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Industry News
Nexans to acquire Latin American cable manufacturer from Mexico’s Xignux SA
Nexans announced that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with Xignux SA of Mexico to acquire Centelsa, a premium cable maker in Latin America, for an undisclosed price.
A press release said that Centelsa, based in Colombia, produces cable for building and utilities applications. It was described as an “iconic world class cable maker,” with annual revenues of more than US$250 million and an enterprise value of US$225 million. The closing, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to take place in the first half of 2022.
The Centelsa acquisition “is fully aligned with (our) strategic ambition to become a pure electrification player,” said Nexans CEO Christopher Guérin. The addition will further contribute to Nexans’s ability to serve renewable projects in the Andean Region and enhance its capacity in building and energy distribution.
“This combination will be the stepstone to grow our best-in-class solutions and unique premium brand,” said Viakable-Centelsa CEO Sergio Valdes. “The Centelsa team has demonstrated, for more than six decades, professionalism in delivering high value to our customers. As a global player in energy transmission, Nexans is a great fit to lead the next phase of growth for Centelsa´s customers and employees. Jointly, there is a promising future ahead.”
Centelsa was cited as being the first cable manufacturer in Colombia. Per Centelsa’s website, the company’s origin traces back to 1955, when INCE Ltda (Industria Nacional de Conductores Eléctricos) started its operation in the city of Cali, manufacturing low-voltage cables as magnet wire for applications in motor winding. In 1961, Ceat General of Colombia S.A. was established through the merger with U.S.-based General Cable Corporation and Italy’s Ceat International. It expanded in 1980 with a second plant, then a third in 1993. In 1994, CENTELSA (Cables De Energia Y Telecomunicaciones S.A.) was formed by the merger of Ceat General De Colombia S.A., Facomec and Fadaltec S.A. In 2012, it became part of the Viakable, the cables division of Xignux, a Mexican industrial group.
Over the years, Centelsa won numerous awards and certifications. Today, it has a network of strategically located offices to cover the national and international market, thus offering an opportune service.
Hitachi Cable plans to close Pensacola plant and shift production to Mexico
Hitachi Cable has taken a step toward closing its plant in Pensacola, Florida, and moving those operations to Mexico.
Per a report in the Pensacola News Journal, Hitachi Cable has filed a notice with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to notify the state that it was closing its Pensacola manufacturing operations by the end of next March. The company said in a statement that approximately 300 salaried and hourly workers will be affected by the plant’s closing. In the notice to the DEO, the company said 202 employees at the Pensacola plant would lose their jobs.
The plant on Ely Road was built in 1985 and was owned by Coupled Products Inc. until it was sold to Hitachi Cable America in 2008, according to county property records. The plant manufactures components and cables for antilock braking systems and hybrid vehicles.
Medicoil to expand Wisconsin location
Medicoil, a division of R&L Spring Company, announced that it has broken ground for a 40,000-sq-ft expansion to its facility in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
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A press release said that the new manufacturing space is scheduled for completion in early 2022 and will support their continued growth in the medical device market. “For the fourth time since 1997 we are again proud to expand our manufacturing business,” said company owner and President Scott Forsythe.
Per its website, Medicoil was formed in 1992, a division of R&L Spring Company, which began in 1972. It supplies precision springs and wireforms to a wide range of OEMs in powersports, automotive, medical, and other general indus-
MICRO-PRECISION COIL AND FORMED WIRE PRODUCTS FOR THE MEDICAL DEVICE INDUSTRY tries markets. The Medicoil brand was established in 2000 to focus on opportunities in the medical market. It has preferred-supplier status among some of the world’s leading medical device companies for its prevision coiled and formed wire products that are used in components and subassemblies that go into implantable devices. Medicoil’s modern facilities include an ISO 7 (Class 10,000) Clean Room.
R&L Spring Company notes that it is a preferred source of OEMs for precision springs, rings, wireforms and four-slide components, plus secondary and finishing processes.
Hellenic Cables wins contract to supply 70 km of cable for use in two wind farms
Hellenic Cables has won an award from Vattenfall, a Swedish power company, to supply 70 km of cable for two offshore wind farms.
