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Germany’s TenneT awards €1.65 billion in cable contracts to 8 industry partners

TenneT, the largest electric grid operator in the Netherlands and Germany, announced that it has awarded contracts approximately €1.5 billion to multiple companies building high-tension wires.

A press release said that TenneT has signed a multi-year contract (Corporate Framework Agreement) with the following eight contract partners following a tendering procedure: Brugg Kabel of Switzerland, LS Cable & System and Taihan of South Korea, NKT GmbH & Co KG and Suedkabel GmbH of Germany, Prysmian and TKF of the Netherlands, and TBEA Shandong Luneng Taishan Cable Co., Ltd. of China.

These partners will supply and install the cables for the 110, 150, 220 and 380 kV onshore high-voltage AC connections in Germany and the Netherlands on behalf of TenneT. “In the coming years, we will construct some 900 km of high-voltage in Germany and TenneT will realize some 4,000 km of high-voltage in the Netherlands.”

TenneT intends to spend as much as 100 billion euros in the coming decade to build out electric grids onshore and offshore as electricity from renewable sources increasingly replaces fossil fuels. It also explained how the company is evolving. “TenneT realises that expanding the electricity grid involves a lot of work. That is one of the reasons for working intensively with these specialised companies. By focusing on long-term partnerships that create a stable collaboration, parties can focus more on innovation and adjust the production process and machinery. Specifically, we will see this reflected in improved materials and design optimisation in the coming years. And, more importantly, we see more opportunities to develop longer cables in one piece (depending on voltage level) up to 5,000 meters.

“Where we currently still work with cables of around 1,500 metres, within two years we will already be laying cables with a length of 3 to 3.5 kilometres. Lengths that can soon also be realised with drilling. And that really is a step forward in terms of burdening the environment during construction, but also in terms of failures, speed and so on.”

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

Is Prysmian ready for another acquisition?

The last acquisition by Prysmian, the world’s largest cable manufacturer, was its largest ever: a $3 billion deal for U.S.-based General Cable that was completed in 2018. Per a report in Reuters, the company may make another deal in the year or two.

The Reuters story said that during an analyst call, Chief Executive Valerio Battista said that “until recently M&A ‘was a suicide’ due to sky-high valuations.” That situation is changing, and Prysmian has a healthy balance sheet that allows it to pursue opportunities. “Frankly speaking, I believe that in the next 12-24 months ... some of our competitors may come to the door,” he said.

No potential acquisitions were cited in the article, which noted that Prysmian expects a cash flow of between €550-650 million this year, topping prior guidance.

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

CommScope to invest $60.3 million to expand its optical fiber cable capacity

 CommScope® reports that it plans to invest $60.3 million over the next four years to expand its manufacturing facilities based in North Carolina to bolster its ability to meet U.S. supply demands driven by federal initiatives.

 A press release said that CommScope currently has the capacity to manufacture drop cable at a rate of approximately two billion feet per year at its U.S. facilities, a level of production that will allow states and their partners to connect every underserved American as a part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The expansion in Catawba County is expected to create at least 250 new jobs.

The expansion will further allow CommScope to manufacture the necessary cable for service providers to deploy broadband across the U.S. Capacity increase will align around loose tube production and additional fiber cable counts and styles needed for rural deployment, including CommScope’s HeliARC™ fiber optic cable that is specifically designed for rural fiber network architecture.

“Broadband for everyone is no longer a luxury, but rather a critical necessity to participate in today’s society and economic market,” said CommScope President and CEO Chuck Treadway. “We have long been committed to supplying our partners with the solutions necessary to bring broadband to everyone. Furthering our long-standing relationship with the State of North Carolina is a great next step to bring ‘Internet For All’, and we are thrilled to work with the State on this endeavor.

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Last modified on September 7, 2023

Prime Materials Recovery to install a Southwire SCR copper rod system at Shelby subsidiary

Prime Materials Recovery, Inc. (PMR), announced that it is buying an SCR copper rod system from Southwire for installation at its subsidiary, IMC - Metals America, LLC (IMC), in Shelby, North Carolina.

A press release said that the new line—the SCR 4500— will be installed in a purpose-built plant at the existing site, and mark the business’s entry into the ETP copper rod market. Sitework is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023 and bring 75-80 new jobs to Cleveland County, North Carolina.

PMR noted that in a separate initiative, IMC, one of North America’s largest producers of oxygen-free (OF) copper, will be increasing its copper rod production capacity with the purchase and installation of a new line from Upcast OY based in Pori, Finland.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with industry leaders like Southwire and Upcast OY with these initiatives,” said PMR CEO Bernie Schilberg. “We look forward to these successful projects and years of effectively serving our customers and these markets.”

