Hellenic Cables has won the contract to design, manufacture, transport, and install a package of four 220 kV HVAC export cables to connect the Baltyk II and Baltyk III wind farms in the Polish Baltic Sea to shore.
A press release said that the project—developed by the joint venture of Equinor and Polenergia, Baltyk II and Baltyk III—will each have a capacity of 720 MW and connect to the onshore grid via a total of four HVAC submarine cables with a combined length of 256 km.
Baltyk II and Baltyk III will be two of the first operational offshore wind farms in Poland, supporting the country in its transition to renewable energy. Hellenic Cables is part of a consortium that includes the De Nul Group, which will install them.
“We are proud that Equinor and Polenergia have awarded us to install the export cables for these 2 important Polish projects and their recognition of the combined capabilities of Jan De Nul and Hellenic Cables,” said Wouter Vermeersch, Manager Offshore Cables at Jan De Nul Group.
The companies will execute the connection of the two Baltyk wind farms to shore in 2026. The design and manufacture of the HVAC cables will be performed at Hellenic Cables’ plant in Corinth, Greece.
Lake Cable, a fourth-generation U.S. wire and cable manufacturer, celebrated the official opening on Oct. 16 of the company’s newest expansion: an existing 180,000-sq-ft building formerly owned by bearings manufacturer Regal Beloit that is located adjacent to its plant on Evans Avenue in Valparaiso, Indiana.
“Lake Cable is very proud to be a member of the great Valparaiso community,” said Lake Cable CEO Bill Runzel, who was joined by Valparaiso, state and other leaders in celebrating the opening of the company’s newest facility. “This new facility allows Lake Cable to continue to expand our successful industrial power insulated cable business.”
Runzel noted that since Lake Cable started its plant in Valparaiso in 2013, the operation has grown to 368,000 square feet under roof and nearly 200 employees. In the last two years, the company has invested more than $7.5 million in new equipment, and it will be installing new production lines and hiring more people from the Valparaiso community in the next few years.
The company had long been interested in the Regal Beloit building, which was closed, but it had only become available a while ago. It was in good shape, and the extra capacity it will offer Lake Cable makes it a sound addition.
Established in 1995, Lake Cable has more than 620 employees throughout its five locations in Indiana and Illinois. Lake Cable manufactures UL listed low voltage electronic, industrial, utility, custom OEM and broadcast quality cable.
Lake Cable also believes in giving back to charities such as MS and pediatric cancer, by actively supporting a wide range of fund-raising events over the years. Some of those include the Veterans Airlift Command, the Runzel Brothers Spring Shoot and MuckFest MS Chicago.
Cabopol Polymer Compounds (Cabopol), a Portuguese supplier of thermoplastic and crosslinked compounds, announced that it is expanding its global presence with a new production unit in Monterrey, Mexico.
A company spokesman said that the new plant, which will cover some 10,000 sq m, is located in the heart of Monterrey’s industrial zone. It is expected to be operational by year’s end, at which time it will represent the company’s first compounding production in the Americas.
A press release said that the plant will use the latest technology and equipment to produce high-quality polymer compounds at a competitive cost. It will start with two production lines with annual capacity of 25,000 tons and be able to expand that to meet its commitment to growth and innovation in the polymer industry.
The new production unit will initially focus on supplying compounds for the wire and cable industry, with a specific emphasis on serving the automotive sector. The new capacity will improve supply chain efficiency and reduce lead times for customers in the Mexican and American markets. Future plans include expanding offerings to provide solutions for a broader range of industries. “In the first stage, we will supply Mexican clients, but we are looking forward to develop the market all along South and Northern American potential customers.”
The press release said that this initiative “will pave the way for our expansion in this region.” It notes that it follows the successful operations of company production units in Serbia, Morocco and Portugal. Cabopol Sales Director Anselmo Mendes said that the Monterrey plant “marks a pivotal moment for (us). ... We are excited to better serve our customers and contribute to the growth of the local economy.”
Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA recently opened its second manufacturing plant in Denton, Texas, USA, with an opening ceremony attended by a range of elected officials as well as customers, suppliers and shareholders.
