The New England Chapter golf tournament on Sept. 9 saw a healthy field of 142 golfers view for top honors at the chapter’s annual event, held at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut, topping the 135 players that took part in 2023. In addition to the golfers, 15 attendees participated just for the awards program and dinner. The chapter’s scholarship program was also among the winners, with more than $2,000 being added to the cause.
At the end of what proved to be a glorious day for golf, the team from Gem Gravure Co. Inc. prevailed, It included company President Paul Gemelli and National Sales Manager Derek Olson and Schleuniger USA Director of Sales Micah Durham and Director of Technical Service Greg Douglas, who shot 10 under par.
“It was a terrific opportunity to catch up and network with so many friends of ours from this great industry, and to meet some new industry colleagues as well,” said Gemelli, who attributed the win with his longtime customers/teammates to consistent play with zero bogeys. “It felt great to bring home the trophy for the Gem team to see. Looking forward to defending our title next September!”
There was plenty of praise for the event, for the condition of the course, the way play largely moved along crisply and the networking opportunities that abounded both on the course and at the awards program. A key to making that happen was dependable cadre of volunteers. They were led by Web Industries’ Jim Evans, who for years has been a perennial whirlwind behind the scenes, along with numerous others. They were also supported by WAI staff.
“Kudos to everyone!” declared Tom J. Rosen, Wire & Cable Consulting, LLC. “It was a first class outing. Everyone really enjoyed themselves.”
“It is very clear that (it) was a great success!” declared Chapter President Ryan Caraway, Orbia/Alphagary. “Both of my guests stated it was the best one yet! My hat is off to you, Jim, WAI staff, and all Golf Committee volunteers!”
Premium sponsors for the event included: Carris Reels; Commission Brokers, Inc.; Electric Cable Compounds, Inc.; Fluorogistx; James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.; Joe Snee Associates; Lenze America; Lloyd & Bouvier, Inc.; M. Holland; The MGS Group; Rainbow Rubber; RichardsApex Inc.; Teknikor; W. Gillies Technologies LLC; Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp.; and Woodward Insurance.
Corporate Hole sponsors were: Amaral Automation; Cable Components Group; Fenton Group/WCMA; James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.; and Lloyd & Bouvier. Of note, James Monroe and Lloyd deserve “angel status” for their very generous donations.
WAI News
The New England Chapter will present an insightful experience on Nov. 7 when it continues its string of educational/networking events at the ACCEL Wire Drawing Plant in Cheshire, Connecticut.
The tour, which starts at 3:30 p.m., will present a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge wire drawing technology. Accel operates three vertically integrated factories in Connecticut and Indiana with nearly 500,000 sq ft of manufacturing space producing silver plated, nickel plated and tin plated copper and copper alloys for the wire and cable market. It also has a fourth plant, in Florida. The company serves fields that include aerospace, medical, telecom and industrial markets.
Following the tour, the chapter event will transition to nearby Viron Rondo Osteria for a networking dinner at 6 pm. There, participants can unwind and connect with industry peers over delicious Italian cuisine. Blending education with networking in a vibrant setting makes for a good combination, and it’s not too late to sign up.
Attendees of the chapter’s 2022 educational event got to tour the Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) plant in Meriden, Connecticut. That visit resulted in very positive reviews from members of the New England Chapter. The Oct. 25 tour saw some 50 chapter members and guests see the operations up close of RFS, which is a global designer and manufacturer of total-package solutions for wireless and broadcast infrastructure. The tour started with a half-hour presentation on the markets that the company serves, followed by the tour. After the tour concluded, everyone regrouped down the road at a restaurant that provided an enjoyable dinner experience just steps away from the Connecticut River.
The WAI, which just completed the first leg of an ambitious video-based education initiative (previous page) has notched a milestone for one of its earliest videos: topping 100,000 views on YouTube.
Posted Oct. 26, 2016, Extruder Screw Cleaning is a seven-minute video that details the process of cleaning an extrusion screw. The video was produced at the Nexans Energy USA plant in Chester, New York. See it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpBqVHq40-0
With eight months left to go, sales reports that the show floor for Interwire 2025 is 96% full, with all the large booth positions taken, and the discussion now turns to whether the exhibit space should be expanded at the Georgia World Congress Center.