A press release said that Hellenic Cables, the cables segment of Cenergy Holdings, will design, manufacture, test and supply approximately 70 km of 66kV XLPE insulated inter-array cables and associated accessories. The project consists of two wind farms: Vesterhav Nord and Vesterhav Syd. The sites will have capacity of 350 MW, able to produce electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of 380,000 Danish households.
The cables will be manufactured at Hellenic Cables’ vertically integrated submarine cable production facility in Corinth, Greece. Production of the cables for both Vesterhav Nord and Vesterhav Syd will commence in summer 2022 and their delivery will take place in the first quarter of 2023.
Vattenfall Project Director Mathilde Lindhardt Damsgaard said that the award was significant in that it marks the first contract between Vattenfall and Hellenic Cables. “We hope this project will form a good basis for extending the cooperation to future tenders and projects, expanding our supplier base so that we can work together to achieve Vattenfall’s ambition of making fossil-free living possible within one generation.”
Alexis Alexiou, CEO of Cenergy Holdings and Hellenic Cables, said that the order “confirms once again that we are a leading European cable provider enabling the transition to a sustainable energy system in a reliable way.”
Hellenic Cables notes that it is one of the largest cable producers in Europe, manufacturing power and telecom cables as well as submarine cables for various industries, including offshore wind and utilities, as well as undertaking turnkey power transmission and distribution projects. Through its fully owned subsidiary, Fulgor, Hellenic Cables operates its submarine cables plant in Corinth, Greece, where the production and testing of some of the longest submarine cable lengths without factory joints on a worldwide basis is empowered by the company’s state-ofthe-art facilities and equipment.
Interwire 2021 canceled
WAI’s Board of Directors voted Sept. 10 to cancel Interwire 2021. See pp. 6. and 37 for details about its decision, and p. 42 for a preview of the virtual conference, featuring Industry 4.0, and more, to be held Oct. 26-27.
Alloy Engineering acquires Thermcraft
Alloy Engineering, a fabricator specializing in high-temperature and corrosion-resistant alloys, has acquired Thermcraft Inc., a manufacturer of thermal processing equipment.
The official announcement was made when Nancy Crafton, widow of former Thermcraft President and CEO Thomas Crafton, shared the details of the acquisition with the Thermcraft family and introduced them to the new owners. “Selling Thermcraft was easier knowing it’s going to a company that respects its history and values its employees like Alloy Engineering does,” said Nancy Crafton. “Tom would be happy to know there is a bright future for Thermcraft.”
Thermcraft, a customer of Alloy Engineering, will continue its operations at its site in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina. The company has some 55 employees. The announcement said that the Thermcraft acquisition fits into Alloy Engineering’s strategy to expand their high-temperature product offering. It will be able to leverage its Metallic Wire & Cable and Telecom Cables Market Outlooks expertise in high-temperature alloys along with Alloy SEPTEMBER 2021 Engineering’s expertise in ceramics and heaters to deliver Optical Fibre: Outlook for innovative products to new markets. “I am excited and eager to take the reputation built by the demand robust, although prices still lag Crafton family along with the Thermcraft employees and
grow it to the next level,” said Lee Watson, President & CEO of Alloy Engineering. “By merging the core competencies of both companies and taking innovative solutions to market, we will provide a solid future for both of our companies.”
Alloy Engineering, located in Berea, Ohio, designs and manufactures equipment for high-temperature and corrosive industrial applications in installations around the world.
CRU International outlook for fiber cable: 1 of 2
U.K.-based CRU International delivers business intelligence through analysis, prices, consulting and events. Below, Michael Finch, head of Wire and Cable, looks at optical fiber and a third quarter assessment for metallic wire and cable, and for optical fiber. He can be contacted at michael.finch@crugroup.com.
The global optical fibre and fibre optic cable market has turned a corner and is now fully on the road to recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic. Renewed and increasingly ambitious FTTH targets in key telecom nations has buoyed our mid-term outlook for demand outside of China. Such elevated targets and faster deployment speeds have been enabled by rising private and public investment, which continues to flow into the industry at an increasing pace. This is especially true for the US, where FTTH-related deployments have surged as funding from the RDOF program ($20.4 bn over two phases) kicks in and begins to meaningfully address rural connectivity issues. The US now accounts for the vast majority of global upgrades versus the May 2021 update as shown in Figure 1 below.
