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New products join many other Halguard® compounds providing manufacturers with readily available UL component recognition

6/3/2021: UL has recognized four new Halguard® low-smoke, flame retardant jacketing compounds as “halogen-free”, it was announced today by Teknor Apex Company. The compounds include new-generation EVA-based products with an enhanced balance of properties, and highly flexible TPE-based products that exhibit excellent oil and sunlight resistance.

The assessment of halogen content was conducted in accordance with UL 2885 standard for the presence of fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) and iodine (I) at a maximum individual limit of 1,000 ppm. With the four new grades, there are now fifteen Halguard low-smoke, halogen-free flame retardant (LS-HFFR) compounds with UL AATJ2 component recognition as Halogen-free.

The new compounds, all with UL 94 flame ratings of V-0, are of two types:

● EVA-based compounds for control, data, and transit cables. Halguard grades 58240 and 58242 provide high levels of flame retardance, resistance to heat shock and heat deformation, and ease of processing —the latter translating into increased throughput. The compounds enable cables to comply with UL 1685-FT4/IEEE 1202 standards for vertical tray cable and the UL 1666 standard for riser cable. Other applications include fiber optic data cables and cables used in transit infrastructure, as in the case of tunnels.

● Highly flexible, oil- and sunlight-resistant TPE-based compounds. Incorporating elastomers, these two products comply with UL 62 and UL 758 standards for flexible cord and appliance wire, respectively. Halguard E 59001 exhibits 80% and 90% retention of tensile strength and elongation at break, respectively, upon immersion in IRM 902 oil for seven days at 60 °C. Halguard E 59002 retains 90% and 95% of tensile strength and elongation at break upon exposure for 720 hours in a weatherometer.

Typical property data for these compounds appear in the accompanying table.

“The Halguard LS-HFFR product line provides properties to meet a wide range of applications, and the growing list of grades with ‘halogen-free’ assessments by UL further expands options for customers,” said David Braun, wire and cable industry manager for the Vinyl Division of Teknor Apex. “We will continue to develop Halguard compounds which can comply with this UL assessment in order to provide customers with readily available component recognition, which enables them to accelerate speed to market for their products.

Halguard LS-HFFR compounds are available worldwide.

For further information contact the company at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Last modified on June 3, 2021

Sikora wins German innovation award

7/7/2021: DtGV, the German Association for Consumer Studies, has named SIKORA as one of the winners of its SME Innovation Award 2021/2022.

A press release said that the award goes to small and medium-sized companies from Germany “that demonstrate particularly high innovation potential in their segment and/or state.” The award was based on the Corporate Patent Classification (CPC) system. The basic parameter patent number was rounded off by the qualitative moment of the citation frequency and condensed into a score value.

SIKORA, a supplier of measuring technology, was scored as being among the top 10% of all examined SMEs in the CPC main class for instruments.” In the parallel federal state ranking, it was listed as one of the top three companies from Bremen. “This award makes us very proud and confirms the corporate course we have been following since the foundation of the company,” said Sikora CEO Dr. Christian Frank. “Thanks to our inventive spirit and innovation potential, we are able to continuously offer our customers future-oriented technology solutions. Thus, we create the basis for highest customer satisfaction and long-term growth.”

 

 

 

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Last modified on July 7, 2021

New date for SpringWorld 2022

5/19/2021: The Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc. (CASMI) is re-scheduling SpringWorld 2022 so that it will not conflict with Yom Kippur, announced Tony Pesaresi, CASMI President. The event, which was scheduled to take place Oct. 5-7, 2022, will now take place Oct. 12-14, 2022 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

According to Pesaresi, “SpringWorld taking place during Yom Kippur could have a negative impact on the event in terms of exhibiting company participation and attendance. CASMI strives to provide the best possible business atmosphere for buyers and suppliers at SpringWorld. Therefore, we decided to move the show to the second week in October.”

SpringWorld is renowned for bringing spring-related businesspeople together. In 2018, nearly 2,200 attendees and exhibitors from around the world participated. The event is conveniently located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois - just five minutes from O’Hare International Airport. Attendance is free and is limited to spring, stamping, fastener, wire form manufacturers, and OEMs.

