The Interwire trade exposition held in Atlanta from May 8-11, 2023, provided the perfect backdrop for two remarkable Chapter Board meetings which demonstrated commitment to growth, collaboration, and fostering the next generation of leaders.
Western Chapter. After an eight-year hiatus, the Western Chapter emerged from its slumber with a renewed sense of purpose. Committed volunteers from the region, including California and Texas, took the reins to form the new Western Chapter Board. Their primary objective: to revitalize the chapter, forge connections and promote the benefits of joining the vibrant wire industry.
The board used this in-person meeting opportunity to begin discussing the groundwork and layout. Essentially, a roadmap of what is needed to set their plans in motion. The first order of business is to build a strong member base, actively reaching out to professionals and organizations throughout the Western region. Emphasizing the power of networking, the board aims to create a dynamic platform where industry experts can exchange knowledge, establish meaningful connections, and foster collaborations.
Again, this is still the early stage, but it is an exciting one that will take time to develop, and the leadership roles in the Western Chapter will be defined as more progress is made.
As part of their revitalization efforts, the Western Chapter Board discussed hosting a small golf tournament in 2024. Stay tuned as details develop over the coming months. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Association’s Western Chapter at this time, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ohio Valley Chapter. The Ohio Valley Chapter focused on finalizing details for their highly anticipated golf tournament scheduled for August 24. Designed to provide participants with both enjoyment and educational value, the tournament will include three insightful sessions on industry trends, developments and best practices.
As a testament to their commitment to fostering future talent, the Ohio Valley Chapter continues work to unveil their new scholarship program, slated to launch in 2024. The chapter has developed an official criteria and eligibility sheet, which will be circulated among members soon.
Reported by WAI Membership Manager John Markowski
WAI News
The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports that INTERWIRE 2023 made a successful return to its biennial schedule at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, May 9-11. The exposition and conference engaged 3,184 wire and cable industry professionals representing 43 states and 42 countries at its first in-person showing since 2019.
Attendance included representatives from 285 wire and cable manufacturing operations.
Keynote presenters Srinivas Siripurapu, Chief Innovation and R&D Officer, Prysmian; and Rich Stinson, President and CEO of Southwire Co., drew much interest on May 9 and May 10, respectively, with their insights on an electrified future. At the Awards Ceremony Mr. Stinson received the inaugural WAI Champion Award, which honors an industry executive for his/her strong support of The Wire Association and its mission.
EXHIBITS
335 exhibiting companies participated at INTERWIRE to showcase the latest products and developed technologies available to wire and cable manufacturers; 80 product categories were represented. WAI introduced more than 30 new exhibiting companies to the INTERWIRE this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
Other features included two presentations by former astronaut Mary Ellen Weber sharing her experiences of space flight; as well as segments on Industry 4.0, the Workforce, Extrusion/Polymers, Industry Outlook; technical sessions; a Mordica lecture; and production solutions demonstrations. New for fun and networking this year were the Welcome Reception at Mercedes-Benz Stadium; the in-hall Beer Garden, sponsored by Rainbow Rubber; and the Cornhole Zone, sponsored by James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.
WAI’s popular Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course—offered as a pre-show option on May 8—had record-breaking attendance, engaging 209 participants.
Commenting on the activities 2023 WAI President Kurt Breischaft said, “Being back in Atlanta for Interwire this week has been awesome! Record attendance at our Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course underscores the continued need for the Wire Association International’s focus on education. Having technical experts willing to share with others is the heart of WAI.”
Interwire sponsors and support*:
Elite level: Encore Wire Corp.; James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.; Lloyd & Bouvier Inc.; Prysmian Group; Rainbow Rubber and Plastics Inc.; SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS; and Southwire Co. LLC.
Platinum level: Carris Reels Inc.; Davis-Standard LLC; Gem Gravure Co. Inc.; and Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp.
Gold level: SAMP Group and Sonoco Reels & Spools
Silver level: Enkotec Co. Inc.; Insteel Wire Products; The MGS Group; Niehoff Endex North America;
RichardsApex Inc.; SIKORA International Corp.; and Troester Machinery Ltd.
Bronze level: Baum’s Castorine; Fort Wayne Wire Die; and Precision Reel/Payoffs
* The Wire and Cable Industry Suppliers Association (WCISA) is an industry partner with WAI.