Fiber outlook: overall robust, but expect weak prices
The global optical fiber and fiber optic cable market is now fully on the road to recovery following the Covid19 pandemic. Renewed and increasingly ambitious FTTH targets in key telecom nations has buoyed our mid-term outlook for demand outside of China. Such elevated targets and faster deployment speeds have been enabled by rising private and public investment, which continues to flow into the industry at an increasing pace. This is especially true for the U.S., where FTTH-related deployments have surged as funding from the RDOF program ($20.4 bn over two phases) begins to meaningfully address rural connectivity issues. The U.S. now accounts for the vast majority of global upgrades versus the May 2021 update. See Fig.1.
Elsewhere, CRU continues to temper its mid-term outlook for cable demand in China, while marginal upgrades across key telecom markets in Europe has seen over 2M F-km added to our outlook in 2025. The French government has allocated €570 million to roll out fiber to the country’s rural areas to achieve full coverage by 2025. Deutsche Telekom is also entering into an agreement with financial investor KKR to accelerate fiber rollout by the creation of a JV called Open Dutch Fibre, through an initial investment volume of €700 million.
Meanwhile in China, demand has stabilized, although increasing volumes are anticipated as part of the impending China Mobile tender. This has seen a number of delays, but should be announced soon.
Global prices remain an issue despite a rebalancing in China and marginal gains since the start of the year. Prices and profitability at producers in certain markets will be suppressed until excess preform and draw capacity is reduced globally. One exception is the U.S., where robust demand and protectionist trade measures mean both bare fiber and cable prices average some 30-50% higher compared to China, and this is
Elsewhere, CRU continues to temper its mid-term outlook for cable demand in China, while marginal upgrades across key telecom markets in Europe has seen over 2M F-km added to our outlook in 2025. Buoying our outlook for cable demand in Europe, the French government has allocated €570 million to roll out fibre to the country’s rural areas, with the aim of achieving full coverage by 2025. Deutsche Telekom is also entering into an agreement with financial investor KKR to accelerate fibre rollout by the creation of a JV called Open Dutch Fibre, through an initial investment volume of €700 million. Meanwhile in China, CRU understands demand has stabilised at a healthy level currently, although increasing volumes are highly anticipated as part of the impending China Mobile tender. This has seen a number of delays, but current intelligence suggests this will be announced during the month of September. unlikely to change drastically in the mid-term.Prices on a global level do, however, remain an issue. This is despite a rebalancing in China We cover the above and more detailed research in our Metallic and marginal gains since the start of the year. Prices and profitability at producers in certain markets will remain supressed unless excess preform and draw capacity can be removed globally. The one exception currently is the US, where robust demand and protectionist trade Wire and Cable Market Outlook and measures mean both bare fibre and cable prices average around 30-50% higher compared Telecom Cables Market Outlook.to China and this is unlikely to change drastically in the mid-term. Here we include demand, supply (plant by plant), trade and price foreWe cover the above and more detailed research in our Metallic Wire and Cable Market Outlook and Telecom Cables Market Outlook. Here we include demand, supply (plant by plant), trade and casts for the next five years broken price forecasts for the next five years broken down by major regions and countries. down by major regions and countries. Figure 1: Upgrades in N. America to offset downgrades in China and APAC ex. China DATA: CRU crugroup.com 2
Changes in CRU forecast optical cable demand(Aug 2021 vs May 2021), M F-km 12 N. America Europe China APAC ex.China RoW 8 4 4 6 7 8 0 -4 -8 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Fig. 1: Upgrades in N. America to offset downgrades in China and APAC ex. China. CRU chart.
Michael Finch
Danieli minimill in China is 1st to produce wire rod in endless casting/rolling mode
Italy’s Danieli reports that the company’s twin-strand MIDA QLP casting system has set a production record at a customer’s plant in China, not only exceeding the design speed of 105 tph per strand, but doing so on a wire rod line that is the only one in the world to produce on an endless mode.
