Alphagary, a division of Orbia’s Polymer Solutions, will now market the ESCONTEL semi-conductive compound product lines from India’s Shakun Polymers Private Limited (Shakun) in North America as well as provide funding to expand its capacity and optimize its processes.

A press release said that Shakun became part of the Orbia family in May 2021, and its products continued to be sold in India and other countries. Now, Alphagary will market them in the Americas. The plan for product expansion will enable Shakun to grow its capacity from 35,000 TPA to almost 100,000 TPA. None of Shakun compounds will be made in the U.S., and while the plan is for the Shakun to be sent to North America, ESCONTEK is available to ship to Central America if requested.

A direct complement to Alphagary’s specialty product offerings that support a connected world, Shakun’s product development focus is on halogen-free, flame-retardant compounds and PVC-based compounds for data and power cables. Its semi-conductive and cross-linkable compounds expand Alphagary’s portfolio, offer a growth platform and meet customer requirements.

ESCONTEK compounds meet several industry standard requirements (when processed using sound material handling, extrusion, and cross-linking practices) including UL 1072, ANSI/ICEA, AEIC, IEC, BS, and others.

AZ Wire & Cable announced the acquisition of Gen-Pro, a provider of generator-related products such as generator installation cable.

A press release said that the strategic acquisition further enhances AZ Wire & Cable’s position as a one-stop solution for electrical distribution needs. The acquisition of Gen-Pro, based in Gig Harbor, Washington, will allow AZ Wire & Cable to expand its product offerings to include brands such as TCERDirect™ cable and accessories, SmoothStarter™ soft starters, and X-Riser™ gas risers.

NKT reports that construction has started on the company’s cable extrusion tower in Karlskrona, Sweden, for what it said will be the world’s largest factory for high-voltage offshore power cables.

A July 31st press release said that the slipform casting of concrete had started for the site’s third extrusion tower, which will become the second tallest tower in Sweden. Over the coming months, a truck per hour will supply concrete to the tower, ensuring its rapid ascent to 200 meters to stand as a landmark of NKT’s ongoing investments in production capacity and capabilities. “The beginning of the slip forming is a major milestone in the expansion of the factory in Karlskrona,” said Darren Fennell, executive vice president and head of HV Solutions Karlskrona in NKT. “The ongoing investments ... prepares us for the positive development we expect in the high-voltage power cable market.”

The extrusion tower is crucial in adding insulation to the high-voltage power cables produced at the Swedish facility. The construction of the tower is part of a larger investment program in NKT’s high-voltage power cable business, which also includes a second cable-laying vessel, set to be operational from 2027 alongside the factory expansion. As part of this growth, NKT plans to recruit over 500 new employees by 2027 and is on track with the hiring process in Karlskrona.

Following Prysmian’s recent acquisition of Encore Wire, the companies announced that they have  chosen a new combination of sales representatives for industrial/construction sectors.

A press release said that the 28 agencies include: AJB Sales; Apex Electrical Sales, Inc.; Arthur A. Boyle, Inc.; Callas Kingsley Electrical Sales; Cascade Western;  Convergence Partners, Inc.; ESP (Electrical Specified Products); Enhanced Electrical Sales; Gallagher Sales Associates, Inc.; Gen-Mark; Gorin-Cockrell-Decker; Gumersell Cashdan, Inc.: Healy-Mattos: Interwest Electric Sales; Joe Bertsch Electrical Sales Company.; L.P. Chick Company, Inc.; McCreary Sales.; McDonough & Associates.; Meridian Electrical Sales.; Power Corp.; Power Corp.; Schaeffer Marketing Group, Inc.; Synergy Electrical Sales, Inc.; Vincent-Angel, Inc.; and Wire Core Sales.

“Prysmian and Encore believe these agencies bring strength and expertise, ensuring both companies continue to deliver top-quality products and services to customers,” the release said. For information about specific coverage areas, contact Prysmian’s Industrial and Construction Team at tel. 800-243-8020.

Italy’s Tratos Cavi Spa (Tratos) reports that it has acquired Telnet and all shares of AFL Telecommunications Europe Ltd. (AFL TE), a subsidiary of AFL Telecommunications LLC (AFL).

A press release said that Telnet, a Spanish manufacturer founded in 1996, provides fiber optic cables, antennas, passive components and GPON equipment to regions in Europe, South America and Asia. The business unit was acquired in a judicial process that prevented its closing and saved more than 100 direct jobs.

The purchase by Tratos unlocks the potential of Telnet’s fiber optic cable and passive optical component division. “Telnet completely cleaned up its balance sheet and reversed the trend of operational deterioration, significantly improving profitability, with a turnover of approximately €20 million.”

A press release said that the AFL purchase includes all fiber optic cable product lines for the power utility, rail, and oil and gas markets, including the SkyWrap® attached fiber optic solution for overhead power lines, ruggedized trackside fiber optic cables and subsea umbilical optic cable components.

The company will continue to operate in its recently expanded facility in Swindon, U.K. The acquisition will increase the Tratos footprint in the U.K., alongside its existing electrical cable facility in Knowsley.

Tratos CEO Elisabetta Bragagni Capaccin said that the addition of AFL TE’s product capabilities, staff technical expertise and EMEA sales team will strengthen Trato’s market position.

Jeff Schmerbeck, AFL’s vice-president of cable solutions, said that Tratos is a good synergistic match for the AFL Swindon facility. “This is exciting news for the European utility, renewables, and rail industries.”