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Wire Journal News

WAI News

Had any personnel changes the last few years? It’s a rare company that hasn’t either lost or added staff during the Covid period, and it’s not a bad idea to make sure that the industry knows who your key people are.

This is an ideal time to take a minute to look at the 2022 edition of the Wire Journal International Reference Guide and see whether you need to make some updates. Companies can now either enter or update their company profiles for the 2023 edition of the Wire Journal International Reference Guide and WAI’s online Industry Search.

New and updated entries, free, will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2022, for the printed publication. An instructional video on submitting a free listing is at wirenet.org: (www.wirenet.org/industry-search-instructional-video).

The WJI Reference Guide lists contact information for international manufacturers and suppliers to the wire and cable industry. Company listings include more than 1,100 product types.

Last modified on September 2, 2022

The WAI is seeking papers for Interwire 2023. Accepted papers will be presented at the event, to be held May 9-11, at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Papers are sought that address advances in the industry that fall under: Industry 4.0 trends, wire and cable making strategies, workforce insights and technical progress in all sectors. Abstracts are due Nov. 18, 2022, notice of acceptance is Dec. 2, 2022, and manuscripts are due March 3, 2023.

Abstracts can be submitted at https://goo.gl/svxgvq. Accepted authors receive a one-year WAI membership and complementary conference registration.

Last modified on September 2, 2022

With Interwire 2023 eight months away, the 80,000 sq ft of exhibit space allocated at the Georgia World Congress Center has been fully taken. WAI has established a “wait list” and will assign booths as space allows to accommodate the continuing influx of requests for exhibit space.

“It’s clear 2023 will be a great year for Interwire,” said WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme. “With the current strength of the industry, the reemergence of industry fairs and energy focused on trade events, new and returning Interwire exhibitors were quick to book their exhibit space. We want to accommodate every company that submits a request to exhibit.”

Exhibitors interested in contracting booth space for Interwire should visit this site—https://www.interwire23.com/exhibitor-information/become-an-exhibitor—and submit their contract. Interwire 2023 will be held May 9-11, 2023.

While Interwire 2021 was not able to be held because of Covid, WAI presented a Virtual Industry 4.0 Conference that did not serve as a replacement for the Atlanta show, but offered presentations from three companies (Southwire, Prysmian and Charter Steel) on Industry 4.0, which was to have been a focus at Interwire.

Last modified on September 2, 2022

WAI’s Ohio Valley Chapter is working with the Association to establish a scholarship program that will start in 2023.

The program will be fueled by proceeds from the Chapter’s annual golf tournament. The scholarship program will follow the same format and schedule as the other three chapters (New England, Southeast and Midwest) that have existing scholarship programs, also funded by their golf tournaments.

The initiative is still in the planning stage, and more news about this will be presented in future issues.

Last modified on September 2, 2022

WAI’s New England Chapter will hold an educational program on Tuesday, Oct. 25, that will include a plant tour followed by a networking reception and dinner.

The chapter’s Annual Regional Education Program will include discussions and a guided plant tour of Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) in Meriden, Connecticut. Check-in at RFS is at 3 pm, and the tour begins at 3:30 pm. There later will be a networking reception and dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant and Bar in Wethersfield, Connecticut.

The event is limited to 50 attendees, and registration will close on Oct. 25. A wait list will be available once the event is full. The cost for the event is $125 for non-WAI members, with a $25 discount for WAI New England Chapter members.

Last modified on September 2, 2022

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The Southeast Chapter’s Scholarship Committee has reported the names of its four scholarship winners, each of which will get $1,800.

Andres Marcelo Galindo Batocletti is the son of Juan Galindo, vice president, product management, at Southwire Company. He will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where he will major in chemical and biomolecular engineering.

Penelope Grapsas is the daughter of Constantine Grapsas, president of AIM Inc. She will attend American University in Washington, DC, where she will major in international relations and policy.

Dylan Roulaine is the son of Scott Roulaine, director of modernization, Southwire Company. He will attend the University of Alabama, where he will major in industrial engineering.

Duy (Kevin) Vo is the son of Loc Vo, senior electrical engineer, Honeywell. He will attend the University of Missouri Kansas City, where he will major in engineering.

