NKT reports that construction has started on the company’s cable extrusion tower in Karlskrona, Sweden, for what it said will be the world’s largest factory for high-voltage offshore power cables.

A July 31st press release said that the slipform casting of concrete had started for the site’s third extrusion tower, which will become the second tallest tower in Sweden. Over the coming months, a truck per hour will supply concrete to the tower, ensuring its rapid ascent to 200 meters to stand as a landmark of NKT’s ongoing investments in production capacity and capabilities. “The beginning of the slip forming is a major milestone in the expansion of the factory in Karlskrona,” said Darren Fennell, executive vice president and head of HV Solutions Karlskrona in NKT. “The ongoing investments ... prepares us for the positive development we expect in the high-voltage power cable market.”

The extrusion tower is crucial in adding insulation to the high-voltage power cables produced at the Swedish facility. The construction of the tower is part of a larger investment program in NKT’s high-voltage power cable business, which also includes a second cable-laying vessel, set to be operational from 2027 alongside the factory expansion. As part of this growth, NKT plans to recruit over 500 new employees by 2027 and is on track with the hiring process in Karlskrona.

Following Prysmian’s recent acquisition of Encore Wire, the companies announced that they have  chosen a new combination of sales representatives for industrial/construction sectors.

A press release said that the 28 agencies include: AJB Sales; Apex Electrical Sales, Inc.; Arthur A. Boyle, Inc.; Callas Kingsley Electrical Sales; Cascade Western;  Convergence Partners, Inc.; ESP (Electrical Specified Products); Enhanced Electrical Sales; Gallagher Sales Associates, Inc.; Gen-Mark; Gorin-Cockrell-Decker; Gumersell Cashdan, Inc.: Healy-Mattos: Interwest Electric Sales; Joe Bertsch Electrical Sales Company.; L.P. Chick Company, Inc.; McCreary Sales.; McDonough & Associates.; Meridian Electrical Sales.; Power Corp.; Power Corp.; Schaeffer Marketing Group, Inc.; Synergy Electrical Sales, Inc.; Vincent-Angel, Inc.; and Wire Core Sales.

“Prysmian and Encore believe these agencies bring strength and expertise, ensuring both companies continue to deliver top-quality products and services to customers,” the release said. For information about specific coverage areas, contact Prysmian’s Industrial and Construction Team at tel. 800-243-8020.

Italy’s Tratos Cavi Spa (Tratos) reports that it has acquired Telnet and all shares of AFL Telecommunications Europe Ltd. (AFL TE), a subsidiary of AFL Telecommunications LLC (AFL).

A press release said that Telnet, a Spanish manufacturer founded in 1996, provides fiber optic cables, antennas, passive components and GPON equipment to regions in Europe, South America and Asia. The business unit was acquired in a judicial process that prevented its closing and saved more than 100 direct jobs.

The purchase by Tratos unlocks the potential of Telnet’s fiber optic cable and passive optical component division. “Telnet completely cleaned up its balance sheet and reversed the trend of operational deterioration, significantly improving profitability, with a turnover of approximately €20 million.”

A press release said that the AFL purchase includes all fiber optic cable product lines for the power utility, rail, and oil and gas markets, including the SkyWrap® attached fiber optic solution for overhead power lines, ruggedized trackside fiber optic cables and subsea umbilical optic cable components.

The company will continue to operate in its recently expanded facility in Swindon, U.K. The acquisition will increase the Tratos footprint in the U.K., alongside its existing electrical cable facility in Knowsley.

Tratos CEO Elisabetta Bragagni Capaccin said that the addition of AFL TE’s product capabilities, staff technical expertise and EMEA sales team will strengthen Trato’s market position.

Jeff Schmerbeck, AFL’s vice-president of cable solutions, said that Tratos is a good synergistic match for the AFL Swindon facility. “This is exciting news for the European utility, renewables, and rail industries.”

Superior Essex, a global leader in the magnet wire and communication cables industry, announced the next stage in the company’s wire business.

As part of its recent buyout of Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, the company will change its brand name to Essex Solutions. Under the new name, Essex Solutions will encompass all current Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire locations worldwide. Additionally, Essex Energy in Italy will now be included, further reinforcing the company’s global reach and capabilities. This integration will enable Essex Solutions to leverage the expertise and resources of all its locations, ensuring enhanced customer service and support.

To further strengthen operations, the related businesses Lacroix + Kress, IVA Insulations and Hi-Wire will join the Essex Solutions organization, while continuing to operate under their existing brand identity. This consolidation will enable better coordination and collaboration among the brands, resulting in improved efficiency and effectiveness.

During the transition period, customers and stakeholders may see materials bearing either the existing Essex Furukawa or the new Essex Solutions name. All changes are expected to be completed by April 30, 2025. A new Essex Solutions logo will be released in the near future. Superior Essex is the parent brand of Essex Solutions, Superior Essex Communications, IVA, Lacroix + Kress, Hi-Wire, and Essex Brownell. It has over 3,000 employees in 11 countries, on three continents.

Italy’s Danieli reports that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Emirates Steel Arkan for a carbon reduction project for its plant in Abu Dhabi.

A press release said that Emirates Steel Arkan wants to advance further toward carbon footprint reduction and is studying the possibility of installing an e-PGH (electrical Process Gas Heater) at the DRI plant. The company operates two low-emission minimills for long products that include wire rod using Energiron DRI technology and Hytemp pneumatic charging for hot DRI up to 600°C into the EAF.

The MoU was signed by Saeed Alghafri, CEO of Emirates Steel Arkan, and Rolando Paolone, CEO and CTO of Danieli, who met at Danieli’s headquarters in Italy. “This partnership marks a significant step forward in our commitment to innovation and technological excellence,” Alghafri said.

Emirates Steel Arkan is the UAE’s largest steel and building materials manufacturer. It is a leading wire rod producer in the GCC, with annual capacity of 550,000 mt at its high-speed wire rod mill that can produce 110 m of carbon steel wire rod per second.