From Wire Journal International's February 2022 Feature

Thomas J. Rosen, president and CEO of Wire & Cable Consulting, LLC, has nearly 40 years in the industry, holding executive positions with companies such as IWG High Performance Conductors, Phelps Dodge Corporation and Nesor Alloy Corp. Below, he shares his thoughts about the supply chain. He can be contacted at tel. 973-228-5589, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.wirecableconsulting.com.

We are living in new times. Nobody foresaw what was coming in terms of Covid and labor issues, the great resignation wave and everything else that’s happened the last few years. The days when you could depend on overseas suppliers to deliver in five or six weeks are gone. That same timeframe can be four or five months. That causes problems for our customers, which I want to make clear here make value-added products.

The supply chain and the wire and cable industry need to understand how to handle the ebbs and flows of the business. But first I want to address something that is part of the equation, even if it might not seem so. The industry will always have issues—and sometimes, like now, they may be quite harsh—but I have learned over the years that you cannot overestimate how important it is to value the human element.

People are extremely important, and we need to offer or meet issues on the physical and mental health that help keep them together. People need more family time. Working 60-plus hours a week is not a long-term solution. People need more time off pursuing things that bring them a sense of purpose. If they achieve short-term and long-term success as individuals, that will help them in their work roles. They become part of your solution that you won’t find in a spreadsheet. Think about it.

Now for the supply chain. First off, it won’t come as a surprise when I say that there are no easy solutions, but that does not mean you can’t take some measure of control. You know what you need and when, but how well do you know what your suppliers can and cannot do? Relying on them just to “do” or “not do” is not enough. You have to work with good suppliers, and that means companies that are investing in their businesses.

You have to work the supply chain all the way back. Capacity obviously is a key issue, but so is their personnel. Is the company stable? Does it have the cash flow and resources to invest in its future? Some may not be strong enough, so sticking with a supplier without knowing more about them is not wise. Learning more about suppliers may ultimately force you to look elsewhere. If you don’t want to do this, then find another business, because your future maybe in doubt.

Beware of suppliers that stick to the outdated 80/20 principle. One of our clients had such a supplier, which had contracts and agreements, and took care of the 20% clients first. They didn’t like minimum quantities, specials or anything “out of the norm.” Our client, who started manufacturing cable assemblies for Steinway, could not get product from his supplier. We found him a new one. We explained the business and provided the specs to the new supplier that had not been active in this niche, and was interested. Both our client and the customer benefitted.

We encourage our clients to develop new suppliers. You hear a lot about supply not being available, but generally speaking, I have found that materials can be found, even in small quantities. I have one client that will, and he’s very good at it. He also gets paid well for it. And guess what? He’s getting more and more business because the big guys don’t want to do small quantities anymore.

There’s a flip side to this too. How well do you treat your suppliers? A lot of big companies don’t excel at that. I always made sure that I personally engaged suppliers, and enjoyed meeting them and seeing their operations. That’s changed in the last two years, but it’s still possible through zoom and the like. If you keep in close contact, you may find opportunities. Also, keep in mind that the wire and cable industry is a supply chain unto itself, as many companies sell to cable manufacturers, who in turn sell to OEMs.

It’s a difficult time for companies that need rod and metals that either require large sizes or require special technology for different applications, as they are not as easy to source overseas as they are in North America. There are limited places people can go, so such manufacturers are basically held hostage, which is why high value product makers are better off.

I have one client that buys redraw and fine wires, and silver-plated wires and alloys. Those products are limited in the supply chain, but because we were able to show the supplier our needs six months out, we were able to get what we needed. That takes planning. If you cannot show vendors your plan, you can’t expect them to commit to late requests. You want to ask the supplier what they can do to help.

I don’t see conditions changing much in the next year. I think we’re stuck in a conundrum here. We all know the symptoms of the supply chain, but I keep thinking about the one element that gets lost in the discussion of what needs to be done, and that goes back to people. They make it all possible.

I spend a lot of time helping clients with their long-term plans. Anyone who isn’t—or thinks that conditions will revert back to what they were, and that we can all go back to walking our dogs the way we used to—is dreaming. This is the new norm. We have to figure out how to navigate it, to be flexible, quick and nimble.

Want to read more like this?
Subscribe to Wire Journal International here!
Have the industry's leading monthly publication delivered directly to you, print and/or digitally.  

