Editorial Letter

Interwire cancelation: a decision that matches the times

This editorial marks a WJI first: there has never been one signed by the WAI’s Board of Directors. However, as we have learned over the past 20 or so months, normal has been in short supply. Below is their statement.

We voted, grudgingly, on Sept. 10, to cancel Interwire 2021. Here, we want to put that decision in context. We have a unified commitment to WAI’s educational mission and the greater good of the industry. After Wire Expo was canceled last year, we had hoped that the Covid-19 effect would end there, yet we also planned for the worst.

Late last year, then President Jan Sørige and incoming President Tom Heberling divided the Board into two task forces to put together the first-ever WAI Industry 4.0 showcase. It was a challenge to collect the expertise, but the 4.0 theme was the right focus at the right time. At our May meeting, our spirits were buoyed by positive news of the vaccines and a dramatic lowering of positive case counts. More companies again allowed essential travel. The news looked good.

Two months later, the backdrop had changed for the worse, and at our September 10 meeting we voted to cancel the event. A lot of factors went into that decision, very little of which was under our control. We still don’t like the cancelation, but we stand by it: staging an event that is unlikely to provide attendees and suppliers the value it has long been associated with does not serve the industry.

We want to focus on one positive: the support of industry suppliers. As a group, they trusted us to manage the event, and to do the right thing. Many were both disappointed and relieved by our decision, but overwhelmingly, they confirmed their support for future events. They saw that we had chosen to support the value of our Interwire brand.

We would much prefer that this editorial was one highlighting the value of the upcoming Interwire show, but we believe our “grit-your-teeth” decision to do what was right reflects the best of the organization. We have already heard industry support for Wire Expo 2022 and Interwire 2023, and our focus is now on making sure that momentum continues, and that those events succeed.

WAI Board of Directors

Joe Barrett, Davis Wire Corporation; Eric P Bieberich, Fort Wayne Wire Die Inc; WT Bigbee, Encore Wire Corp; Daniel Blais, Prysmian Group; Kurt Breischaft, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS; Brian Burr, Sumiden Wire Products Inc; Tim Fingeroos, Charter Steel; David Fisher, James Monroe Wire & Cable; Raúl Garcia, Viakable SA de CV; Marco Gerardo, Frigeco USA Inc; Thomas Heberling, Southwire Co; Harvey McDowell, Berk-Tek LLC, Nexans; Robert McKinzie, Leggett & Platt Inc; Richard R Miller, Consultant; Brian Parsons, Interstate Wire Co Inc; Jan Sørige, Enkotec Co Inc; Willem Sunblad, Oden Technologies Inc; Robert Wild, Niehoff Endex North America Inc; Dave Winebarger, Sonoco; James R York, Insteel Industries; and John Zachow, Davis-Standard LLC

One final note. While Interwire was canceled, the Industry 4.0 Conference (and other elements) were not. That valuable program will be produced virtually on October 26-27, with sessions archived and available on-demand after the event. See p. 42 for details.

PUBLISHER Steven J. Fetteroll EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Marselli GRAPHIC DESIGNER Karren Muolo DIRECTOR OF SALES Robert Xeller SALES MANAGER Shannon Timme

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Janice E. Swindells

WAI PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Dane Armendariz, consultant Ferruccio Bellina, TKT Group/President ACIMAF Michael Crowle, QED Wire Lines Inc. Tom Moran, consultant Giulio Properzi, Continuus Properzi Willem Sundblad, Oden Technologies Inc. John N. Tomaz, Stolberger Robert Wild, Niehoff Endex North America W.T. Bigbee, Encore Wire Corp.

TECHNICAL ADVISORS

John Drummond, Scotia Group R. M. Shemenski, RMS Consulting, Inc.

Images: Adobe Stock.

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