At this point, there are 216 contracted companies representing some 300 companies that have accounted for about 92,000 sq ft of exhibit space. Of note, the list of exhibitors includes more than 120 companies that are based outside the U.S., including a strong showing from Turkey, which accounts for 16. There will also be extra interest in Interwire as it will be co-located again with the Global Continuous Casting Forum.
“We continue to get calls from companies that are interested in exhibiting, and we could open the floor plan more, so this is a good time,” said WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme. “Right now, there are no large booths available, but we could add them depending on interest we see.” She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Wire Association International (WAI) has completed production of its first in-house, video-based training course: Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy.
This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in WAI’s new online learning initiative and reflects its ongoing commitment to providing world-class educational resources to the wire and cable industry.
“This is the kind of project that the founders of WAI would truly appreciate,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “It embodies the goals of the people who originally formed the association to advance industry know-how by using a modern approach, one that is relevant to the electronic age we all live and work in. It will especially appeal to manufacturers that have new employees who are comfortable with this type of learning format.”
Each course has seven short videos, none lasting more than five minutes. Each module includes knowledge checks after each video. Upon completing a course, students receive a certificate of completion.
WAI is collaborating with a motion designer who specializes in manufacturing “explanation” videos. Each one will feature a blend of shop floor footage and animated segments that clarify complex concepts. Narration is done by a professional voiceover artist to ensure that the material is engaging and easy to follow.
Each module was developed under the guidance of primary and secondary subject matter experts to ensure the content is both accurate and relevant. A key person in the creation of the ferrous video course is steel industry veteran Anand Bhagwat, a WAI Past President (2005) who now serves as a metallurgical consultant. He worked closely with WAI Project Manager John Markowski, who leads the production team. “It’s been an amazing experience, and I’m confident that this program is going to be well received.”
With the production of this foundational course now complete, WAI is moving into the soft launch phase of its new Learning Management System (LMS). In addition to Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy, the soft launch will include 12 general manufacturing safety courses, Markowski said. During this phase, WAI is working closely with key opinion leaders across the industry to gather valuable feedback. This collaboration will ensure the platform is fully optimized before its official release.
Companies interested in participating in the soft launch and gaining early access to these courses are welcome to contact WAI’s Education Department. Industry feedback is an important factor to help deliver comprehensive and effective training content. For inquiries about the soft launch or to find out how to participate, contact WAI’s Education Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 203-458-4044.
Looking ahead, the full public launch of WAI’s online platform is scheduled for early 2025. As part of this launch, WAI will offer discounted access during the introductory period, allowing WAI members and non-members alike to experience the breadth of training available.
In addition to the Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy, WAI has begun production on the first of four planned extrusion training courses. The next course on deck will offer an overview of single-layer extrusion, providing critical insights for both new and seasoned professionals in the field. The first extrusion course is slated to be ready for the hard launch at the beginning of 2025, with the others closely behind.
Of note, while WAI is committed to providing this new video-training course, it will continue to stage the Association’s in-person day-long Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course. It will next be held at Interwire 2025.
The WAI’s Midwest Chapter has canceled its Sept. 30 golf tournament and plans are already underway for the event to return to the normal spring time slot in 2025.
The Southeast Chapter will be back at the Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, North Carolina, on Thursday, Oct. 10, for its tournament. Last year, 83 players took part in the chapter’s 22nd annual golf tournament. The winning TD Corp. team of Travis Card, William Godwin, Andrew Godwin and Paul Godwin finished at a very respectable 14 under par.
There’s still time to register at wirenet.org for either the tournament or dinner-only, and sponsorships.
There were two winners at the Ohio Valley Chapter’s Aug. 22 event: one was for the annual golf tournament at the Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio while the other was for a 12-round shoot off at a nearby gun range.
The winning golf team of Mark MacKimm, Rainbow Rubber & Plastics; Alex Lippincott, WCTI; Tim Gascoigne, G2 Materials; and Mike Dies, WCTI, shot 61, 10 under par, to grab top honors among the field of 44. The day was perfect for golf, and each player was given a ball from Steve Lebischak, president of Polara Golf, who spoke later about how and why his company’s Polara golf ball can self-correct and fly straight. That led to the chapter’s first most-accurate-drive contest for the first shot at the final hole, a par 5. Dave Rascati, Premier Wire Die, saw his ball jump off the club, correct its path and end up right on the rope just short of the 150 yard marker in the middle of the fairway. Rumor has it that he ordered five dozens balls.