3/10/2022  Citing the disturbing events in Ukraine, the Supervisory Board of Messe Düsseldorf announced that it has decided to suspend the group’s business activities in Russia until further notice. It has also agreed to take in Ukrainian refugees at the Fairgrounds.

A press release said that the decision includes the activities of its subsidiary, Messe Düsseldorf Moscow. “The whole city of Düsseldorf is thinking of the people in Ukraine,” said Dr. Stephan Keller, Lord Mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf, and chairman of the Supervisory Board of Messe Düsseldorf. “After we have already put the city partnership between Moscow and Düsseldorf on ice, it is only logical that Messe Düsseldorf, as a subsidiary of the city, also suspends its activities in Russia for the time being.”

Added Wolfram N. Diener, CEO & president of Messe Düsseldorf, "The current events contradict the mission and values of our company, which is to create international marketplaces for free, cross-border intercultural and economic exchange.” The next scheduled staging of wire Moscow, to held at the Krasnaya Presnya, is in the summer of 2023.

The Messe also announced that by March 1, a thousand cots had been set up in Hall 6 to accommodate Ukrainian refugees who had fled their homeland. By the end of the day, they all were filled.

“On the day of construction, a large number of colleagues spontaneously lent a hand to make the accommodation possible as quickly as possible,” said Diener, who noted that the trade show organizer was pleased to accommodate a request from the Office for Migration and Integration of the city of Düsseldorf. “Because we are moved by the fate of the people. And because we are deeply moved by the plight of the refugees. Receiving and accommodating them is a matter of course for us.”

The cots were set up in Hall 6, which covers more than 25,000 sq m, by the Messe, working with the German Red Cross and the Düsseldorf Fire Department. Some 2,500 meters of partition walls were erected to divide the hall into smaller rooms. Hall 6 has its own changing rooms and 40 shower places. Capacity is supplemented by external shower containers. Catering will be provided by Stockheim, Messe Düsseldorf’s catering partner. All refugees will also have access to free WiFi, which will enable them to keep in touch with family and friends and to find out about developments in Ukraine.

At LinkedIn, the news was warmly greeted, including kudos from Sebastian K. of QUICKFairs, who wrote, “Make fairs, not war.”

3/9/2022  The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports that two keynote speakers are scheduled to present on consecutive days at its Operations Summit & Wire Expo, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA, June 7-8, 2022.

Tuesday, June 7 - “The new normal in raw material procurement for the wire and cable industry”
Keynote speaker Brian Schulties, the Chief Procurement Officer for Prysmian Group North America, will share his insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the supply chain in the wire and cable industry in this era of tight supplies.

Wednesday, June 8 - “Leadership in a volatile world”
Keynote speaker Ty Garrison, Senior Vice President of Operations, at Commercial Metals Company, will discuss how the last few years have strained businesses across the globe as Covid forced companies to deal with events like virtual work, burn out, unprecedented supply chain disruptions and volatile markets. The need to successfully navigate these situations puts immense pressure on leadership at every level of an organization. When we shift our mindset and view the pressures of leading a team as a privilege rather than a burden, leaders rise to the occasion and companies thrive.

View the full program and event details at www.wireexpo22.com

WAI has the generous support of the following sponsors:
Platinum: Carris Reels Inc.; Encore Wire; Gem Gravure Co. Inc.; James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp., Prysmian Group; SDI LaFarga Inc.; Southwire Co.; and Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp; Gold: Insteel Industries Inc.; and Lloyd & Bouvier Inc.; Silver: Niehoff Endex; and Sikora International Corp.; Bronze: Baum’s Castorine; NDC Technologies; Precision Payoff Systems; and RichardsApex Inc.

The Wire and Cable Industry Suppliers Association (WCISA) is an industry partner with WAI.

Contact WAI’s Pierce Whelan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details about exhibiting and/or sponsorships.

About the Organizer:
WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with nearly 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 Exhibition and the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo and publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.

3/4/2022  The war in Ukraine is proving a tense time for cable producers like Leoni, Nexans and TFKabel which have units located in the Ukraine. In this Insight we have a brief look at how producers are dealing with the unfolding situation and also what role Russia and Ukraine play in the cable markets in general. We will provide a further update next week. The CRU International Report says...

Effect on producers located in the Ukraine

At the time of writing, France’s Nexans told CRU that it is monitoring the situation and continues running two out of its three automotive wiring harness plants that it has in the Ukraine. The plants of Peremyschljany and Zolochiv are still running. However, its unit at Brody has been temporarily stopped. The three units employ a total of 2771 people.