Companies planning to exhibit will find information on the CASMI web site, www.casmi-springworld.org, or they can contact the organization’s office at 630.359.4273, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CASMI was founded in 1944 as a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to the development of good business practices and sharing of technical information through ongoing communications among the job-shop spring manufacturers in the Greater Chicago area. Membership now includes spring companies and industry suppliers from the mid-west and throughout the U.S.

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Last modified on May 19, 2021

Prysmian to host digital 'Diversity Week' May 17-21

5/14/2021: The Prysmian Group will display its commitment to Diversity & Inclusion through its first Global eNclusion Week, a five-day digital event that will take place from 17 to 21 May, featuring a series of digital panels and workshops on the importance and advantages of building diverse and inclusive workspaces. The program will focus on four main themes: Gender Diversity; Diversity & Inclusion in all its forms; Inclusive Culture in the workplace; and Generational D&I.

The Global eNclusion Week opens Monday, May 17, with remarks from Fabrizio Rutschmann, Prysmian Group CHRO, followed by speeches by: Valerio Battista, Prysmian Group CEO; Mimi Kung, Prysmian Group Independent Board Member; Eric Rondolat, Signify CEO; Sabrina Ritossa Fernandez, Sycomore Asset Management; Maria Cristina Bifulco, Chief Sustainability Officer & IR Director Prysmian Group; and Massimo Battaini, Prysmian Group COO. The Global eNclusion Week will offer the opportunity to know more about how countries, companies and associations are promoting Diversity & Inclusion around the world.

To register for the event, use this address: https://twitter.com/PrysmianGroup/status/1390264163780505600/photo/1

With the participation of an international and multicultural community, this initiative will feature one week of events open to everyone, where speakers from different industries and with different background will share their knowledge and best practices related to Diversity & Inclusion.
“We strongly believe that leveraging on gender, age and cultural diversity means creating more value and we are constantly building a work environment where all our employees can feel understood, respected and included, just as they are. This event is more than an aspiration: it is a necessity, or better, a business case for a Group that has to work with customers, suppliers and shareholders with different backgrounds and cultures. In order to improve this approach, it is necessary to raise awareness and build a positive dialogue, which can contribute to advancing the Group’s corporate culture," said Fabrizio Rutschmann, Chief HR Officer Prysmian Group.

Prysmian Group's goal is to further enhance its human capital, which can be found in its some 28,000 employees worldwide. The increase in the percentage of women, both among white-collar workers and at the level of top managers, is among the sustainability parameters to which the payment of the company managers’ variable remuneration has been linked.

As evidence of the strategic importance of gender and cultural diversity, Prysmian has also set up a new global Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, tasked with overseeing the achievement of the objectives that the Group has set itself. The Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee has the responsibility to define D&I objectives at each organizational level and support the definition of the actions to achieve and to promote a cultural change to facilitate Diversity & Inclusion within the work environment. The Committee is composed by Prysmian Turkey Human Resources Director Aysun Kalmik, acting as Leader, and Product Development Manager of the Lincoln (Rhode Island) plant Prasha Sarwate, as Deputy Leader.

In order to improve the gender balance in its workforce, the Group has committed to achieving the following Diversity & Inclusion objectives by 2022:

• Ensuring 40% of women hired (female white collars hired with a permanent contract) on total hirings (34% in 2020 compared to 30% in 2016);
• Increasing from 21.9% to 25% the percentage of women managers (from junior to top positions);
• Improving gender balance with regard to executive positions: from 6% in 2016 to 18% in 2022.

In addition, fundamental indicators (e.g., security) have been implemented in all the Groups’ 104 plants.

Prysmian Group believes in the value of individuals, backgrounds, leadership styles and attitudes because each person has the potential to generate value to the Company. Its global footprint enables the Group to promote an inclusive environment, encouraging the development of corporate culture and identity. Side by Side is Prysmian Group’s project that promotes Diversity & Inclusion across the organization.

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Last modified on May 14, 2021

Organizers of wire Southeast Asia 2021 report event will now be held next February

5/10/2021:  The next staging of wire Southeast Asia—and its sister show, Tube Southeast Asia—will now be held Feb. 9-11, 2022 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

A press release from organizers Messe Düsseldorf said that the event, which was to be held Sept. 22-24, is being moved to the new dates to “allow for optimum international participation.” It noted that in the past, over 90% of the exhibitors came from overseas countries such as Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Japan and Korea.