A press release said that the completed first phase of the new Denton plant increases Madem-Moorecraft total current production capacity by 50% (150 truckloads of kits/month). Next year, phase two will be completed, providing an additional 50% capacity increase. The total investment will top $14 million and create more than 100 jobs. Madem-Moorecraft currently supplies wood and plywood reels to 42 cable manufacturing plants in the U.S.
Marcos Conde Ramalho, president of Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA, said that the new plant represents the company’s most advanced industrial engineering project. “This manufacturing system is made up of innovative machinery, and brings pride to the Madem-Moorecraft team and Madem Group worldwide. It all has been designed to deliver unparalleled wooden and plywood reel experience to the North American cable industry.”
“The Denton team is very excited for the future of this facility. We could not have done this without the support from the Tarboro North Carolina team and the Madem Group team in Brazil!” said Josh McCoy, general manager of Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA.
Expanding the assembly and distribution network is a key to the company’s future, said Stephen J. Redhage, vice president and general manager. “Having two manufacturing plants provides that foundation.”
The Madem Group is a world leader in wooden reel manufacturing, supplying more than 200 cable manufacturers in some 45 countries. It has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, USA, Spain and Bahrain.
A joint venture between NKT HV Cables AB—part of the NKT Group—and Walsin Lihwa recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a submarine cable plant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The factory will produce high- and medium-voltage AC offshore power cables, mainly for the Taiwanese offshore wind market.
A press release said that the JV, to be called Walsin Energy Cable System Co., Ltd., is expected to be completed in 2025, and fully operational in 2027, at which time it will be Taiwan’s first such cable plant. Located in the Phase One area of the Kaohsiung Intercontinental Container Terminal, the submarine cable plant will have a site area of 233,888 sq m and 59,828 sq m of building area. The plant will produce high-voltage export and inter array cables for offshore wind turbine power generation.
The partnership pairs the resources of the NKT Group, which has advanced submarine cable technologies, with Walsin Lihwa, an industrial conglomerate whose production includes a wide range of power cables and wire. Established in 1966, Walsin Lihwa Corporation has more than 10,000 employees across Taiwan, China, USA, Italy, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is based in Taipei, Taiwan.
“Local production ensures a steady supply of submarine cables, a critical component for the development of offshore wind power generation industry, and of strategic importance to Taiwan’s grid resilience,” said Walsin Lihwa Chairman Yu-Lon Chiao, who observed that the collaboration “marks a significant milestone in the development of Walsin Lihwa’s power cable business. Together, we intend to establish close relationships with our key customers, Taiwan wind power developers, as a preferred supplier of high quality and price competitive submarine cables.”
Will Hendrikx, COO and Deputy CEO of NKT, said that the company is honored to be a partner in the project. “With Walsin being a reputable and strong cable maker, combined with NKT’s experience in submarine cables, we see a great opportunity to establish a local champion for submarine cable production.”
Iowa Spring acquires Northeast SpringIowa Spring has acquired Northeast Spring of Reading, Pennsylvania, a family owned-and-operated business that has supplied custom-made springs for more than 25 years.
A press release said that the acquisition, which closed Sept. 15, expands Iowa Spring’s growing presence as the premier supplier of precision-made springs for the overhead door, construction, agriculture, and recreational equipment industries across the globe.
“I am so proud to be able to offer a place for Northeast Spring’s legacy to continue,” said Iowa Spring CEO Tim Bianco. Northeast Spring primarily serves the overhead door industry, with operations at its headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania, and its facility in Villa Rica, Georgia. The company name and management team will remain intact with founder John O’Leary remaining onboard for the next three years.
Northeast Spring makes custom springs from .080 to .625 wire range including 302/304 stainless steel, music wire, chrome silicon, oil tempered wire and hard drawn wire.
“With so many spring companies being acquired by large private equity groups, it was essential to me to find a like-minded buyer that could be trusted to keep our team intact and who could uphold our company’s legacy and reputation,” O’Leary said. “Our team has worked tirelessly for more than two decades to build a highly respected company that is focused on family values, quality and integrity. Iowa Spring is a perfect match.”