Meanwhile, a small contingent, eight, spent two hours at the Training Range in nearby Austintown. It ended with an impromptu shoot off won by Brennan Mai from Hobart, using a gun borrowed from colleague Nick Heitkamps, who came in second (106-105).
“The gun range was a great networking event,” said Rick Bray, WAFIOS. “It was a great atmosphere. By the end of the morning we all had talked and joked together. I’m looking forward to shooting with the guys again next year. Without this event I may have never been met these gentlemen in the industry.”
Following both events, the educational program was held. Other presenters included Dave Brambert, president of Fifth Wave Manufacturing (AI in Manufacturing); Tim Moury, president/CEO of Vericheck Technical Services, and Technical Director Marco Degasperi (metal analyzing equipment and ISO17025 accredited training and services).
“I thought it was another great day with networking on the course and at the educational seminar,” said Stephen Wright, Blachford. “The speakers brought a wide range of knowledge that seemed to keep the audience engaged. For many people, this has become an annual event they look forward to every year.”
The WAI’s New England Chapter annual education event and networking dinner is set for Nov. 7 at the ACCEL International plant in Cheshire, Connecticut.
ACCEL will host a tour of the company’s wire-drawing plant from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. ACCEL has three vertically integrated factories in Connecticut and Indiana that make silver-plated, nickel-plated and tin-plated copper wire and copper alloys.
Following the tour, there will be a networking dinner at Viron Rondo Osrerio, which is also located in Cheshire. Tickets are $115 for chapter members and $130 for non members. Registration (vetted) can be made at www.wirenet.org.
The WAI’s Education Committee plays a pivotal role in advancing the professional development and technical knowledge of industry professionals, and its role has never been more important as the focus is on delivering an ambitious program that serves a defined need.
The committee, comprised of a diverse group of experts, oversees the creation and implementation of innovative training programs that cater to the evolving needs of the wire and cable industry. Chaired by Matt Miles of Southwire, with Erik Perks of Prysmian as vice chair, the education committee is instrumental in driving WAI’s educational initiatives. The committee includes representatives from leading companies and institutions, bringing a wealth of expertise to the table.
Currently, the committee is overseeing the development of WAI’s new online training platform, which is set to revolutionize industry education. This platform offers a growing library of video content, meticulously curated to provide professionals with accessible, high-quality training materials. From foundational courses to advanced technical sessions, the platform is designed to meet the diverse needs of industry members.
The committee also actively collaborates on in-person events, such as the Advanced Extrusion Workshop. This hands-on session will offer participants a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of extrusion processes, further showcasing the committee’s commitment to comprehensive education.
In addition to Miles and Perks, committee members include Brad Andrews of Condat Corp., Donald Dodge of Calmont Wire & Cable, Joseph Domblesky of Marquette University, Jason Giebfried of Paramount Die Co., Tracy Gooding of Mar-Mac Wire Inc.,
C. Richard Gordon of C. Richard Gordon Consulting, David Gzesh of Blachford Corp., Erik Macs of Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp., Richard Medoff of Ace Metal Inc., Isaac Muller of American Wire Group and Donald Neville of RichardsApex Europe Ltd.
Also, Dale Olp of A-1 Wire Tech Inc., Brian Parsons of Interstate Wire Co. Inc., Svet Pavlovsky of Blachford Corp., Horace Pops of Horace Pops Consulting, Cristian Rangel of Encore Wire Corp., Christopher Reeve of Insteel Wire Products, Matthew Reinoehl of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, Eric Wagner of Charter Steel and Bhaskar Yalamanchili of Gerdau Long Steel North America.
The WAI Executive Committee Liaison is Kurt Breischaft of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS and the staff liaison is John Markowski. To learn more about WAI’s education initiatives, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 203-458-4044.
The Wire Association International will present a new program—Advanced Extrusion Workshop—as part of the Association’s ever-evolving educational offerings at Interwire 2025.
Scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 9 am to noon, the exclusive workshop will be limited to 50 participants. The unique immersive learning experience is designed to build on the foundational extrusion principles introduced by Erik Macs of Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp during the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course on Monday.
The workshop will take place at Southwire’s campus in Carrollton, offering participants invaluable up-close learning with extrusion equipment, shifting from the traditional classroom setting to a more practical, equipment-focused environment. The workshop will feature breakout activities and group exercises, allowing participants to collaborate and apply concepts in a practical setting.
The session is not meant to be just a lecture but a dynamic learning experience. When participants return from Southwire they will go on organized group visits to key extrusion exhibitors on the Interwire show floor, where they can hear about the latest advances and engage directly with industry leaders.