“It is anticipated that by next year with further easing of travel restrictions and ongoing successful vaccine deployments worldwide, there will be a more optimistic environment for companies to do business safely and effectively at these trade fairs,” the release said.
The two trade fairs were first held in 1997. At the last staging in 2019, international exhibitors from 29 countries participated at the trade fairs, while 45 % of trade visitors came from outside Thailand.

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Last modified on May 10, 2021

Amaral Automation to represent AESA Cortaillod in U.S. and Canada

5/4/2021: Amaral Automation announced that it will represent AESA Cortaillod in the U.S. and Canada. 

Swiss-based AESA has provided state-of-the art measuring systems, devices and quality-performance services to clients worldwide since 1978. A recognized leader in its field, it provides exceptional know-how and expertise in cable measuring systems, foresight, mastery and focus on quality, combined with its unwavering commitment to customer service. With this new partnership, Amaral Automation and AESA Cortaillod both look forward to continued growth. 

Amaral Automation, founded more than two decades ago by industry veteran Rick Amaral, is based in Warwick, Rhode Island. Providing a range of technical solutions and consulting services to the wire and cable industry, Amaral Automation also represents Davis Standard, Zumbach, Clinton, WTM, Subec, B&H Tool, TapeFormers, Powdertech, Gneuss, and Angle Systems as well as offering a full compliment of wire & cable accessories. For more details, go www.amaral-automation.com or call Amaral Automation at tel. 401-405-0755.

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Last modified on May 4, 2021

Organizers of wire Southeast Asia 2021 report that the event will be now be held next February

5/4/2021:  The next staging of wire Southeast Asia—and its sister show, Tube Southeast Asia—will now be held Feb. 9-11, 2022 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

A press release from organizers Messe Düsseldorf said that the event, which was to be held Sept. 22-24, is being moved to the new dates to “allow for optimum international participation.” It noted that in the past, over 90% of the exhibitors came from overseas countries such as Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Japan and Korea. 

“It is anticipated that by next year with further easing of (Covid-19) travel restrictions and ongoing successful vaccine deployments worldwide, there will be a more optimistic environment for companies to do business safely and effectively at these trade fairs,” the release said.
The two trade fairs were first held in 1997. At the last staging in 2019, international exhibitors from 29 countries participated at the trade fairs, while 45% of trade visitors came from outside Thailand.

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Last modified on May 7, 2021

Champlain Cable Obtains NYCT Approval for “TX-TW” thin-wall wire

Champlain Cable is now approved by New York City Transit (NYCT) for thin-wall irradiation cross-linked TX-TW rail car wiring. This significant industry approval demonstrates our continued commitment to our Vision of innovative, value-added products for demanding environments. With our material science and processing technology, this product line further enhances our ability to offer a broad range of products over a wide variety of applications and markets.

“Champlain is excited to expand our market presence into the rail transit market with our EXAR-Rail line of products.” stated Bruce Sinnott, Champlain’s Vice-President of Business Development. “This qualification involved a united team effort across multiple departments at Champlain Cable. We are all very proud of this tremendous accomplishment.”

This thin-wall cable is typically used on rolling stock where weight and space utilization is a primary focus. These thin-wall wires can be up to 1/3 smaller than standard 600V rail wiring, which allows more circuits in limited spaces. Advanced polymer formulation and irradiation crosslinking allow for these thin-wall designs.

Champlain Cable Corporation is a premier manufacturer of Irradiation Cross-linked wire and cable serving the Rail, Automotive, Commercial Vehicle, UL / CSA, Military Shipboard and specialty Data Communication markets. Champlain’s products provide cost-effective solutions to wire and cable performance and processing problems. Champlain is headquartered in Colchester, VT and has two additional manufacturing facilities in El Paso, TX.