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 2,200 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 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.
Plans are still being finalized for the XI International WAI Poland Chapter Seminar, which is scheduled to be held Nov. 23-24, 2023, but some of the details are presented here.
Chapter President Jan Pilarczyk said the seminar is to be held at the METALURGIA Hotel in Radomsko. Notices are just going out for the event, which will see presentations and a discussion panel and dinner the first day, and paper presentations the second day.
Per the tentative schedule, the event begins Thursday, Nov. 23, with lunch, followed by the opening of the seminar that includes a welcome by a city official. Scheduled presenters at this point include: Robert J. Glodowski, The Evolving Technology of Steel Rod Manufacturing- A Personal Perspective, from 1:30 pm to 1:55 pm; Tom Moran, Development of a high-carbon wire that could be drawn to ultra high tensile strength 285, (a joint effort project by National Standard and Southwire), 1:55 pm to 2:20 pm; a presentation by Jan Krnac, 2:20 pm to 2:24 pm; and a coffee break followed by a session on coaching (business topic: leasing, business financing), from 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm.
A discussion panel—The condition of the steel industry in the era of political and economic destabilization in the post-Covid period and in the face of war in Ukraine— will be held from 3:45 pm to 6:30 pm. Subjects will include steel, raw materials, delivery, prices, media, photovoltaics, other RES, development prospects, creating new products, innovative economy, corporate social responsibility, industry 4.0, digitization /automation. Moderators will include Piotr Milewski, Adam Świerczyński and Piotr Pawlak (proposal of further moderators).
Dinner will follow at 7 pm, with awards presented to Krnac and Głodowski. On Friday, papers will be presented from 10 am to noon, followed by lunch. For more details go to www.msc.wip.pcz.pl and look for updates here in future issues.
The Wire and Cable Industry Suppliers Association® (WCISA®) and the Wire Association International are pleased to cooperate as Industry Partners at Interwire 2023, supporting the activities of each other’s association on behalf of the wire and cable industry.
Of note, the Industry Partnership agreement was reached five years ago. Its practical deployment, however, was sidelined at Interwire 2021 by Covid-19. Being able to fully resume that relationship at Interwire 2023 is a positive step.
The agreement relates to how the two associations can support each other’s efforts. It also is quite fitting, as WCISA serves member companies that are essential suppliers to the wire and cable industry. Many WCISA company employees are also members of the WAI.
“We are pleased to cooperate with the WAI as Industry Partners with the shared goals of supporting the wire and cable industry and our common members,” said WCISA President Drew Richards, CEO of RichardsApex, Inc. “Many WCISA companies are regular participants in WAI-produced exhibitions, Interwire and Wire Expo, and we look forward to supporting these events and networking with WAI leadership at our ‘WCISA Night Out’ gatherings.”
The 2023 WCISA Night Out for members will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday, May 8, at the Der Biergarten at 300 Marietta Street Northeast.
The WAI has honorary membership in WCISA, and among those looking forward to the event is WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. As he explains, a gathering of wire and cable professionals is always interesting. “I always see a lot
of familiar faces, and it almost feels like I’m at a WAI event. We both exist to further the wire and cable industry, and we do that in different ways, but it’s the same field, and the ability to hold a get-together like this to thank everyone for their participation, for helping make it all work, is a good way for everyone.”
Sam Otter, wire rope global procurement manager at Gripple Limited, said that his company was well aware of the scholarship as James Curry, a production team leader, served as the 2019 Wire Link Scholar. Also, the company has hosted visits from the U.S. Wire Link Scholar at its Sheffield plant that manufactures wire joining and tensioning devices.
A Gripple management team selected four employees who were involved with wire in their day-to-day job roles, and Otter, who joined the company 15 years ago, was chosen. “I felt on top of the world, and it’s given me a huge confidence boost. I feel honored that my colleagues put me forward for this award, and also that an external judge could see my passion and enthusiasm for Gripple, wire rope and my desire to get as much as possible from this great experience.”
Otter, age 33, said that he never attended an industry event like Interwire before, and looks forward to that experience as well as visiting industry companies. “I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge with the different seminars and also meeting new contacts that hopefully will turn into new suppliers for Gripple.”
WAI is reaching out again to technical paper authors to take part in two Association efforts this year in Italy and Mexico.