“We are in close and regular contact with our customers, and we are following the situation very closely in order to adapt as best we can and avoid any disruption to our business. Safety of our employees is our absolute priority. The evolution of the situation is being closely monitored and will adapt to the extent possible the protection measures of our employees on the sites,” a spokesperson told CRU.

Germany’s Leoni told CRU Wire & Cable News that it has stopped production of wiring harnesses at both its sites in the Ukraine, which employ 7,000 people. Leoni production is located at Stryji and Kolomyja in the southwest of the country in regions close to the EU border. “The safety of our employees is our top priority. Immediately after the combat operations began, we decided to temporarily suspend our production at both plants and send our employees home until the situation can be better evaluated," a Leoni spokesperson said.

The company said that a dedicated task force will closely monitor the course of the conflict and its impact on the company’s sites, and is also in constant contact with customers and suppliers.

Labor-intensive wiring harness production, which uses LVE cable is one of the main activities for cable producers located in the Ukraine. As shown in the chart on the left-hand side of Figure 1, LVE cable makes up 48% of total insulated metallic wire and cable production in the Ukraine.

Sanctions on Russia

“With regard to the impact of international sanctions on Russia, we are monitoring the situation very closely to enable us to adapt and limit the potential impact on our supply chain. Russia and CIS represent less than 0.5% of our Group sales,” a Nexans spokesperson explained.

CRU data shows that Russian wire and cable production is predominately made up of power cables (71%), with LVE cables comprising 26%. The country’s impact on the wider cable market is relatively minimal. It only has a 2% share of total European exports and 4% share of East European exports. Over the past three years, Russia’s two main export destinations have been Kazakhstan and Belarus. Both countries accounted for 61.2% of total Russian cable exports.

Meanwhile, China and Belarus made up 63.1% of the cable imports into Russia for 2021.

The effect of a further escalation of the conflict on Ukraine’s cable trade is uncertain. Poland is an important trade partner for the Ukraine, both for imports and exports (see Table 1). In 2021, most of the exports to Poland were for wiring harnesses (72.5%) and LVE cables (25.5%), while the majority of imports were for LVE cable (90.1%).

CRU will be keeping subscribers up to date over the coming weeks. Visit the CRU website for more information by visiting: https://www.crugroup.com/

Note: This report 

3/4/2022   The new trade fair dates from June 20 – 24, 2022 promise the greatest possible planning security for exhibitors and significantly better travel conditions for trade visitors from all over the world. After four years without wire - International Wire and Cable Trade Fair - and Tube – International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair - the sectors will finally meet again in person at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany to exchange information about innovations from the wire, cable and tube industries.

   wire and Tube will feature many innovations - end products in fasteners and springs, an ecoMetals campaign with guided tours to exhibitors such as AMPCO METAL Deutschland GmbH, ARCELOR MITTAL COMMERCIAL SECTIONS S.A., Georgsmarienhütte GmbH, Klöckner & Co SE and SMS group GmbH as well as expert meetings with keynote speeches by key players in the industries.

   As the worldwide leading events for their industries, wire and Tube will not only present new machinery and plants but also increasingly sustainable solutions for e-mobility, digitalization and Industry 4.0. Start-ups with their ideas and co-operations in wire, cable, tube and pipe production complement the comprehensive range of products and services in the 13 exhibition halls.

   The concurrently (June 21 – 24) held METAV, leading international trade fair for metalworking technologies, offers additional synergy effects for wire and Tube visitors.

   Traditionally, wire and Tube are among the most international trade fairs in Messe Düsseldorf's portfolio. More than two thirds of the exhibitors come from outside of Germany - exhibitors from 67 countries took part in the 2018 events. Trade visitors from over 130 countries meet at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds at peak times.

   For information about the hygiene and infection control regulations in effect in June 2022 at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds: https://www.wire-tradefair.com/en/Visitor/Hygiene_concept_PROTaction

   For further information on visiting or exhibiting at wire or Tube 2022, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Visit www.wire-tradefair.com, www.tube-tradefair.com and www.mdna.com

3/4/2022  To further Southwire's mission to build a culture that recognizes and celebrates the value of diverse backgrounds, equity in opportunity and inclusivity in action, the company is pleased to announce the launch of its new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) website.  