For more information about Champlain Cable Corporation, please visit www.champcable.com

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Last modified on April 23, 2021

SACO AEI webinar on April 28th to cover processing techniques for XLPE wire & cable

4/8/2021: WEBINAR ALERT

April 28, 10-10:45 AM CDT: Processing Techniques for Moisture Cure Cross-Linkable Polyethylene (XLPE) Used in Manufacturing Wires & Cables | PEXIDAN®
SACO AEI’s PEXIDAN® Cross Linkable Wire & Cable Compounds have led the industry in performance and efficiency for more than two decades. This webinar will discuss best practices and processing techniques for extruding moisture cure XLPE. This webinar is a must see for technical processing staff and key production managers. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Differences between XLPE and Thermoplastic Extrusion
2. Proper set-up of XLPE Wire Extrusion Line
3. Do’s and Don’ts of XLPE Processing
4. Meet the SACO AEI Technical Services Team
5. 10 Minute Q&A Session


Presenters
Dale Zevotek, Application Development Leader. With over 25 years in plastics processing (W&C, extrusion, injection molding, compounding, and blow molding). Dale Zevotek brings an experienced and determined approach to any processing challenge. Having started in Fiber Optics Operations/Engineering and worked his way through Copper Data, Compounding, Power Cable Production and Molding there is an encyclopedia of applications and processes background to draw from. Mr. Zevotek received his Engineering Degree from the United States Naval Academy and furthered his education with a Master’s of Business Administration from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, NC.

Emily Vrbensky, Application Development Leader. Emily graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Polymer Science and Engineering. She has worked in the Wire & Cable industry since graduating, starting out as a Materials Engineer at a wire and cable manufacturer. She joined the SACO AEI team in 2019 as an Application Development Leader, bringing with her a unique view of customer needs and processing issues common to wire and cable extrusion.

For questions and more information, contact Ayushi Gangwal, Technical Sales Engineer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Last modified on April 8, 2021

HELUKABEL PVC Control & Motor Cables Receive ECOLAB Certification

4/7/2021: WEST DUNDEE, Illinois – HELUKABEL recently announced that multiple PVC-jacketed control and motor cables have recently been tested and certified by ECOLAB for use during washdown processes found typically in the food and beverage industries.

The newly certified control and motor cable families are suitable for various stationary, flexing, and continuous-flex/drag chain applications. The products that were subjected to the 28-day test using cleaning/disinfecting substances Topactive 200, Topactive 500, P3-topax 66, P3-topactive OKTO, and P3-topax 990 along with demineralized water (used for zero-reference value) were:

PVC/Nylon Insulated, PVC Jacketed, NFPA 79 Compliant Control Cables
• TRAYCONTROL® 300 / TRAYCONTROL® 300-C
• TRAYCONTROL® 300 TP / TRAYCONTROL® 300 TP-C
• TRAYCONTROL® 500 / TRAYCONTROL® 500-C
• TRAYCONTROL® 530
• TRAYCONTROL® 600 / TRAYCONTROL® 600-C
• MULTIFLEX 600 / MULTIFLEX 600-C 

XLPE Insulated, PVC Jacketed, NFPA 79 Compliant Control Cable
• TRAYCONTROL® X XLPE Insulated, PVC Jacketed, NFPA 79 Compliant VFD Motor Cables
• TOPFLEX® 600 VFD

The cable families mentioned above were tested in accordance with ECOLAB test PM 40-1, which requires cables to be completely immersed in the various cleaning/disinfecting substances for up to 28 days at constant room temperature. Upon complete of the immersion test cables are then subjected to visual inspection to see if any swelling, brittleness or discoloring has occurred in comparison to the cables immersed in demineralized water.

Additional information on each of the ECOLAB cleaning/disinfecting substances used in the testing process:
• Topactive 200: Alkaline, chlorine-free foam cleaner in the food and beverage industries
• Topactive 500: Acid foam cleaning substance for the food and beverage industries
• P3-topax 66: Alkaline foam cleaning detergent with active chlorine for machine cleaning in the food and beverage industries
• P3-topactive OKTO: Acid disinfectant based on peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide for the food and beverage industries
• P3-topax 990: Neutral, non-oxidizing disinfecting agent for foam application in the food and beverage industries

HELUKABEL USA, Inc. is the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of HELUKABEL GmbH, a leading international manufacturer of cables and wires, with 55 locations in 36 countries throughout the world. 