The timing is tight for Wire & Cable Milan 2023, which will be held Oct. 16, 2023, at the Palazzo Giureconsulti in Milan, Italy. For Milan, the abstract deadline is Feb. 28. If that date is a concern, authors can contact WAI staff for a possible extension. Acceptance notifications will be sent March 31, and the manuscript deadline is July 31.
The event is being put on with ACIMAF, the Italian wire machinery association, led by President Ferruccio Bellina, a long-time supporter of such efforts. WAI last held an event in Italy in Verona in 2019, with other events there in Milan (2013), Bologna (2007) and Stresa (2003).
The timing is better for WAI’s Mexico ITC, which will be held Nov. 13-15, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Monterrey, Mexico. It was last held at the same location in 2016, at which time it drew 190 participants. The WAI had held two prior ITCs in Monterrey (2008 and 2010), and one in Querétaro (2004). At all those events, WAI Past President Antonio Ayala served as a key volunteer and organizer.
For both events, the Association is seeking presentations on technical subjects, but also on topics such as sustainability, workforce issues, operating best practices or general business influences in the wire and cable industry.
For Monterey, the abstract deadlines is April 17. Notification will be made by May 22, and the manuscript deadline is Oct. 1. The program will include a presentation about market conditions in Mexico, Central America and South America
The Interwire trade exposition held in Atlanta from May 8-11, 2023, provided the perfect backdrop for two remarkable Chapter Board meetings which demonstrated commitment to growth, collaboration, and fostering the next generation of leaders.
Western Chapter. After an eight-year hiatus, the Western Chapter emerged from its slumber with a renewed sense of purpose. Committed volunteers from the region, including California and Texas, took the reins to form the new Western Chapter Board. Their primary objective: to revitalize the chapter, forge connections and promote the benefits of joining the vibrant wire industry.
The board used this in-person meeting opportunity to begin discussing the groundwork and layout. Essentially, a roadmap of what is needed to set their plans in motion. The first order of business is to build a strong member base, actively reaching out to professionals and organizations throughout the Western region. Emphasizing the power of networking, the board aims to create a dynamic platform where industry experts can exchange knowledge, establish meaningful connections, and foster collaborations.
Again, this is still the early stage, but it is an exciting one that will take time to develop, and the leadership roles in the Western Chapter will be defined as more progress is made.
As part of their revitalization efforts, the Western Chapter Board discussed hosting a small golf tournament in 2024. Stay tuned as details develop over the coming months. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Association’s Western Chapter at this time, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
It felt like old (better) times for the WAI’s New England Chapter, which held its annual meeting at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Montville, Connecticut, where 120 members and guests were able to mingle, recognize their new leaders, network, listen to an inspiring keynote speaker, get a keepsake photo, raise money for a good cause and just interact as the wire and cable industry does so well, given a chance.
The new officers for 2023 are President Jessica Foss, Electric Cable Compounds; Vice President Ryan Carbray, Alphagary; and Secretary Mike Roussel, Celanese Corp. The Past President is Mike Sarni, Insulated Wire, Inc.
Maxing out the capacity of the Mohegan’s Cabaret Theater, the gathering was akin to those held in pre-Covid times, enough that the Annual Dinner Committee will discuss other venue options within Mohegan for the 2024 meeting.
Speaking later, Jessica Foss, market development manager for Electric Cable Compounds, was pleased with the solid attendance, and observed that the chapter’s role continues to serve an important need. “Since I joined the industry, the Chapter has exemplified the tight knit community that is wire and cable. We certainly want the chapter to grow and have an even greater presence in the industry. To achieve this, we will continue to host events and programs that foster fraternity through networking and educational opportunities that offer an opportunity to expand one’s knowledge in a specific area. That includes getting to see other companies’ operations. I think it is also important that our annual events have a fresh feel each year.”
Keynote speaker Michelle Dray, creator of the “Getting Unstuck & Leading Fearlessly” program, presenting a different focus on personnel. Her 11-week program is designed for women, but she told attendees that it also applied to men. She explained the different signs of “career stuck-ness, and how they were different for industry newcomers (0-five years) or those who have been around longer, but also face plateau issues. Her message worked, and she had very good reviews.