Southwire treasures the diversity of its employees and the communities that we represent and serve, and the company’s four key values – trust, empowerment, consistency and inclusion – are the foundation of the organization’s DEI strategy.  

“A focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is mission critical for our organization,” said Cara Herzog, director of DEI. “Over the last several years, we have continued to prioritize and accelerate our internal and external efforts to drive progress. We believe the key to our continued success is our people, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives can thrive.”  

Southwire focuses on fostering an environment that recognizes the value and talent of diverse perspectives regardless of gender and ethnicity. In 2014, the company established its first employee resource group (ERG), and since then, the company has expanded to six ERGs, including the Women’s Network, Spectrum, Nextgen, TEAM, Officium and Allied. These groups actively promote Southwire’s commitment to inclusivity by engaging employees and encouraging participation in events throughout the year.   

“We believe that every person can make a difference from any position, and we are committed to foster an environment where respect and inclusion are at the forefront of everything that we do, an environment where equal access and opportunity to learn, grow and succeed are available to everyone,” said Fernando Esquivel, executive vice president of People & Culture.  

The new DEI site will provide an in-depth look at Southwire as an organization and what the company stands for, including its focus on sustainability and how its five core tenets relate to DEI for the benefit of its workforce.   

“Sustainability is focused on being mindful of our impact on local and global communities and taking actions to create a better world for future generations,” said Burt Fealing, executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer. “In a very similar way, diversity, equity and inclusion is also focused on sustainable long-term efforts to remove barriers and to create equitable opportunities for everyone as part of a better world.”   

Establishing its brand as an organization dedicated to DEI continues to be an area of focus for Southwire, and with this new external site, the company is communicating openly and remaining transparent about its ongoing efforts — a bold step for a private company that demonstrates its deep commitment to the importance of DEI within the organization and in society at large.  

“We are an organization with a lot to offer, and we are excited for more people to see it. We believe in our people, customers, partners, and communities,” said Herzog. “The opportunity to share and connect in a new way is something that we value, and we welcome the conversations that this will bring internally and externally. We are just getting started.”   

###

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, utility cable products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. For more on Southwire’s products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwiresustainability.com.

obal client base in more than 50 countries.

3/4/2022  The event prequel in the WJI March issue outlines all the elements that will be part of the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo 2022 when it is held June 7-8 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Below is a bullet list of some of what will be included.

• Education. WAI will present its popular one-day Fundamentals course that provides a solid grounding in the essentials of wire and cable manufacturing.
• Featured speakers. These include Brian Schulties, chief procurement officer, Prysmian Group, North America, “The new normal in raw material procurement for the wire and cable industry”; Ty Garrison, senior vice president of operations, Commercial Metals Co. “Rising to the challenges”; and Kevin Heffernan, vice president sales, Encore Wire Co., “Encore’s Success Story”
• Exhibits. At press time, 107 slots on the show floor had been taken.
• Presentations. A full program has been scheduled that supports the theme, “Rising to the Challenges.”
• Industry recognition. WAI will honor the winners of the Mordica, Donnellan and President’s awards.
• Plant tour. Attendees will tour Encore Wire’s McKinney campus, which has seen an amazing pace of continuous expansion.
• Reception. The WAI will hold this at Monduel’s Atrium, conveniently located inside the host hotel.
• Networking. It’s not on the official schedule, but the entire event offers endless possibilities.

Please visit WAI's official WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo 2022 site here: https://www.wireexpo22.com/

3/4/2022  Members of the Southeast, Midwest and New England chapters hoping to get a scholarship for their children can apply online through the March 31st deadline.
New England has added at sixth scholarship this year, each $2,500; the Midwest offers up to three, at $1,500 each; and the Southeast offers up to four recipients at $1,800 each. Visit wirenet.org to learn more and apply, or contact WAI’s John Markowski at tel. 203-458-4044, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., for more details.

3/4/2022 
The WAI Poland Chapter has changed the dates for its 9th International Drawing Conference—which had been set for April 20-22—to May 18-20.
The event will still be held at the Hotel GALAXY in Cracow, Poland. Updating the story in the February issue, the theme for the conference is “Modern technological solutions and actual problems of drawing and other metal forming processes.”

Chapter President Jan Pilarczyk said the later date will make it easier for attendees to take part. He noted that it also comes closer to a very important date that will take place in May: the 20th anniversary of the day when the WAI’s Board of Directors approved the creation of the WAI Chapter.