The workshop will be co-taught by Rick Chamberlin, an extrusion veteran, Hawkins Consulting, LLC; and an expert from Southwire. They will ensure participants walk away with a deep understanding of advanced extrusion techniques and their practical applications.
Madison, Connecticut, USA – August 7, 2024 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports that to date 90% of its available INTERWIRE 2025 exhibit space has been contracted by 200 companies. The exhibition will be staged in Hall A of the Georgia World Congress Center, and open to visitors May 13-15, 2025. Companies interested in exhibiting can view available space at the event website: Interwire25.com. Contact WAI’s sales department: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
• Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. Leading off the conference, this full-day, essential primer on wire manufacturing processes will be held Monday, May 12, 2025. The course features a general track in the morning for all participants splitting into simultaneous ferrous and nonferrous tracks in the afternoon.
• Advanced Extrusion Workshop. WAI will debut this new dynamic program from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, that will build on the extrusion principles introduced in the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. Presented by Rick Chamberlain and a co-instructor, the workshop is designed to take participants to the next level of understanding and application. The workshop, which is limited to 50 participants, will include breakout sessions to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. The workshop will also include visits to exhibitors to witness extrusion machinery in action.
• Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF). This, WAI’s fourth forum for copper and aluminum continuous casting, will run May 12-15, 2025 in conjunction with INTERWIRE. The GCCF registration will include an Opening Reception on Monday, lunch and coffee breaks, a group dinner on Wednesday, and time to explore the INTERWIRE exhibit floor.
WAI will offer sponsorship opportunities for both the GCCF and INTERWIRE; contact WAI’s education department This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and sales department This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., respectively for details.
EVENT BACKGROUND: Introduced in 1981, INTERWIRE is the largest and longest-running wire and cable marketplace in the Americas. Hosted biennially, INTERWIRE is an international trade event that includes exhibiting companies, speakers, and visitors from around the world. WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2,000 individual members in 50 countries. The association serves the educational needs of the wire and cable manufacturing industry through a variety of products and services.
WAI manages the Interwire Trade Exposition and Wire Expo and publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.
Media Contacts: Janice E. Swindells, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-2777, x. 117; Steven J. Fetteroll, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-1777
Madison, Connecticut, USA – Aug. 1, 2024 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports plans to host its fourth Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) for copper and aluminum May 12-15, 2025, concurrently with INTERWIRE 2025 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The conference provides a forum for academics, researchers, metallurgists, and professionals to meet and exchange innovative ideas and information on all aspects of continuous casting. A welcome reception is planned on Monday, May 12, as is an attendee dinner on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The Association is currently accepting abstracts for review, a process that remains open until the October 2, 2024, deadline. Submitted presentations should align with one of the following tracks: General; Copper; Aluminum; Lubrication & testing; or Automation & safety. Welcome topics include:
• Casting technologies
• Electrical energy
• Global copper & aluminum markets
• Cost-saving opportunities
• Filtration concepts
• Molten metal
• Combustion Systems
• Furnaces
• Degassing
• Metal flow
• Refractories
• Aluminum & Copper Alloys
• Sustainability
Abstracts should be submitted at: bit.ly/WAIabstracts by October 2, 2024. Accepted authors will be notified by November 7, 2024. Final manuscripts are due February 13, 2025.
Sponsorships are available with details at: https://www.interwire25.com/conference/castingforum
For questions or to secure a sponsorship contact: WAI’s Education Department | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel.: 203-458-4044.
WAI’s Global Continuous Casting Forum committee members include: Chairman Chris Tucker, Encore Wire; Richard Baker, Cableforce Consulting; Kurt Breischaft, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS; John Hugens, Hugens Metallurgy & Combustion; Martin Lecours, Rio Tinto; Giuseppe Marcantoni, Properzi International Inc.; Juan Sanchez, Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc.; Janusz Sekunda, Prysmian; Patrick Slaughter, Southwire Co.; Florin Teglas, Nexans; and Rob White, Hazelett Strip-Casting Corp.
WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2,000 individual members in 50 countries. The association serves the educational needs of the wire and cable manufacturing industry through a variety of products and services. WAI manages the Interwire Trade Exhibition and Wire Expo and publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.
Media Contacts: Janice E. Swindells, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-2777, x. 117; Steven J. Fetteroll, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-1777.
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