The WAI planning committee for the Association’s Global Continuous Casting Forum—last held in 2019, met April 6 to discuss details for the event that will be held in conjunction with Interwire 2025 on May 12-15, 2015.

Taking part in the Committee, chaired by Chris Tucker of Encore Wire, were Richard Baker, Cableforce Consulting; Kurt Breischaft, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS; John Hugens, Hugens Metallurgy & Combustion; Martin Lecours, Rio Tinto; Giuseppe Marcantoni, Properzi International; Juan Sanchez, Freeport McMoran; and Janusz Sekunda, Prysmian. Also part of the committee but not able to participate in the meeting were Patrick Slaughter, Southwire, and Florin Teglas, Nexans.

The committee discussed ways to improve the event, including educational content, networking or in the execution stage. It will continue to review the possibility of expanding the content and the number of total days. The consensus was that offering both an aluminum and a copper focus was appropriate, and that adding a plant tour would be a plus.

The committee discussed the need to solicit papers via a “call-for-papers” and by recruiting. The timeline for submission of abstracts is Oct. 3, with notifications by Nov. 7 and papers submitted by a deadline of Feb. 13, 2025. A call for papers was distributed at the wire 2024 show in Düsseldorf and will be shared at the Wire Expo event in June as well as in the WJI.

On April 4, WAI volunteers and staff joined forces at the Points Meeting for the initial allocation of exhibitor booth space for the 2025 Interwire Trade Exposition, which will be held on May 13-15, 2025, in Atlanta.

The Points Meeting is important because it is used to decide where booths will be placed based on a formula that uses the number of years of participation and the size of booth. A total of 118 companies took part in the Points Meeting that was held online at the WAI’s office in Madison, Connecticut. By the end of the day, 64,000 sq ft of exhibit space was reserved.

The team that managed the process included volunteers Erik Macs of Wire & Plastic Machinery; Harish Panchal, consultant; Joe Snee of Joe Snee Associates; and John Zachow of Davis-Standard. WAI staff representative included the sales team of Anna Bzowski and Shannon Timme; Corey Flynn, manager of member services; Chuck Szymaszek, director of technology; and Sheila Kuever, controller.

Also there was WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll, who said that the smoothly run kick-off bodes well for Interwire, which requires extensive planning in many stages. “I am grateful to the entire team for their efforts. The process works well, and during it a lot of elements have to be addressed so that when attendees walk the show floor next year, all is right.”

Fetteroll, who served as an observer during the day-long meeting, said that the results for the kick-off were inspiring. “It’s hard to appreciate just how widespread and committed the industry support is for Interwire. Of the 118 exhibitors that reserved floor space, 110 had participated in previous shows, with many having done so since the event was launched in 1981.

On Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., celebrated the company’s centennial anniversary with a grand gala at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut. The event marked 100 years of the Ulbrich family legacy and was attended by over 600 employees, retirees and notable government officials.

Per the company report, the gala kicked off with an executive and family photoshoot before employees and their guests poured into the Aqua Turf’s Kay’s Pier banquet hall for cocktail hour. Upon seating at their tables, captivated attendees watched with reverence as the Governor’s Foot Guard presented the colors. Chris Ulbrich, company chairman and CEO, had the honor of introducing the Foot Guard, explaining that the historic military regiment had been active since the earliest days of the American Revolution. As the ceremonies came to a close, Chris Ulbrich gave a heartfelt speech, thanking all the Ulbrich team members, both past and present, for their contributions to the company. He also expressed gratitude to the entire Ulbrich community, from vendors to suppliers and organizations that serve the community.

The event was graced by the presence of Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie, State Representative Dave Yaccarino, former Wallingford Mayor William Dickenson. In addition to Mayor Scarpati of Meriden, Mayor Vincent Cervoni of Wallingford and First Selectman Micheal J. Freda of North Haven also attended the event.

Bysiewicz, Lavoie and the mayors each spoke to Ulbrich’s longevity and the importance of manufacturing jobs to the state’s economic prosperity. Mayor Scarpati and Mayor Cervoni proclaimed that March 23rd is now officially dedicated to celebrating Ulbrich’s contributions to our communities. The governor’s office presented a 100th birthday card to the Ulbrich family.

The gala celebrated Ulbrich’s journey since 1924, acknowledging the countless hardworking men and women who have been the driving force behind the company’s achievements. Chris Ulbrich highlighted the company’s adaptability, from making mess kits during World War II to contributing to lunar landings, Mars missions, and life-saving medical devices.

An announcement said that a special gift, a book titled “More than Metal,” chronicling the company’s history, would be mailed to the homes of all attendees. The book was originally written by longtime company Chairman and CEO Fred Ulbrich, Jr., and finished as part of the company’s centennial celebration.

Superior Essex, a global leader in the magnet wire and communication cables industry and a majority owner of the Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire joint venture with Furukawa Electric, announced that it has agreed to take over the remaining minority interest held by Furukawa Electric in Essex Furukawa.

A press release said that when the transaction is completed, Superior Essex will become the sole owner of the brand, assets and operations currently conducted by the global Essex Furukawa joint venture. Superior Essex plans to relaunch its magnet wire business under a new company name this year. This entity will continue to operate all current facilities of the Essex Furukawa joint venture around the world, which includes the Japanese and Malaysian (Kuala Lumpur) magnet wire facilities contributed by Furukawa Electric in October 2020.

“I want to thank the entire Furukawa Electric team,” Superior Essex CEO Daniel Choi said. “Over the last several years—operating together as Essex Furukawa—we have been able to create many successes.”

The collaboration between Superior Essex and Furukawa Electric in Essex Furukawa began in October 2020, with the aim of leveraging their combined experience and knowledge to drive innovation and deliver manufacturing excellence, technological advancement, and outstanding customer service.

The acquisition of Furukawa Electric’s minority interest in Essex Furukawa marks an important milestone for Superior Essex as it takes full control of its global operations and strengthens its commitment to delivering exceptional products and services to its customers worldwide.

Superior Essex is the parent brand of Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, Superior Essex Communications, Essex Energy Italy, IVA, Lacroix + Kress, Hi-Wire, and Essex Brownell. It has over 3,000 employees in 11 countries, on three continents. Furukawa Electric Group has 127 group companies including Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., and approximately 50,000 employees around the world.