Iowa Spring President & CEO Tim Bianco will oversee operations of Northeast Spring in addition to its three existing facilities: the original Iowa Spring facility, its recent 55,000-sq-ft nearby expansion facility, and its sister company, Southern Atlantic Spring, in Granite Quarry, North Carolina. The companies’ combined capabilities will position the Iowa Spring group to provide a wide depth and breadth of high quality, custom manufactured springs while maintaining a “customer-centric” focus, he said.
Madison, Connecticut, USA – October 20, 2023 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports that 275 wire and cable industry delegates met at Milan’s historic Palazzo Giureconsulti on October 16, 2023, for a one-day wire and cable technical conference of collaboration innovation. The event was jointly organized by WAI and ACIMAF, the Association of Italian Wire Machine Manufacturers.
Industry experts covered ferrous and nonferrous topics during concurrent tracks, with notable speakers from 24 companies providing the best practices in wire drawing technology and timely information on industry 4.0 and market conditions.
Throughgout the day representatives from 27 companies discussed business at their tabletop exhibits in the supplier forum.
Ferruccio Bellina, an organizer and ACIMAF president, said, “A great commitment and a winning collaboration between ACIMAF and WAI led to an unprecedented success of the Wire & Cable conference ... A success that we wish to share with all the participants and sponsors who joined this important event, which saw the presence of delegates coming to Milan from over 30 countries.”
WAI’s 2023 President Kurt Breischaft, who served as a moderator for the nonferrous track, said “I think the nonferrous session fit together extremely well. The first speaker from Prysmian explained how cables need to become more sustainable, with the second and third speakers (La Farga and Continuus-Properzi) explaining how copper and aluminum can be processed to meet these requirements.”"
The Gala Dinner at Milan’s grand Palazzo Serbelloni provided a chance for additional networking at the close of the conference.
Sponsors and support
The organizers wish to thank the following organizations:
- Continuus-Properzi ; SAMP; SAS Engineering and Planning; TKT Group
- The International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA); Messe Düsseldorf North America; MFL Group; DRT Impianti
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation / gov.it; and The Italian Trade Agency (ITA).
- Official Media partners: Expometals; Wire Journal International, Inc.; and Tecnologie del Filo.
ORGANIZERS:
ACIMAF was founded in Brescia, Italy, in 1987 for the purpose of promoting the image of Italian technology in the field of machines and products for the wire and cable manufacturing industry. It is a non-profit voluntary association and plays an important International role of cooperation in improving the location and organisation of the major wire and cable trade fairs.
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 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.
India’s STL (Sterlite Technologies Ltd.) announced the official launch of its new manufacturing facility in Lugoff, South Carolina, a $56 million investment that will serve the growing demand for optical fiber cable.
A press release said that the 168,000-sq-ft factory—referred to as the “Palmetto Plant,” after the state tree— represents STL’s commitment to “Made in America.” It is the company’s first such manufacturing plant in the U.S., employing more than 150 people. The site was inaugurated by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, and lauded by STL Managing Director and Whole Time Director Ankit Agarwal.
Paul Atkinson, CEO of STL’s Optical Business Division, told WJI that the project—which had not been previously announced—is STL’s first such production site in the U.S. The company, he noted, has been serving the U.S. market for many years through its global production facilities, with some local value add in the years past.
“This facility mirrors our ethos and STL’s larger purpose: Transforming Billions of Lives by Connecting the World,” Atkinson said. “I am excited to see its impact on America’s rural connectivity and digital landscape.”
The plant will serve the market demand generated by 5G, FTTx, and the push for rural broadband, specializing in future-ready optical solutions, including high fiber count cables with smaller diameters. The focus will extend to pioneering designs, notably high-capacity ribbonized cables and ruggedized designs for rural deployments. Listed on Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India, STL is active in more than 150 countries and holds many patents.
Of note, STL has partnered with TruVista, also based in South Carolina, manufacturing and building fiber networks “for South Carolina from South Carolina.” Since 2021, STL has provided optical fiber cables to TruVista, a 125-year-old provider of broadband services and applications—that has been active expanding fiber optic connectivity across rural South Carolina. Fittingly, “TruVista even provides fiber connectivity to STL’s Optical Fiber Cable facility in South Carolina, highlighting the collaborative nature of this partnership. Looking ahead, STL is working toward growing this partnership further to continue rural FTTH deployment in South Carolina and beyond.”