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Last modified on April 13, 2021

Industry 4.0 Pavilion at Interwire 2021 to reveal the future of wire & cable manufacturing

2/24/20 --  Madison, Connecticut, USA – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. announces recent developments by its Industry 4.0 Task Force, along with the participation of Messe Düsseldorf North America, toward the introduction of an Industry 4.0 Pavilion on the Interwire 2021 exhibit floor at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The new show dates are: October 26-27, 2021.

The goal of the new venture is to establish and showcase relevant machinery, software, and process demonstrations that illustrate smart technology as it relates to the wire and cable making industry.

The space will include 12 companies half of which will represent the smart manufacturing field; the other half will showcase companies, established within the wire and cable industry, that have adopted these or other new technologies in their processes and equipment. Space among these exhibits will be dedicated to brief, scheduled demonstrations within a socially distanced theater configuration.

Following the “Industry 4.0” theme for Interwire 2021, WAI is planning an allied educational program with presentations from both the smart technology field as well as its traditional technical papers.

Commenting on the new venture, 2021 WAI President Thomas Heberling said, “WAI has a proven 90-year history of providing stellar educational experiences to the industry. This new Pavilion at Interwire will serve WAI’s mission and introduce new technology that affects our stakeholders. We are pleased to build a relationship with Messe Düsseldorf North America for a co-created Pavilion that may be repeated at future events.”

"As the U.S. subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf, the organizer of wire Düsseldorf, we have been active in the North American market for over 30 years in the wire and cable industry and serve as a link for U.S. and international companies to access markets all over the world. This partnership on the Industry 4.0 Pavilion at Interwire 2021 with WAI is a logical continuation to open up new market opportunities, expand on the technological and educational advancements on this continent," said Tom Mitchell, President of Messe Düsseldorf North America.

The 2021 staging of Interwire will mark 40 years since its inception. Hosted biennially, Interwire is an international trade event that includes exhibiting companies, speakers, and visitors from more than 50 countries. See developing details at www.interwire21.com.

Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA) is the U.S. subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH in Germany – one of the world’s largest organizers of international trade shows for the machinery, medical, retail, lifestyle and leisure industries. Their trade shows bring together market players from around the world, connecting industry leaders from small businesses to global players. With their expertise and range of services, they help exhibitors and visitors find the customers or the service and merchandise providers they are looking for. Within the Americas, MDNA organizes trade shows for the Plastics, Flow Control and Medical sectors.

The Wire Association International 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.

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.

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Last modified on February 24, 2021

Maxcess and RotoMetrics Merge, Create Most Comprehensive End-To-End Global Web Handling Solutions Provider in the Industry

2/10/21 -- Maxcess, the global leader in innovative products and services for web handling applications, has announced its intent to merge with RotoMetrics, the global leader in the manufacturing of precision cutting dies and support tooling solutions, under the Maxcess International name.

“The merger of these two world-class organizations will further expand our one-stop-shop offering, providing our OEM and end-user customers with the most comprehensive product portfolio available for enhancing their productivity and efficiency,” said Odd Joergenrud, CEO of Maxcess.

Customers will benefit from increased technological innovations and value-added Industry 4.0 solutions, expanded geographical markets, a robust global footprint of manufacturing, sales and service offerings, as well as the broadest end-to-end product offering in the industry for rotary dies and support tooling solutions, guiding, winding, slitting, tension control and precision rolls.

About Maxcess: Maxcess helps its customers maximize productivity through innovative products and services worldwide. By leveraging our service and support across our storied brands of Fife, Tidland, MAGPOWR, Webex, Valley Roller, Menges Roller and Componex, Maxcess offers an unrivaled network of application experts. Visit them online at www.maxcessintl.com

About RotoMetrics: For more than 60 years, RotoMetrics has been the worldwide leader in precision rotary tooling for the printing and converting industries. RotoMetrics enables the efficient conversion of substrates into individual labels and parts, through customized cutting solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with facilities on 5 continents, RotoMetrics helps customers and partners “Unlock the Power of Precision”™. For additional information, contact RotoMetrics World Headquarters at +1-800- 325-3851 or +1-636-587-3600 or www.rotometrics.com

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Last modified on February 10, 2021

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The Wire Association Int.

71 Bradley Road, Suite 9

Madison, CT 06443-2662

P: (203) 453-2777