper rod production facilities in Europe. KGHM’s Głogów and Legnica copper smelters/refineries and Cedynia wire rod plant are Copper Mark certified. In line with its commitment to connect a greener world, NKT has also joined the Copper Mark to promote responsible copper mining and production.

Germany’s August Strecker GmbH & Co. KG (Strecker) this year celebrates its 90th anniversary, with the family-run company continuing its legacy of outstanding quality and innovative welding technology.

Per the company, the commitment to innovation stems back to 1933 when Strecker filed its first patent, laying the foundation for future success. In the following years, the production program was constantly expanded, and sales markets enlarged. Today, Stecker’s product range is the most diverse for welding applications in the wire and cable industry, including models for diameters as small as 0.04 mm for the electronics industry to solid wires up to 60 mm in diameter. Basically, the company can weld any metal which is considered to be weldable.

In this its anniversary year 2023, Strecker is again presenting new products: the soldering gun type LP10 addresses manufacturers of high-voltage transformers while producers of submarine cables can now connect conductor cables up to a cross-section of 3500 mm², i.e., 67 mm diameter, with type MK1200-FPC.

The company’s circle of customers includes well-known international groups such as tire manufacturer Michelin, cable producers such as Nexans and Prysmian, and car manufacturers such as BMW and Volkswagen.

Strecker exports to more than 110 countries, with all five continents equally represented, with around 60% of production remaining in Europe. The company takes part in national and international trade fairs, making the “Strecker” brand increasingly well known worldwide, bolstered by a network of more than 40 foreign representatives who support sales and ensure close customer contact.

Beyond welders, Strecker supplies technical consultancy prior and after purchase, commissioning and personnel training at worldwide locations, as well as support in solving complex tasks related to welding and process optimization. Many issues can be resolved via remote maintenance, and service packages are offered for customers with time-critical production to ensure fast and reliable support every day of the week.

Strecker produces in a climate-neutral and sustainable manner. The company vehicle fleet is gradually being converted to e-mobility and employees are being motivated and encouraged to make the switch.

For almost 60 years, Managing Director Rainer Stock shaped the development and growth of the company. Following his death in 2022, his son, Michael Stock, has managed the family business, supported by key staffers Sigrun Möbus, Uwe Hastrich and Kim Schmitt.

Stock praised the contribution of employees. “Together we can be proud of what we have achieved. We draw motivation from this for continuous progress in the future. Strecker connects!”