Italy’s EK Group, through its subsidiary MB Technology, announced that it has acquired ATB Srl, also based in Italy, as part of its expansion plans.

A press release said that ATB, located in Pieve Vergonte, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, is involved in manufacturing and assembling electrical and electronic wiring, as well as creating control panels for industrial automation. It specializes in manufacturing spiral cables and molding high- and low-pressure connections.

Roberto Gallingani, president & CEO of Elettrotek Kabel SpA), believes that the acquisition of ATB will allow EK Group to expand the activities of the wiring harness division. He noted that this has become an increasingly important part of the EK Group, which has some 320 employees divided into three divisions (production of electrical cables, distribution of electrical cables and wiring).

Intertranscom Impex, a Romanian producer of welded mesh based in Buhuși, was the top bidder at €7.5 million at a public auction for the assets of Dan Steel Group Beclean, which has been in bankruptcy since early 2023.

Per an article in romaina-insider.com, the Dan Steel Group Beclean (Dan Steel) was involved in the production of ferrous metals in primary forms and ferroalloys (nails, galvanized wire, braided wire, welded mesh, panels) sold on both the domestic market as well as in Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The business was founded in 1991 and expanded rapidly but faced liquidity problems in 2017. In 2018, measures imposed by the European Commission for imports of some steel industry forced Dan Steel to pay more for raw materials.

Per another online report, Intertranscom Impex plans to resume production soon and turn the company into one of the main employers in the region. Dan Steel had annual capacity of some 100,000 tons of steel products per year. The assets include some 40 hectares of land, buildings with a total usable area of 75,500 sq m and related equipment.

Prima, a telecom/data infrastructure firm, in collaboration with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), has signed a contract for the establishment of what would be the first “smart” deployment of a subsea cable system: the Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) Subsea Cables initiative that seeks to revolutionize deep ocean observing by equipping transoceanic telecommunications cables with sensors to provide novel and persistent insights into the state of the ocean.

A press release said that the SMART cable will connect Vanuatu and New Caledonia, extending to Australia and Fiji. It will provide not just digital connectivity, but also vital environmental/seismic monitoring in the Pacific region. Prima is responsible for maintenance and operations of the ICN1 subsea cable system, which connects Vanuatu to Suva, Fiji, and has been operational since 2014. It is 100% owned and operated by the people of Vanuatu, a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands.

Southwire was recently recognized for two separate activities, one for diversity and the other for its commitment to responsible business practices.

A press release said that Southwire was recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. The recognition was based on a survey conducted of more than 220,000 individuals. In 2023, Southwire’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy featured a focus on People Leaders, Inclusive Workforce, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Reputation and Community, Equity and Governance and Value and Supply Chain.

“At Southwire, we believe that the people are the power behind everything we do,” said Southwire Chief DEI Officer Cara Herzog. “We want to be the Employer of Choice for a workforce whose perspectives, backgrounds, talents and experiences are not only accepted but embraced.”

“We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity,” said Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinson. “We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce not only enhances our team members’ experiences but also drives collaboration and innovation. Southwire strives for every team member to feel valued, respected and empowered.”

Southwire also had three facilities certified by The Copper Mark, an entity that assesses responsible production, sourcing and recycling of metals. On Dec. 12, 2023, it announced the certification of three Southwire facilities: those in Denton, Texas; Bremen, and Lafayette, Indiana.

“Receiving The Copper Mark at our manufacturing plants in Denton, Bremen and Lafayette is an incredible accomplishment and speaks to Southwire’s commitment to sustainability now and in the future,” said Burt Fealing, executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer at Southwire. “It also speaks to the dedication our team members have to our five core tenets of Growing Green, Living Well, Giving Back, Doing Right and Building Worth, which these facilities demonstrated throughout the assurance process. “This recognition reflects Southwire’s dedication to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that welcomes and celebrates the unique skills and experiences of its team members.

Anand Bhagwat, a past WAI president (2005) and a long-time steel industry veteran, recently retired from Minova USA Inc., and has started a consulting service.

Per Bhagwat, he plans to serve small- and medium-sized companies on either retainer or project-based engagements for quality management, steel and wire technology, and new product development. He can be reached at tel. 740-229-0033, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bhagwat’s career in metallurgical engineering spanned more than 35 years, including 12 years at Minova USA Inc., a mining ground support manufacturer. His career started in 1990 at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., where he developed wire technology for tire reinforcement for 10 years. Subsequent positions include the Seneca Wire Group, where he was vice president of quality and technology for seven years, three years as managing director of Wire & Cable Services, a WAI subsidiary., and as plant manager at FENIX, LLC.

Anand received the WAI’s Donnellan Memorial Award in 2009 and Mordica Memorial Award in 2022. He was an ASM/IIM Visiting Lecturer in 2001, and in 2015 he won the Stefanko Best Paper Award from Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.