Last modified on September 2, 2022

Madison, Connecticut, USA – August 24, 2022 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc., host of the biennial Interwire trade exposition and conference, reports that the 80,000 sq. ft. of available exhibition space is currently fully contracted compelling the organizer to pursue expansion to accommodate additional exhibitors.

The event is slated to run May 9-11, 2023, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.

WAI established a ‘wait list’ and will assign booths as space allows to accommodate the continuing influx of requests for exhibit space.

Commenting on the process, WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme said “It’s clear 2023 will be a great year for Interwire. With the current strength of the industry, the reemergence of industry fairs, and energy focused on trade events, new and returning Interwire exhibitors were quick to book their exhibit space. We want to accommodate every company that submits a request to exhibit.”

Exhibitors who are interested in contracting booth space for Interwire should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for their renewal code or visit https://www.interwire23.com/exhibitor-information/become-an-exhibitor and submit their contract. 

Developing details are shown on the event website: www.Interwire23.com.

The Wire Association International is a not-for-profit association with 1,800 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 the WAI Operations Summit & 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.

Last modified on August 24, 2022

8/2/2022 -  

The 2022 staging of wire Düsseldorf proved to be good for both organizers, Messe Düsseldorf and the Wire Association International, which saw impressive sales for exhibit space at Interwire 2023.

At the end of the June 15 points meeting at WAI headquarters, approximately 65,000 sq ft of exhibit space had been taken. By the end of wire Düsseldorf, 13 more companies had signed up for 9,700 sq ft of floor space at the Atlanta show.

The larger booths included: Honta, 1,500 sq ft; Steel Cable Reels, 800 sq ft; Kabmak, 1500 sq ft; Cimteq, 400 sq ft; Microdia, 800 sq ft; and Frekans Makina SAN, 2100 sq ft. An additional 4,800 sq ft has been taken since wire Düsseldorf, and as of July 19 the total reserved space was 76,400 sq ft.

Other exhibitors have indicated that they too plan to secure a booth, but have not finalized their plans. “Given the timing of the points meeting this year, situated between Wire Expo, WAI’s first trade show since 2019, and wire Düsseldorf taking place the following week, we were happy with the exhibitor response. We are working to accommodate continued requests for space and will likely expand the floor plan to do so,” said WAI Director of Sales Shannon Timme, who along with Sales Manager Gina Guzowski were busy meeting exhibitors at the event. She added that Honta, Kabmak and Frekans all plan to bring equipment to Interwire.

The floor plan shows the Interwire floor plan at this time. The blue shaded booths are still available, and companies that want to exhibit can go to the event website, www.interwire23.com for the latest update.

Companies interested in a booth can contact Timme at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Guzowski at gguzowski@wirenet.

Last modified on August 1, 2022

8/2/2022 -  

Three chapter golf tournaments are set for September, and registration has been reported strong for all of them as the lure of greens (and bragging rights) call out to players.

Of note, it could be harder to just show up the day of an event as spots are limited and filling fast, so it would be wise to register now. Sponsorship opportunities still exist for each golf tournament, so companies that would like to support their local chapter by either a skills contest or raffle prizes should contact them. Finally, it’s hard to believe, but not everyone is a golfer at heart. Those who would like to enjoy the day but do not want to play are welcome to register for the dinner only and partake in the networking and camaraderie.

First up is the New England Chapter, which will stage its 28th Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner on Monday, Sept. 12, at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) has set Sept. 22 as the date for its annual golf tournament, which will also include an educational program, all to be held on the same day.

OVC 2022 will again be held at The Kennsington Club in Canfield, Ohio, which the chapter has used multiple times. Tentative guest speakers include: Ed Harrington of Strecker USA, who will discuss butt welding complexities and solutions; Jeff Danaher of Abbott Furnace, who will discuss annealing problems and practices; Jim Miller of Scientific Forming Technology, who will discuss applications of the DEFORM system in drawing process simulation.

OVC will start at 7 am with a shotgun start, followed at 2 pm with dinner and the educational program, then the awarding of golf prizes. The night before, Sept. 21, there will be a networking evening at the Kennsington Grill. Contact John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Dave Rascati, 260-750-5736, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On Thursday, Sept. 22, the Southeast Chapter will hold its annual golf tournament & dinner at the Rock Barn Country Club in Conover, North Carolina. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The September issue will have more details on the tournaments. Registration for all of these golf tournaments is now open at the Association’s online registration system at www.wai.configio.com.

