Wire Expo 2024: why attend?
As of press time, some two months after the Points Meeting for Wire Expo, nearly 70% of the floor space has been reserved. Of note, 10% of the exhibitors are new to Wire Expo. Below, WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme shares thoughts on why attending Wire Expo makes sense.

A lack of resources is a harsh reality for some manufacturers in the industry that want to send staff to industry events but have to evaluate which ones to pick from the oversaturated tradeshow landscape. I believe that Wire Expo should remain on top of the list because it is too important to miss.

The history of Wire Expo spans more than three decades and the event attracts overseas interest, draws new exhibitors, and hosts face-to-face deal making with company leaders and decision makers. Wire Expo offers a tradeshow floor packed with suppliers who represent nearly every sector that services the wire and cable industry. But just as importantly, WAI’s history of delivering exceptional educational programs to attendees continues to confirm the value of the event.

I saw that firsthand at the recent staging of WAI & ACIMAF conference in Italy. I sat in on presentations by many exceptional industry executives and researchers. I was impressed by how solid those programs were. I heard attendees talking about topics in breaks, at lunch and at dinner. That part of the experience has always existed at Wire Expo and Interwire.

Sending key employees to Wire Expo to hear about concepts and trends which educate, inspire, and motivate while providing them the opportunity to walk the show floor and network and interact directly is valuable and makes Wire Expo 2024 a superb two-fold investment.

The deadline is getting closer for sending in a nomination for WAI’s 2024 Wire Link Traveling Scholarship, a program that sends a wire professional to Europe where he or she can see how different companies operate as well as attend the wire Düsseldorf show in Germany in April 15-19, 2024. Applications need to be received by Jan. 1.

The Association is looking for ambitious wire professionals who have been employed for at least two years in the wire and cable (or related) industries, including manufacturers and suppliers. The program alternates between a U.S. representative going to Europe, and a U.K. representative going to the U.S. through the program’s co-sponsor, the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers of England.

The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate who best demonstrates to the judges how the award will help him or her grow professionally, gain a broadened knowledge of the industry and share those benefits with his or her company. All expenses will be met by the sponsors during the trip to the U.K. and Germany. The only employer cost is the employee’s time, and travel to and from the departure airport.

There is a list of requirements to be a candidate, the key ones being that the applicant must have been employed full-time in the wire and cable industry for at least two years at the time of travel; be a WAI member in good standing at the time of application and travel; be available for an interview; be able to travel to England and wire Düsseldorf for two weeks that same spring; be employed by his/her nominating company at the time of travel; and have a signed letter of recommendation from an appropriate company official.

Submissions/questions can be sent to the WAI’s Wire Foundation via wirenet.org. Questions can also be sent by applicants and employers to WAI Member Services Manager Corey Flynn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Radix Wire & Cable has named John Roggenburk as its new vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s High Temperature Business Unit. He has 30 years of diverse commercial experience serving global aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. He most recently was vice president of global marketing for Howmet Aerospace, where he led the marketing and inside sales organization. He was cited for both his ability to lead sales as well as develop new business and recognize market trends. He holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton and an MBA from DePaul University. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Radix is a leading manufacturer of high-performance electrical and communications wire and cable for extreme temperature, fire resistance and other harsh environment applications.

FENN has named Hunter Lang as technical sales manager for Southern USA. He worked for about three years for Atlas Copco, where he gained experience working in capital equipment sales. He had started out as an intern and was most recently industrial air sales manager. He holds a B.S. degree in industrial distribution from Texas A&A University. Based in East Berlin, Connecticut, FENN is a global supplier of forming machinery for the wire and cable industry.
Ryan Cei was named general manager/vice president of Radcliffe Wire. He previously worked for more than a decade for Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., most recently as general manager of the company’s Shaped Wire division. He holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and finance from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Clemson University. His service as general manager will officially begin when Gary Majchrzak retires from that position in early 2024. Based in Bristol, Connecticut, Radcliff Wire, Inc., produces flat, square, and special shaped wire in over 60 different metals and alloys.

Holger Lieder, who joined Sikora AG as sales director in 2004, has joined the company’s Supervisory Board, and now is responsible for all areas of sales, marketing and service. As of last September, he had provisionally taken over the management of the marketing and service departments in addition to his position as sales director. He was cited for his objective and level-headed manner. He has more than 30 years of experience in sales and a comprehensive technical understanding of Sikora technologies and market requirements. Based in Bremen, Germany, Sikora AG is a global supplier of measuring equipment for the wire and cable industry.

Obituary
Joseph (Joe) Elzie Gibson, who worked in the wire and cable industry for 65 years—and was featured in a WJI January 2022 spread on his career with Encore Wire—died Sept. 27, 2023, at age 86. The WAI Life Member began his career with Texas Wire & Cable, where he met and married the love of his life, Imogene Vest Gibson. He retired from Encore Wire in June 2021 as assistant vice president, operations, leaving behind a legacy as a hard worker who never shirked responsibility, but also a dedicated family man. He is survived by his wife, Imogene, two daughters, Lisa and Sarah, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The WAI reports that 102 floor spaces (units), representing more than 60% of the available booth space, was sold at the Points Meeting for Wire Expo 2024, which will be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
A total of 91 companies took part in the Points Meeting, held Oct. 11 at WAI’s headquarters. By comparison, a total of 78 companies took part in the Points Meeting for Wire Expo 2022, held in Dallas.
“We celebrate this achievement considering the challenges the industry still faces post pandemic,” said WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme. “The resilience and growth of our industry is remarkable, and we would like to thank our loyal partners for their trust and support.”
Timme said that following the Points Meeting, there has been considerable interest by other potential exhibitors for Wire Expo. “We are confident that the remaining 40% of space will be sold out soon as we continue to receive many inquiries and expressions of interest from potential customers, many who are new to exhibiting. We encourage exhibitors to book their space soon.”