A press release said that since December 2020, the operation at China’s Guilin Pinggang Iron and Steel (Guilin Pinggang) has set and holds the single-strand casting productivity record, which is continuously achieved. The Danieli MIDA QLP TWIN plant features two rolling mills fed by a two-strand caster operating in full endless casting and rolling mode, resulting in stable rolling conditions and consistent energy savings. Being endless it avoids any material cropping with maximization of the overall process yield, as well as constant quality along the entire rolled finished product.
The two mills consist of 20 housingless stands each, and produce respectively 10- to 28-mm rebars and 6- to 12-mm wire rod for a total capacity of 1.3 mtpy. The UFG Ultra Fine Grain process guarantees high-quality products for reliable construction purposes, while allowing considerable alloy savings.
The wire rod mills include the latest design loop layers with optimized pipe shape and material that allow longlife operation while the patented oil film bearing ensures the best rotor dynamics stability, even at the highest rolling speeds, up to 130 m/s. Endless loops are cooled and then collected in the rotating pit, where a special design shear performs the ring cut when the proper coil weight has been reached.
Located nearby Gulin City, in the Guanxi province, the MIDA QLP TWIN of Guilin Pinggang is the first “green” steel plant for long products in China.
Inside the Guilin Pinggang plant. Photo courtesy of Danieli.
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Organizers report new dates have been set for wire and Tube Southeast Asia 2022
New dates for wire and Tube Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, have been announced by organizer Messe Düsseldorf Asia (MDA).
A press release said that the dates for two trade fairs, previously scheduled for February 2022, will now be Oct. 5-7, 2022, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC). Originally scheduled for February 2022, the events were rescheduled due to the on-going ban of large-scale events in Bangkok. There were also concerns about quarantine requirements for international travelers.
“The decision to push the trade fairs to the later part of next year was made with careful consideration and in close consultation with relevant industry and regional partners,” said MDA Managing Director Gernot Ringling. The new date, he said, will enable countries to be better equipped for international travel and making possible face-to-face meetings in a safe, controlled environment.
“Our ability to deliver an event that optimizes participant investment in time and resources is a priority, and after considering all aspects we felt moving the trade fairs to October 2022 would be the best decision,” said MDA Project Director Beattrie Ho. wire and Tube Southeast Asia 2022 will be held alongside the premiere staging of GIFA and METEC Southeast Asia, which were also planned for February 2022.
Metallic Wire & Cable and Telecom Cables Market Outlooks ► WIRE AND CABLE – Q3 2021 UPDATE Metallic Wire & Cable: market booming amid backdrop of risks Michael Finch Head of Wire and Cable We still expect global cable consumption in 2021 to remain a touch below its 2019 size, driven by growth in China and a full recovery in North America and North-East Asia. Europe is forecast to remain 1.6% below its 2019 size, while Indian demand has failed to rebound strongly despite some containment of Covid-19 cases. A key driver of the cable market’s recovery is a boom in residential construction and automotive harness orders. While we expect momentum in the former to remain, albeit at a lower level, we continue to contribute a notable amount of automotive cable orders to stock building. Consequently, we expect a drop in harness orders from OEMs in 2021 H2. Moreover, sustained high commodity prices are expected to keep cable prices elevated. Looking ahead, with a more bullish outlook on future real estate completions and renewablerelated utility and infrastructure projects, China accounts for the majority of upgrades to midterm global cable demand.
U.K.-based CRU International delivers business intelligence through analysis, prices, consulting and events. Below, Michael Finch, head of Wire and Cable, provides a third-quarter assessment for metallic wire and cable. He can be contacted at michael.finch@crugroup.com. The key takeaways of CRU’s recent Wire & Cable market Outlook
Metallic outlook: booming, but the market remains risky
We still expect global cable consumption in 2021 to remain a touch below its 2019 size, driven by growth in China and a full recovery in North America and North-East Asia. Europe is forecast to remain 1.6% below its 2019 size, while Indian demand has failed to rebound strongly despite some containment of Covid-19 cases.
A key cable driver is a boom in residential construction and automotive harness orders. While we expect momentum in the former to remain, at a lower level, we see a notable amount of automotive cable orders for stock building. We expect a drop in harness orders from OEMs in 2021 H2.
