Germany’s Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co. KG reports that it will invest €15.5 million to expand machine production capacity for the wire and cable industry.

A press release from the OEM said that the company recently held two ground-breaking ceremonies at the company’s headquarters in Schwabach and at its branch plant at Leuterschach to mark the start of the construction work. The factory in Schwabach will be expanded by two halls—a manufacturing hall and a logistics hall—that are scheduled to go into operation in August 2025. Like the existing halls of the modern factory opened in 2015, the two new ones will also have a photovoltaic system on the roofs and use geothermal energy for heating and cooling technology.

At Leuterschach, Niehoff has acquired an additional 3,500 sq m of factory premises and will build another hall and outdoor facilities there, expanding the existing production area by 1,700 sq m for storage, assembly and testing. The release said that the owners of the family business are investing the €15.5 million not just for the additional capacity but to further their sustainability goals. Since the beginning of 2021, 100% of the electricity in both the Schwabach and the Leuterschach factories have been generated from hydropower and is therefore carbon-free.

The company attaches great importance to the long-term durability of its products and stands for the manufacture of machines featuring reliability, process stability, high productivity, energy and materials efficiency, and reduced CO2 emissions. Consequently, Niehoff is also certified by the German Environmental Auditors Board EMAS, belongs to the Blue Competence sustainability initiative of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and with a view to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) cooperates with the international platform for sustainability ratings EcoVadis.

Niehoff Group has a workforce of around 1,300 employees worldwide and is comprised of its headquarters, its branch plants at Leuterschach in Germany, NST in Badalona-Barcelona, Spain, and manufacturing subsidiaries in Brazil, the U.S., the Czech Republic, India, China, and Sweden, along with sales and service centers in Japan, Singapore, and Mexico.

Interwire 2025 has sold out and the excitement continues to build, promising a dynamic platform for exhibitors and attendees alike. The floor plan will soon be expanded to fit additional exhibitors, reflecting the robust demand that exists for in-person networking and showcasing technology.

Once again, Interwire will welcome a diverse array of international exhibitors, highlighting the global nature of the industry. Notable participation includes dozens of exhibitors from Turkey, India and China but also from Argentina and Indonesia ... both first-timers! Combined with a healthy showing from Europe, total country representation on the show floor is now at 24 countries. Attendees will see cutting-edge machinery and innovative technologies from around the world.

Interwire will embrace cultural diversity, innovative ideas and in-person engagement in the largest North American business event for the wire and cable industry. It is a must-attend event that will drive forward the momentum of global trade and collaboration. To enhance the experience, the show floor will feature engaging “activation areas” designed to captivate attendees. For instance, a global lounge will allow guests to indulge in culinary delights and drinks of different cultures while networking with industry peers, while “the Taste of the South” will present the local flare of southern hospitality.

Aurora Material Solutions, LLC (Aurora), a manufacturer of polymer compounds that expanded in March with the acquisition of EnCom Polymers, reports that it has completed the expansion of its plant in Streetsboro, Ohio.

A press release said that the facility expansion “adds over 140 million pounds of compounding capacity, creates new jobs, and supports Aurora’s continued growth with customer partners.” The facility is the company’s largest and hosts its rigid PVC technical center.

“The expansion is an example of our company’s mission to be our customers’ first choice in polymer solutions,” said Aurora CEO Darrell Hughes. “The expansion will help us continue to grow and win with our customers while further enhancing our unparalleled quality and lead times.”

In other news, earlier this year, Aurora announced the launch of AuroraEcoplast™ and a number of recycled and other sustainable material solutions. The company notes that it has achieved +Vantage Vinyl Gold compliance, an industry-wide sustainability designation created by the Vinyl Sustainability Council. It was audited by the third-party GreenCircle, which certified companies across the entire U.S. vinyl value chain.

In March, the company changed its name from Aurora Plastics to Aurora Material Solutions, a name change was said to have been to reflects the company’s commitment to expanding its scope and embracing a broader range of materials and solutions.