The dinner itself was again well done. There was a review of chapter activity in 2022. As the society continues to adjust to life with Covid, the chapter’s annual golf tournament on Sept. 10 was a strong step forward to “normalcy,” with a maxed out field of 148 golfers at the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. The Oct. 25 tour of the RFS plant in Meriden saw some 50 members take part, touring the operations, followed by a dinner at a well-chosen restaurant steps away from the Connecticut River. As of Feb. 10, the chapter numbers 266 members, by far the largest WAI chapter.
The raffle continues to support the chapter’s scholarship program. For hockey fans in attendance, the grand raffle prize, sponsored by Lloyd & Bouvier, was a pair of golden ducats: two tickets to a Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs game. Gem Gravure Co., Inc., continued its legacy of generosity, providing tickets to Boston Red Sox games. The Mohegan Sun also donated two tickets to an Air Supply concert.
You didn’t have to win to walk away with a good memory as award winning photographer Ashley Abel worked a photobooth where attendees could get a free headshot or take a fun group photo with industry colleagues. Abel took the photos on this page.
Finally, a new concept suggested by golf committee chair Jim Evans, approved by the Chapter’s board, was introduced: a trophy for the winning team. It was presented to Proterial Cable America (formerly Hitachi America).
The ante may just have been upped some for bragging rights for the Sept. 11, 2023, golf
Tourney.
The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. announces details of its annual conference program, offered May 9-11 in conjunction with INTERWIRE at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Presentations include two keynote addresses; a featured speaker; focused sessions on Industry 4.0, the Workforce, and Extrusion/Polymers; Industry Outlook panel sessions; nine technical sessions; a Mordica lecture; and production solution demonstrations as outlined below. All are included with Conference and Exhibit registration.
WAI’s popular Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course is offered as a pre-show option on May 8 for those either new to the industry or in need of a refresher.
KEYNOTES
Srinivas Siripurapu, Chief Innovation and R&D Officer, Prysmian, delivers his keynote address on May 9: “Innovation, Investments & Incentives – Electrifying the wire and cable industry for a brighter future.”
Rich Stinson, President and CEO of Southwire Co. presents “The future is electrified!” on May 10.
FEATURED SPEAKER
Dr. Mary Ellen Weber, astronaut, executive, aviator, and scientist presents: “To boldly go: The experience of space flight” on May 10. Dr. Weber offers a second presentation that afternoon at the WAI Theater in exhibit Hall A titled: “A new era of space travel: Commercial space, NASA, tourism, the Moon, and Mars.”
INDUSTRY 4.0 SESSIONS
• “How AI will change wire & cable manufacturing,” Willem Sundblad, Oden Technologies.
• “The future of industrial work: How Smart AI is helping to unlock the true potential of today’s workforce,” Russ Fadel, Augmentir.
• “Unleashing the full potential of Industrial IoT with GPT-3,” Andrés Cartagena Ruiz, 40Factory.
• “Lessons from the journey to a connected enterprise, Will Berry, Sr. VP engineering and modernization, Southwire Co.
WORKFORCE SESSIONS
• “Behind the numbers…Establishing world class safety and training programs,” Rob Caillet, VP of environmental, health and safely, Encore Wire.
• “The state of the manufacturing workplace,” Matt Dionne, Managing partner, TYGES Executive and professional search firm.
• Executive panel: Adapting to the workforce challenges with senior industry leaders. Moderator Drew Richards, president RichardsApex; Panelists: Joe Barrett, president, Davis Wire; David Fisher, president, James Monroe Wire & Cable.
EXTRUSION/POLYMER SESSIONS
• “Advanced extrusion technology,” Mikko Lahti, R & D director, Maillefer Extrusion.
• “Polymer technology for wire and cable applications,” David Lindsay, market manager-energy, North America, Borealis.
• “What are you risking by using outdated controls on your extruder?”, Scott Barlow, CEO, Integrated Control Technologies.
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
• “Can the cable industry avoid the impending economic downturn?” Aisling Hubert, editor, CRU.
• Executive Panel – “Steel Market.”
• Executive Panel – “Copper Supply and Demand.”
Conference and Exhibit registration also includes presentations at the WAI Theater in exhibit Hall A, featuring:
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
• “In-situ evaluation of the performance of wire drawing using multiple sensors.”
• “The future of industrial work - How Smart AI is helping to unlock the true potential of today’s workforce.”