Moreover, sustained high commodity prices are expected to keep cable prices elevated. Looking ahead, with a more bullish outlook on future real estate completions and renewable-related utility and infrastructure projects, China accounts for the majority of upgrades to midterm global cable demand. Some key takeaways from CRU’s recent Wire & Cable Market Outlook are summarized here.
China’s demand is dragged down by power cable weakness. High commodity prices led to low state grid power cable orders in Q2. A drop in real estate completions also further weakened cable demand.
Europe’s automotive sector. We expect the automotive sector’s continuous weakness to translate into weaker automotive harness orders in H2.
North America will recover. A U.S. residential construction boom has led to strong building wire orders, which has also contributed to increased cable order lead times.
Taiwan/China will remain NE Asia’s cable demand hot spot. Taiwan/ China’s orders for winding wire, LVE cable and power cable have maintained their strong momentum. Japan has continued to gradually recover.
India to remain the weakest RoW cable market. Despite a partial containment of Covid-19 cases, Indian cable demand has failed to rebound strongly. In Egypt and Brazil, construction cable orders remain robust.
Automotive harness imports. Imports are exceeding vehicle production, primarily in Europe and North America. We expect auto cable orders to weaken in H2.
crugroup.com
China’s demand is dragged down by power cable weakness Europe’s automotive sector is a key obstacle to recovery North America will recover as residential construction boom continues Taiwan, China will remain NE Asia’s cable demand hot spot India to remain the weakest RoW cable market Automotive harness imports are surging (for now)
DATA: CRU Fig. 1: Takeaways from CRU report. Chart courtesy of CRU.
Google reports cable landing in U.K.
Google’s Grace Hopper subsea cable, supplied by SubCom, has landed in the U.K. in Bude, Cornwall, another step forward in the 7,000-km system that was first announced in July 2020.
A press release said that the news follows the recent successful landing of the system in Bilbao. The route connects the U.S., from New York, with Bude in the U.K. and Bilbao, an industrial port city in northern Spain. Plans call for the system to become ready for service in 2022.
Grace Hopper marks the first-ever Google-funded route to Spain. It takes a unique path from Google’s existing cables, such as Dunant, which connects the U.S. and France, and Havfrue, which links the U.S. and Denmark.
Partnering with cable supplier SubCom, the Grace Hopper system has 16 fiber pairs. Google and SubCom engineers collaborated on incorporating novel optical fiber switching into the cable, for increased network reliability, enabling Google to better move traffic around outages. The cable will use fiber switching, which enables Google to better move traffic around outages for increased reliability.
Alcatel Submarine Networks expands cable vessel fleet with 2 additions
The Marine division of Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) announced that it recently acquired two vessels— the Ile de Molène and the Ile d’Yeu—as part of its strategy to modernize and expand installation capacities for the growing submarine telecommunications market.
A press release said that the two vessels joined the ASN fleet respectively on May 7, 2021, for the Ile de Molène and on June 17, 2021, for the Ile d’Yeu. Both vessels will now go through a heavy engineering and upgrade program. The Ile de Molène will be assigned to the maintenance of customer telecommunications cables in the Atlantic and North Sea. It is expected to start operating in the first half of 2022. Ile d’Yeu will join the installation fleet at the end of 2022. The boat will be used to install a transoceanic telecommunication system.
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The vessels specifications are as follows: the Ile d’Yeu is 147 long, and has 4,375 net tons and 13,520 gross tons. The Ile de Molène is 98 m long, and has 2,080 net tons and 5,729 gross tons.
NKT named a preferred supplier for U.S. Champlain Hudson Power Express project
NKT has entered an exclusive Preferred Supplier Agreement (PSA) for delivery of the U.S. power cable system for a hydro project that has an overall estimated cost of approximately 1.1 billion euros.
A press release said that the project, which is being developed by Transmission Developers, Inc. (TDI), is for the prospective 1,250 MW high-voltage DC Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line that will carry power from Canada to New York City. Earlier this year, Hydro-Québec (HQ) and TDI submitted the final project application to the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA). “Now, HQ and TDI have been selected for the Tier 4 renewable energy credits (RECs) needed to proceed towards the final project award by the relevant U.S. authorities.” NKT must still complete final contract negotiations, with those steps expected to be finalized no later than 2022.
