WJI Apr 2018 Feature Sample

WIRE JOURNAL APRIL 2018

®

INTERNATIONAL www.wirenet.org

WIRE EXPO 2018

SHOW PREVIEW

CONFERENCE: MAY 14-16 E X H I B IT S : M A Y 1 5 - 1 6

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WIRE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL

WIRE EXPO 2018

WAI returns to Nashville from May 14-16 to stage its Operations Summit and Wire Expo 2018, an industry forum that combines exhibits, education and networking opportunities in an engaging setting. In some respects, it is similar to the one that was held there in 2000, but just as the industry has evolved, so has this event, which has a far greater focus on operations.

The event at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center begins on Monday, May 14, with the day-long Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing program that will feature 12 sessions. This year will see a new topic, used machinery, presented by Erik Macs of Wire & Plastic Machinery. Attendance for this element has topped well over a hundred in recent years, and while it could be the scope of the presented industry expertise, the biggest factor likely is that the industry has been stretched by many retirements. A slew of WAI bodies will also hold meetings there, while the Board of Directors meeting will be at Mid-South Wire.

The main schedule begins on Tuesday, May 15. The exhibits open, with more than 150 companies represented on the show floor. The Conference Sessions begin with the keynote address by former Navy Seal Curt Cronin, followed by a welcome and industry update by Mid-South President John T. Johnson. The sessions that follow range from employee engagement and automation for continuous manufacturing quality to

It’s an Encore speaker encore! Above, Encore Wire CEO Daniel Jones presents the Mordica Lecture at Wire Expo 2016. This year, retired Encore Wire executive Gary Spence will present the Mordica Lecture.

CONFERENCE: MAY 14-16 EXHIBITS: MAY 15-16

Table of Contents Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Conference Planning Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

advantages of digital manufacturing and deployGeneral Program/Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 ing Intellectual Property. The first two of three New & Noteworthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 “Ask the Expert” hours will be manned, and that night will see the Welcome Reception, the Nashville/Gaylord Opryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 single largest event get-together. It will be held Nissan Plant Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 on Delta Island, which is located in the heart of the Gaylord property.

WAI Member Rewards & Annual Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . 50 The WAI Member Rewards Breakfast, Annual Meetings and the Mordica Lecture President’s Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 by retired Encore Wire executive Gary Spence— Mordica Memorial Award Winner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 who was the driver to the creation of the WAI Global Continuous Castng Forum—will lead into Donnellan Memorial Award Winner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 the second full day on Wednesday, May 16. Those Welcome Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 elements will be followed by the Manufacturing Management Workshop: Perfecting Your LeaderEvent Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 ship Qualities, presented by Ed Krow of TurboExecs WAI Life/25-Year Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 LLC. The exhibits also continue, and the area will host Education Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 the staging of Production Solutions on the show floor Conference Sessions at a Glance . . . . . . . . . .62 as well as the final leg of ask “Ask the Expert.” See the Show Program for exact locations. And for those whose Fundamentals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 schedules allow a “stretch,” on Thursday, May 17, there is a plant tour of the Nissan assembly plant in Smyrna, WAI Operations Summit/ Tennessee.

Conference Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Schedule-wise, it’s a relatively short stay, but it looks to be Production Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 memorable on multiple levels for attendees. And to see what it was like in 2000, a series of images start on p. 119.

Floor Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Alphabetical/Numerical List of Exhibitors . . . . . . . . . . .75 Preview of Exhibits. . . . . . 80 Product Directory. . . . 120

It wasn’t held on an exclusive island, but the Welcome Reception at Wire Expo 2016 was a most festive occasion

APRIL 2018 | 39