• “Inline surface dimensional flaw detection and outer diameter/ovality measurements using laser line triangulation.”
• “Manufacturing high-quality fine copper wire at a low cost by combining three-roll rolling and wire drawing.”
• “Application of polymer lubricants to replace zinc phosphate in wire drawing.”
• “Thermo-mechanical and air patenting in modern rolling: characteristics and advantages.”
• “Achieving high quality in wire using eddy current testing.”
• “Inline profiling of magnet wires for e-mobility.”
• “UPCAST oxygen free copper rod metallurgy, OFHC/OFE wire manufacturing, and other practicalities.”
MORDICA LECTURE
Presentation by Dr. Bruce Kiefer, “Ferrous rod – Before it gets to be wire.”
PRODUCTION SOLUTION DEMONSTRATIONS
Manufacturing challenges and common process hurdles are reviewed at these live demos offered May 10 and 11 featuring:
• “Factors affecting wire production from precoats to lubricants.”
• “Wire breaks.”
• “Wire drawing die material and profile specification considerations.”
EXHIBITS
300 exhibiting companies participate at the INTERWIRE marketplace to showcase the latest products and developed technologies available to wire and cable manufacturers; 80 product categories are represented. WAI introduces more than 30 new exhibiting companies to the INTERWIRE this year.
Conference and exhibit schedule, details, and registration information is available on the event website: www.interwire23.com.
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 more than 50 countries.
WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2000 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 the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo and publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.
WAI is returning to its technical mission, this year offering two international technical conferences (ITC): one in Italy and the other in Mexico. For each event, WAI has issued a Call for Papers.
Wire & Cable Milan 2023 will be held Oct. 16, 2023, at the Palazzo Giureconsulti in Milan, Italy. The event is being put on with ACIMAF, the Italian wire machinery association, led by President Ferruccio Bellina, a long-time supporter of such efforts. WAI last held an event in Italy in Verona in 2019, with other events there in Milan (2013), Bologna (2007) and Stresa (2003).
WAI’s Mexico ITC will be held Nov. 13-15, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Monterrey, Mexico. It was last held at the same location in 2016, at which time it drew 190 participants. The WAI had held two prior ITCs in Monterrey (2008 and 2010), and one in Querétaro (2004). At all those events, WAI Past President Antonio Ayala served as a key volunteer and organizer.
For both events, the Association is seeking presentations on technical subjects, but also on topics such as sustainability, workforce issues, operating best practices or general business influences in the wire and cable industry.
For Milan, the abstract deadline is Feb. 28. If that date is a concern, authors can contact WAI staff for a possible extension. Acceptance notifications will be sent March 31, and the manuscript deadline is July 31.
For Monterey, the abstract deadline is April 17. Notification will be made by May 22, and the manuscript deadline is Oct. 1. The program will include a presentation about market conditions in Mexico, Central America and South America.
WAI to hold annual meeting at Interwire
At Interwire 2023, the Wire Association International will hold its annual meeting, a requirement of the Association’s bylaws.
WAI President Kurt Breischaft will preside over the meeting in the morning session on Tuesday, May 9. It will follow the Keynote presentation by Srinivas Siripurapu, the Chief Innovation Officer and R&D Officer for Prysmian.
The concise meeting will include a review of past and current activities, including the development of additional training education resources for the industry. The session will also include presentation of awards.
Following the annual meeting, at 10 am there will be a session on Industry 4.0, followed by a workforce session. Of note, the exhibit floor will also open at 10 am, and remain so through 5 pm, and again on Wednesday.
- The Ohio Valley Chapter President, Tom Maxwell, has drafted their scholarship program. The draft was reviewed internally by Association staff. The Chapter’s Board will soon meet to review and vote on this important piece, putting them one step closer to assisting college students. It is unlikely that the Chapter’s new scholarship program will be finalized in time to follow the 2023 timeline. Likely, this program will make its debut in January 2024, now less than a year away.
- The New England Chapter Annual Dinner took place Jan. 26th at Mohegan Sun. Registration increased from last year (up from 100 to 130). The event is sold out at maximum capacity for the space. Sponsorships increased from last year (up from 22 to 26). The hotel room block was maxed out. The wrap-up will be in the March issue, including the announcement of new board members.
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