If the project goes forward as expected, NKT will provide the engineering, manufacturing as well as installation of the cables along the route.
Per an article in the Westchester Journal News, the $2.2 billion Champlain Hudson project will deliver hydro power from Canada along 340 miles of transmission cable. Some 200 miles will run underwater and another 140 on land, most of that in upstate New York.
“I am very proud that NKT is going to be a key contributor and partner to the U.S. in its transformation towards renewable energy sources,” said NKT President and CEO Alexander Kara, who noted that the company has worked many years with TDI on the project. “We are now in a good position to realize it.”
NKT is a preferred hydro project supplier. Photo courtesy NKT.
Cimteq CEO cites loss of company founder, affirms commitment to its operations
Cimteq Ltd. CEO Mike Braddock said that the recent passing of Ali Shehab, age 51, the company’s co-founder and president (see p. 32), inspires management to continue their mission to serve the wire and cable manufacturing industry.
Braddock described Shehab as “a true gentleman who was passionate and dedicated to his field.” That spirit inspires company management to continue advancing its industry software implementation and process control. “It is with the greatest respect for his memory that we continue to drive Cimteq forward and build on his legacy.”
Shehab and his wife, Amanda, established Cimteq Ltd. in 1998. The company developed CableBuilder Enterprise CableBuilder Go and CableMES software that enables companies to optimize their operations. In 2017, the company was bolstered by a £2.5 million investment from Foresight Group LLP, private equity investment company. That led to the recruitment of a new leadership team that allowed Ali to step down from day-to-day operational responsibilities. Some of the key positions filled include Braddock being named CEO in December 2019, James Bowling named finance director in November 2020, Scott Barnsley named the new sales and marketing director in April 2021, Moti Singh named technical director in July 2021, Ken Jones named marketing manager in November 2020 and former Nexans veteran Hamada Khalifa named commercial technical lead in April 2021.
American Wire Producers Association has new management firm/executive director
The president of the American Wire Producers Association (AWPA) announced that, pursuant to the retirement of longtime Executive Director Kimberly Korbel (see p. 32), the Association has chosen a new management company and executive director.
In a press release, AWPA President Brian Burr thanked Korbel for her leadership and dedication. “We have partnered with AMPED Association Management to provide administrative, finance, membership, communications and meeting services as well as board governance, government relations and Bardach strategic oversight. AMPED will be focused on strengthening operations and building efficiencies, evaluating members needs and increasing engagement, and keeping AWPA in a strong financial position.”
The new executive director will be Emily Bardach, who works for AMPED. She worked with Korbel as director of Membership and Meetings from 1998 to 2011. She has
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CBP: the origin of wire rod still holds if it undergoes further processing elsewhere
The American Wire Producers Association reports that the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has issued a ruling that essentially says that if a company acquires wire rod from another country that is subject to trade actions, and produces wire in a typical process, that wire is still subject to any outstanding trade sanctions.
Per AWPA counsel Fred Waite and Kim Young, the finding relates to a case where stainless-steel wire was produced from wire rod from South Korea, Taiwan, or India. The cold-drawing and annealing of the rod took place in Australia, and the Aqseptence Group, Inc., argued that, due to that substantial transformation, Australia should be the country of origin.
Citing a 1987 court decision in Superior Wire v. United States, CBP determined that the country of origin of the stainless-steel wire is the country of origin of the wire rod: South Korea, Taiwan, or India. In that case, the court held that drawing wire rod into wire does not constitute a substantial transformation because there is no significant change in the use or character of the wire. It found that the wire is not a new and different product than the wire rod, but rather the last stage in the processing operation.
The party requesting the ruling also argued that the annealing process supports a finding of substantial transformation. CBP disagreed, explaining that “annealing is commonly performed subsequent to the wire-drawing process and on its own does not generally create a unique product used in limited applications.” Specifically, CBP explained that it has consistently held that “annealing which is not extensive or complex and does not transform or narrow the uses of the article, is not a substantial transformation.”