Per PMR, each month it processes and brokers in excess of 35 million pounds of nonferrous metals at its facilities. It also actively participates in the global metal market via its import and export capabilities. PMR and its holding company represent one of the largest nonferrous and polymer merchants, processors, and fabricators in the United States. Based in East Hartford, Connecticut, the business includes facilities in Canastota, New York; South Windsor and Willimantic, Connecticut; Jersey City, New Jersey; Hickory and Shelby, North Caroline; Orangeburg, South Carolina; Miami, Florida; and Wilmington, Delaware.

The SCR-4500 system is designed for a production rate of 35 metric tons per hour of eight mm rod. The project includes the design of all operating equipment from a skip cart furnace loader to a finished rod handling system. The system will include an 11 stand Morgan “No Twist®” rolling mill, furnished by Primetals Technologies.

“We would like to welcome IMC into the SCR family and look forward to many years of successful collaboration,” said Mark Roden, Southwire’s vice president of SCR Technologies. “It is through our continued support and the SCR Technology Pool that this relationship will continue to grow for many years to come.”

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

NKT enters contract for copper supply

NKT reports that it has signed a long-term contract with major European copper producer KGHM S.A. to ensure that it will get the copper rod it needs for 2023-2027.

 A press release said that the expansion of renewable energy sources has led to considerable increased demand for copper. To secure that essential supply NKT signed a long-term agreement with Polish copper supplier KGHM S.A. for an annual minimum of 52,500 metric tons of copper wire rod for 2023-2027, with an option to expand quantities and extend the contractual period.

“We are pleased to strengthen our long-term collaboration with KGHM by entering into this frame agreement for the supply of copper rod for the coming years,” said NKT President & CEO Claes Westerlind. “And even more so, that we are able to source copper close to where it is needed, which supports our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.”

KGHM is an integrated copper producer with its own mineral resources, mines, smelters and copper rod production facilities in Europe. KGHM’s Głogów and Legnica copper smelters/refineries and Cedynia wire rod plant are Copper Mark certified. In line with its commitment to connect a greener world, NKT has also joined the Copper Mark to promote responsible copper mining and production.

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

Madsen Steel Wire gets site in Michigan

Madsen Steel Wire Products has acquired a 100,000-sq-ft facility in Bronson, Michigan, that will house a powder coating line that will apply coating to a wide variety of wire products produced at Madsen Steel Wire’s headquarters in Orland, Indiana, and be able to coat any wire or sheet metal product customers need.

A press release said that the best-in-class powder coating line will enable the company to be a one-stop shop for multiple industries. The expansion was fully backed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) is providing instrumental support with a performance-based grant amounting to $552,000.

“Michigan has been an outstanding partner in growing USA manufacturing by reinvesting in the local community,” said Drew Greenblatt, president and owner of Madsen Steel Wire Products and Marlin Steel Wire Products. He noted that purchases last year included two best-in-class machines: a Trumpf TruBend 3000 press brake and a Schlatter MG950 wire welder to produce wire products quicker and more efficiently while boosting product quality. “With the addition of our new powder coating line, we have further cut down the time spent in the manufacturing process. True to our promise, we continue to deliver on “highest quality, fastest delivery.”

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

Manner Polymers to build U.S. new plant

Manner Polymers announces that it plans to invest $54 million to build a new sustainable manufacturing facility in Southern Illinois that will create more than 60 jobs.

A press release said that the new plant in Mount Vernon is being designed with a focus on automation and redundancy to provide the highest levels of product consistency coupled with low cost and unparalleled supply reliability. Production is expected to start in the summer of 2025.

The company serves a broad range of markets including automotive, appliance, construction, telecommunications, industrial, medical and agriculture. Product applications include cable and wire jacketing and insulation compounds for fiber optic cables, data transmission cables, coaxial cables, patch cords and shielded/unshielded twisted pairs.

The new facility will increase the company’s production capacity by 100 million pounds. It will be powered by a 15-acre solar field located on the site.

“Not only will we incorporate best in class manufacturing technology, but we will also produce substantially all of the electricity that we use,” said Manner Polymers CEO Raj Bhargava. “Our objective is to build the lowest cost, highest quality, most environmentally sustainable flexible PVC compounding plant in the world. This will be a transformational plant. It will have industry leading capabilities coupled with a clean energy footprint.”