Outside the U.S., STL operates manufacturing facilities in six different locations in India. That includes one plant that was the first optical fiber cable plant in India to receive zero waste to landfill certification.
Golfers participating in the New England Chapter’s annual golf tournament largely shrugged off what was an ugly morning, described by one player as “a white-knuckle” drive to the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. The weather gods, however, were in a giving mood, and the skies cleared, not reverting to a hard rain till almost all of the 135 golfers had finished their rounds, joined by another 15 non-golfers.
It was an especially good day for the Fluorogistx-sponsored team of Jim Elliott and Rick Larson from New England Wire Technologies, and Jim Bliss, Marmon IEI, who won with a score of 60, 12 under par. Three teams followed at seven under. For all those who played, however, it was a memorable day, perhaps even that much better because of how uncertain it had been.
“The New England Chapter produced another great event with the full support of their Board of Directors and WAI’s staff,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “This is a special event that brings the industry together for fun networking, and I credit that to Chapter Chairperson Jess Foss and Golf Chairman Jim Evans, who are both roll-up-your-sleeves leaders who made sure the event delivers.”
“Despite a rainy morning leading up to registration, it turned out to be a beautiful day for golf,” said Foss, market development manager, Electric Cable Compounds Inc. She noted that the tournament continues to serve multiple goals. “As always, it was an excellent opportunity to network with industry colleagues, with the added benefit of being able to do so and enjoy the outdoors. We are fortunate to have many generous sponsors and attendees who make the event possible and support the NEC scholarship fund through our raffle and charity holes. I am already looking forward to what’s in store for next year, which will be our 30th anniversary!”
Foss and Evans both thanked all the companies that sponsored the event, which is also a significant contributor to the chapter’s scholarship program. Skills and special sponsors included: Amacoil Inc., Carris Reels Inc. (3), Chase Wire & Cable Materials, Commission Brokers Inc., Electric Cable Compounds Inc., Electronic Drives & Controls, Fenn LLC, Fluorogistx, Gem Gravure Co. Inc. (3), James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp. (2), Joe Tools, Lloyd & Bouvier Inc. (4), M. Holland, Mathiasen Machinery Inc., The MGS Group, Multi/Cable Corp. (2), Rainbow Rubber, RichardsApex Inc., Summit Plating, Teknikor, Teknor Apex Co., W Gillies Technologies LLC, Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp. (2), Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp. and Zumbach Electronics Corp.
Hole sponsors included: Amaral Automation, Amacoil Inc., Carris Reels Inc., Fenton Group, Fluoropolymer Resources Inc., Gem Gravure Co. Inc., Geon Performance Solutions. James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp. (3), Joe Snee Associates, Inc., Lloyd & Bouvier Inc., M. Holland, Owl Wire and Cable LLC, Quabbin Wire & Cable Co. Inc. (2), REELEX Packaging Solutions Inc., RichardsApex Inc., Sikora, Teknikor, WCMA, Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp. and Zumbach Electronics Corp.
The New England Chapter’s Scholarship Committee has reported the names of its six scholarship winners, each of which will get $2,500.
Kyle Albrinck is the son of Alice Albrinck, vinyl technical services associate, Teknor Apex. He will attend Thomas More University, where he will major in biology.
Amarra Cruz is the daughter of Luis Cruz, cable engineering manager, Times Microwave Systems. She will attend UMass Boston, where she will major in sports journalism and communications.
Katherine Fritz is the daughter of James Fritz, supply chain manager, Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure Group. She will attend Quinnipiac University, where she will major in radiologic sciences.
William Goyette is the son of Richard Goyette, continuous improvement project manager, MassME. He will attend Rochester Institute of Technology, where he will major in environmental science.
Roma Kale is the daughter of Rina Patel, Vice president of operations, RSCC Wire & Cable LLC. She will attend the University of Connecticut, where she will major in biology and public health.
John Stecker is the grandson of WAI Life Member and Past President (1989-90) WAI David Stecker. He will attend Virginia Tech University, where he will major in data analytics.
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