Mathiasen Machinery to sell surplus equipment from ASW ‘s Ohio plant
Mathiasen Machinery, Inc., has been awarded an exclusive contract to sell equipment no longer required for the continuing operations of American Spring Wire Pengg LLC in Bedford Heights, Ohio.
A press release said that the equipment was producing round and shaped high-strength wire for the fastener and spring industry. The list of available machines includes rod-breakdown drawing lines with block diameters of 36 in., including a 2012 GRC Eurodraw MTS 900 line; two rolling mills, one of which is a DEM four stand manufactured in 2015; four single-draft bullblocks; a 14-wire lead tempering line; a steel-rod shaving line that was manufac-
tured in 2012; and die room equipment that includes two wire EDM machines for cutting shaped dies.
The equipment, which is still installed and could be seen under power, is available for immediate sale. In addition to Mathiasen Machinery’s international sales of secondhand wire and cable machinery, the company also represents new machinery from Greece’s Pratto Mesh Welding and Austria’s Wire and Cable Machinery Builders (WiCa).
For more details, contact Mike or Mark Mathiasen at tel. 860-873-1423, mmi@mathiasen-machinery.com.
Allied Wire & Cable holds official opening ceremony for its new office and warehouse
Allied Wire & Cable (AWC), a family-owned and operated specialty manufacturer and distributor of electrical wire, cable, tubing, and accessories, celebrated the opening of a new warehouse and office in Grapevine, Texas.
A press release said that the investment was made to accommodate rapid expansion within the industry as a whole and to accelerate growth in the region. AWC acquired The Wire Connection, a distributor of Milspec, aviation and marine wire, and immediately began plans for this new site, a 35,000-sq-ft warehouse that is stocked full of wire and cable and several value-added service machines.
The new site complements AWC’s other U.S. warehouses in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona and Florida supporting growth and best-in-class service to customers. “The decision to expand our presence into Texas was a strategic step in our business growth strategy,” said AWC CEO Al Pape. “We’re based just outside of Philadelphia, but have many warehouses in other locations across the country. By including a warehouse in Grapevine, Texas, we are able to guarantee access to a larger inventory and offer rapid shipping to our customers.”
Allied Wire & Cable staff inside the company’s newest location. Photo courtesy of AWC.
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The release said that with the full integration of the two organizations now complete, customers can now expect to see increased availability, faster fulfillment, and broader product offerings. “We have the opportunity to further expand staffing and capabilities in our value-added services and customer support departments, as well as increase our ability to service current and future markets.”
AWI celebrates 75 years, continues its legacy of technology investment
U.K.-based Alloy Wire International (AWI), which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary, reports that it has completed a £100,000 technology investment.
AWI, which manufactures round, flat and profile wire for more than 5,000 customers, was founded in 1946 by John Stockdale in an old ambulance station in Old Hill in the Black Country. The employee-owned company has two factories that produce precision wire in sizes from 0.025 mm (.001 in.) to 21 mm (.827 in.) in small batches and medium volumes. It has approvals to AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 13485.
A press release said that the high-performance alloys manufacturer recently completed a £100,000 investment in a new testing room at its West Midlands, U.K. factory. The site includes two tensile testers, a Micro-Vickers Hardness tester and four lab furnaces to support heat treatment. It has also acquired macro and micro imaging technology and a custom-built metallographic lab to help with the preparation of materials.
The project allows a lot of sub-contract testing to now be done in-house, shortening lead times for its global customer base and giving it the opportunity to test new processes and materials quickly. The project took more than six months, and has already provided a return.
“We were increasingly asked for more testing as our customers strive for exacting performance from the materials they purchase,” said AWI Technical Director Andrew Du Plessis. “What this means to our clients is that we will have far greater control over testing and, I have no doubt, this will reduce lead times for them. We’ve also improved our image analysis capability through the purchase of new micro and macro imaging systems, allowing micro-graphic examination up to 1,000x magnification. This will significantly boost our R&D activity, so we can continue to bring new materials and services to market.”
The company also recently completed an update of its website (www.alloywire.com) so that it uses more motion and interaction, sets clearer paths for users to navigate to the most relevant information and offers an informative resource for anyone with questions about high-performance exotic alloys. n