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

Exhibitor alert! The WAI Points Meeting for Wire Expo 2024 will be held Oct. 11

Following the successful staging of Interwire 2023, the WAI is now focused on the 2024 WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo (Wire Expo), and it all starts with the Points Meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11.

The Association will return June 11-12, 2024, to the Mohegan Sun & Casino Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. WAI ably hosted Wire Expo 2016 and had been scheduled to do so again in 2020 before Covid upended those plans.

The Wire Expo show floor saw a total of 240 companies represented on the show floor in 2022, and WAI Director of Sales Shannon Timme, CEM, wants companies interested in being there in 2024 to be prepared for the Points Meeting. Exhibitors must be in good standing and have submitted their contract with full payment to participate.

The Points Meeting determines the order in which exhibitors get to choose a location. The following parameters affect the points system: years of exhibiting, square footage (or size) of stands and continuity of years exhibiting.

Points for the system include exhibit space at WAI’s Wire Expo and Interwire shows. Exhibitors must have proof of insurance before they can take part in the Points Meeting (insurance is not required). Exhibitors can view the 2024 floor plan and submit their choices for booth space through the show website, wireexpo24.com, where the full list of points can also be viewed.

For more details and questions, contact the Wire Expo Sales Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

WAI seeking a director of education to further its mission to serve the industry

The wire and cable field continues to evolve, and so does the Wire Association International, which is creating a new position to serve the wire and cable industry: director of education.

Per WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll, the position will lead the Association’s educational initiatives into the next century. The educational programming will focus on professionals serving in operating roles within wire and cable manufacturers and suppliers serving this sector. At the same time, the Association is also addressing operator level positions via a digital training platform that has the potential to deliver value.

“The new position will be responsible for leading and managing these exciting impactful programs that will deliver value to the collective industry efforts to ensure a strong workforce,” Fetteroll said. “The priority will be development and management of the training program and as time permits, the position will manage the conference programming elements. The training program’s financials will be managed independent of other WAI programs and activities.”

The position will help carry out a Board of Directors vote last November to address the workforce development issues. In terms of candidates for the position, the Association will consider industry experts that have a proven track record who may be ready for a different experience, one that allows them to give back to the field. In addition to creating this new role, the Association has dedicated funds to support program development for training, professionals, consultants, subject matter experts and videographers.

Based in Madison, Connecticut, USA, WAI has a staff of 10 individuals who support the annual Interwire and Wire Expo events, the monthly production of Wire Journal International, the more than 2,000 members and the annual Technical Conference, among other activities.

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

Wire & Cable Milan update

The conference program for Wire & Cable Milan—to be held Oct. 16 in Milan, Italy—presented in the August issue is essentially the same and can be seen at the event website: www.wireandcable23.com.

Other elements continue to develop. At last count, 14 companies have reserved a tabletop. Those include: Caleotto Spa, Continuus Properzi, DRT Impianti Srl, Eurodraw Wire Equipment, Gimax Srl, IWMA Ltd., Mario Nava SpA, Oreste Castelnuovo, Pan Chemicals SpA, Pittini Group, PS Costruzioni Meccaniche Srl, SAMP Srl, SAS Engineering and Planning Srl, TKT Group and ZT Srl. Of those companies, Continuus Properzi, DRT Impianti Srl, IWMA Ltd., PS Costruzioni Meccaniche Srl, SAMP Srl, SAS Engineering and Planning Srl and the TKT Group have also signed on for a range of event sponsorships.

The event is co-hosted by ACIMAF and the Wire Association—which have successfully teamed up on previous conferences in Italy: Verona in 2019, Milan in 2013, Bologna in 2007 and Stresa in 2003—have high expectations for the return to Milan in 2023. It also has the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – ITA/ICE. Media partners include expometals.net, Technologie de Filo and WJI.

The program will consist of 24 technical and business presentations balanced between ferrous and nonferrous topics. Beyond the presentations, representatives of 40 key industry suppliers will be there to share their latest innovations with the industry. The day-long program will present unique networking opportunities, both during the conference at the gala dinner, always a much-anticipated highlight.

The featured presentation will be delivered by Srinivas Siripurapu, chief innovation officer and R&D officer at Prysmian Group. He also was a keynote speaker at Interwire 2023.

The ACIMAF Board of Directors selected a special combination of venues in the heart of Milan. The Palazzo dei Giureconsulti will host the conference/tabletops while the Palazzo Serbelloni will serve as the site of the gala dinner.
To register and for the latest details on Wire & Cable Milan, go to the event website: www.wirecable23.com.

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on December 4, 2023

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