Last modified on August 1, 2022

8/2/2022 -  

Earlier this year, WAI Midwest Chapter Scholarship Committee considered nine applicants for its scholarship program, and chose three, each of whom will receive $1,500. The winners are listed below.

Chloe Ruelle, the daughter of Stéphane Ruelle, operations manager, Condat Corp., is a junior at Michigan State University. She is majoring in special education.

Sarah Skolozynski, the daughter of Stephen Master, general manager, Spring & Wire Form Co., is a freshman at the University of Notre Dame. She is majoring in environmental sciences.

Fiona Wehrle, the daughter of Jay Wehrle, engineering manager, Fort Wayne Metals, plans to attend Purdue University (West Lafayette). She will major in chemical engineering.

Last modified on August 1, 2022

7/2/2022 - The Midwest Chapter reports that its annual golf tournament was a day to remember for the field of 68 golfers competing for bragging rights on Wednesday, June 1, at the St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois.

Kevin Sopczak of Liberty Steel, who heads the logistics for the golf tournament, said that the annual golf tournament had been sorely missed as the last two events were not able to be held, “courtesy” of Covid-19, the ultimate scourge and spoilsport. “It was a great day, and everything went off without issue. The day was cloudy, with a high of about 70 degrees, with no rain. It was a picture perfect day for golf.”

The return to the links was warmly greeted. “This was my first WAI Midwest Chapter outing and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said John Hauerwas, heating and heat treating product manager, Radyne Corporation. “My playing companions were pleasant and interesting to be with, some good networking took place and the course, food and hospitality were also good.”

Claiming bragging rights with a winning low score of 64 was the Lake Cable team of Jack Rosenthal, Justin Albright, Dan Pelzel and Fabian Arias. Other challenge winners included: Closest to the Pin, Hole #7, Jack Rosenthal (Lake Cable), Hole #12 Justin Albright (Lake Cable) and Hole #15, Jim DeGrado (Worth Steel); Longest Drive, Hole #2, Jon Singer (Transend Logistics), Hole #14, Dan Pelzel (Lake Cable) and Hole #17, Mike Krueger (Traxit); and Accurate Drive, Hole #11, Rick Fisher.

Sopzak also thanked the sponsors for the event, which included the following. Longest Drive: Chemetall, Worth Steel & Machinery, Suzuki-Garphyttan, Micro Wire & Bar; Closest to the Pin: Chemetall (2 holes) and Leggett & Platt; Accurate Drive: Central Wire; and Corporate Hole Sponsors: Ivaco Rolling Mills, Omni Source, Precision Die Technologies, Charter Steel, Redline Metals, Suzuki-Garphyttan, D & S Wire, Fort Wayne Wire Die and Lake Michigan Metals.

The Midwest Chapter event continues to be a key fundraiser for the body’s scholarship program.

Last modified on July 2, 2022

7/2/2022 - The Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) has set Sept. 22 as the date for its annual golf tournament, which will also include an educational program, all to be held on the same day.

OVC 2022 will again be held at The Kennsington Club in Canfield, Ohio, which the chapter has used multiple times. Tentative guest speakers include: Ed Harrington of Strecker USA, who will discuss butt welding complexities and solutions; Jeff Danaher of Abbott Furnace, who will discuss annealing problems and practices; Jim Miller of Scientific Forming Technology, who will discuss applications of the DEFORM system in drawing process simulation; Brian Rajotte of OEE Data-Watch, who will discuss automation controls with data acquisition systems; B.J. Austin of Ebner Furnaces, who will discuss furnace issues and solutions; and Tim Moury of Verichek, who will discuss material testing equipment and technology.

Contact John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Dave Rascati, 260-750-5736, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The other two chapter golf tournaments will also be held in September. Up first is the New England Chapter, which will stage its 28th Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner on Monday, Sept. 12, at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On Thursday, Sept. 22, the Southeast Chapter will hold its annual golf tournament & dinner at the Rock Barn Country Club in Conover, North Carolina. Contact: John Markowski, 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The August issue will have more details on all the tournaments. Registration for all of these golf tournaments is now open at the Association’s online registration system at www.wai.configio.com.

Last modified on July 2, 2022

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