Pilarczyk said that he was pleased with the support the event has had so far from industry. The main sponsors are Drumet, a member of WireCo World Group; Schlatter; WiTechs; the MFL Group; Vassena; and Lubrimetal. Other sponsors include MET-PRIM Sp.
z o.o.; Telefonika Kable S.A.; CMC Poland Sp. z o.o., operating in Poland, a member of the CMC Commercial Metals Group; Witels Albert; and Wilhelm Tatje KG.

The focus for the conference is “Modern methods of metal forming and drawing processes and production of wire rod and wire.” Topics include: selected issues from the theory and technology of the drawing process and other plastic forming processes; directions of drawing technology development in the field of devices, tools, accessories, lubricants and cooling agents; quality problems for ​​production of charge materials, wires and final products; new materials and new application areas for drawn products; and operational issues – ropes, cables, wires, welding wires, springs, etc.

The plenary session will be moderated by Pilarczyk and Prof. Tadeusz Knych, the dean of the Department of Nonferrous Metals at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow. Kynch is also chairman of the scientific committee.

Pilarczyk said that a book will be presented at the event that covers the creation of the chapter, looking at how professionals from the private sector and academia teamed up to carry out a shared mission to improve the steel wire industry. Four individuals will be honored at the event with the Schneider Memorial Award—the highest such award for Poland at the conference. They include Tom Moran, Brookfield Wire, U.S.; Prof. Beata Smyrak, AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow; Prof. Zbigniew Gronostajski, Wrocław University of Technology; and Andrzej Karwat, R&D, Drumet/WireCo Corp.

The co-organizers of the conference include Pilarczyk; Knych, the 2015 winner of the WAI’s Mordica Memorial Award; and Prof. Adam Zieliński, of the Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy. It will also include a plant tour of TELE-FONIKA Kable S.A. The Conference Honorary Patronage is by Prof. Norbert Sczygiol, rector of the Czestochowa University of Technology. More details will be in the April issue, and go to the Chapter website: www.msc.wip.pcz.pl.

4/1/2022 –  To further Southwire's mission to build a culture that recognizes and celebrates the value of diverse backgrounds, equity in opportunity and inclusivity in action, the company is pleased to announce the launch of its new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) website.  

Southwire treasures the diversity of its employees and the communities that we represent and serve, and the company’s four key values – trust, empowerment, consistency and inclusion – are the foundation of the organization’s DEI strategy.  

“A focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is mission critical for our organization,” said Cara Herzog, director of DEI. “Over the last several years, we have continued to prioritize and accelerate our internal and external efforts to drive progress. We believe the key to our continued success is our people, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives can thrive.”  

Southwire focuses on fostering an environment that recognizes the value and talent of diverse perspectives regardless of gender and ethnicity. In 2014, the company established its first employee resource group (ERG), and since then, the company has expanded to six ERGs, including the Women’s Network, Spectrum, Nextgen, TEAM, Officium and Allied. These groups actively promote Southwire’s commitment to inclusivity by engaging employees and encouraging participation in events throughout the year.   

“We believe that every person can make a difference from any position, and we are committed to foster an environment where respect and inclusion are at the forefront of everything that we do, an environment where equal access and opportunity to learn, grow and succeed are available to everyone,” said Fernando Esquivel, executive vice president of People & Culture.  

The new DEI site will provide an in-depth look at Southwire as an organization and what the company stands for, including its focus on sustainability and how its five core tenets relate to DEI for the benefit of its workforce.   

“Sustainability is focused on being mindful of our impact on local and global communities and taking actions to create a better world for future generations,” said Burt Fealing, executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer. “In a very similar way, diversity, equity and inclusion is also focused on sustainable long-term efforts to remove barriers and to create equitable opportunities for everyone as part of a better world.”   

Establishing its brand as an organization dedicated to DEI continues to be an area of focus for Southwire, and with this new external site, the company is communicating openly and remaining transparent about its ongoing efforts — a bold step for a private company that demonstrates its deep commitment to the importance of DEI within the organization and in society at large.  

“We are an organization with a lot to offer, and we are excited for more people to see it. We believe in our people, customers, partners, and communities,” said Herzog. “The opportunity to share and connect in a new way is something that we value, and we welcome the conversations that this will bring internally and externally. We are just getting started.”   

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, utility cable products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. For more on Southwire’s products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwiresustainability.com.