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NKT announced that it has won an order worth some €2.2 billion for two power cable projects and that it plans to invest in additional high-voltage capacity in Germany.

A press release said that NKT has been awarded two onshore power cable projects by Amprion, a German transmission system operator (TSO). The order calls for NKT to provide high-voltage AC and DC onshore power cable systems for the ongoing expansion of the German power grid. With the award of these two specific turnkey projects, NKT will design, manufacture and install the high-voltage power cable systems with voltage levels of 110 kV, 380 kV AC and 525 kV DC. With a combined value of approximately €1.2bn, NKT continues the positive development from 2023 and increases the high-voltage order backlog to approximately €12 billion.

The projects include Korridor-B V48, an onshore corridor project with a route length of approximately 430 km of 525 kV HVDC power cables; and Rheinquerung, which will require approximately 20 km of 380 kV AC and 50 km of 110 kV AC power cables for extension of the onshore power grid in Germany. The two projects, expected to be commissioned from 2029 to 2031, were described as “a key element in the acceleration of the Energiewende, Germany’s long-term strategy for the transition to renewable energy by 2045.”

“Contracts like the one with NKT are fundamental to driving forward the energy transition,” said Amprion CTO Dr. Hendrik Neumann. “Only if we can procure the necessary resources on the market in time, we stay on schedule and on course for project success. Korridor B in particular plays an important role in achieving our climate targets.”

Based on demand, NKT has decided to invest approximately €100 million for additional capacity at its existing factory in Cologne. The added capacity is planned to be gradually operational from 2027 and is expected to support NKT’s medium-term financial ambition of delivering RoCE above 20%.

The majority of the power cables for the two projects will be manufactured in Cologne, which is operating on renewable electricity and is located close to the installation sites in Germany. The local footprint will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the power cable systems, help create and maintain highly qualified German jobs supporting the transition to renewable energy in general and Germany’s leading position within this transition.

Last modified on April 9, 2024

The Supervisory Board of LEONI announced changes to its executive board to further continuity of leadership. The company will extend the contract of CEO Klaus Rinnerberger through the end of 2027. He was lauded for helping LEONI return to operational success again following the financial restructuring in summer 2023. The Supervisory Board also extends the Executive Board mandate of Ingo Spengler as COO. His contract will now also run until the end of 2027. Dr. Harald Nippel will continue his role as a member of the Executive Board and CFO until April 2026. He will oversee and be responsible for the preparation of the financial results for fiscal 2025. The Supervisory Board reduced the Executive Board from four to three members as part of the company streamlining. Accordingly, the contract with Dr. Ursula Biernert as CHRO and labor director will not be extended by mutual agreement. She will be leaving the company over the summer to take on new professional challenges. The responsibilities previously summarized in the CHRO area will be transferred to the remaining members of the Executive Board. In the future, Rinnerberger will be responsible for HR, while the other two corporate functions, namely RCS (Risk, Compliance & Sustainability) and Real Estate, will report to CFO Dr. Harald Nippel. Based in Nuremberg, Germany, Leoni AG, is a global provider of energy and data management solutions in the automotive sector with branches throughout the world.

Amjad Abu-Ali has joined LLFlex as product manager for its wire and cable product portfolio, supporting the management, innovation and development of shielding and armoring tapes. He has more than 25 years of industry experience in the wire & cable industry, Amjad brings considerable experience and expertise to LLFlex. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, LLFlex is a leader in packaging materials and industrial laminate solutions for sectors that include wire and cable with manufacturing operations in Kentucky and North Carolina. 

WAGO has named Sy Stevens as the company’s new vice president of marketing and digitalization for the Americas. He will be leading and implementing strategic marketing initiatives across North and South America. He has a wealth of experience, having held marketing management positions at companies such as Rockwell Automation and Case IH. With operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America, WAGO, based in Germantown, Wisconsin, supplies spring pressure connection technology. 

Stherrim “Sterrin” Raymond has joined Wire & Cable Technology International (WCTI) as an editorial and production specialist. She will handle WCTI, Wire Forming Technology International and Fastener Technology International. She takes over for Jim Masar, who has retired from those magazines but will continue to edit WCTI’s Overview and FTI’s Fastener News Report newsletters. She holds a degree from the University of Akron. Based in Akron, Ohio, Initial Publications produces industry trade publications.

Last modified on April 8, 2024

It’s never too early to make time to hit a bucket or two of golf balls to get in the mindset for WAI Chapter golf tournaments. As of this time, only the New England Chapter has a firm date (Sept. 9), but this section will have more details in future issues.

The collective chapter golf tournaments bring together professionals from the wire and cable industry for a day of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Beyond the obvious attraction of golfing, the events serve as an excellent platform to build new connections, exchange knowledge, and strengthen existing relationships within the industry.

Beyond that, the tournaments serve another purpose, and it’s an important one: they support the chapters that have college scholarship programs, so get out there and hit a few buckets. Until then, below are some photos from 2023.

Last modified on April 4, 2024

John Markowski has returned to the Wire Association International in the newly created position of project manager of education that will play a crucial role in meeting the organization’s commitment to advancing industry knowledge and professional development.

“We’re thrilled to have John back with us,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll, who noted that Markowski, the former manager of membership and social media, has a distinguished track record. He now will oversee the development of a robust training and development program geared towards empowering members with essential skills and knowledge.

“I’m on the lookout for experts to help us craft engaging and informative training modules,” Markowski said. “If you’re knowledgeable about wire and cable manufacturing, machinery operation, quality control, or any other relevant area, and are willing to share your knowledge with the industry, I want to hear from you!”

Markowski will help implement a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS), a strategic initiative to revolutionize how educational content is delivered within the wire and cable manufacturing industry. He will focus on enhancing WAI’s educational offerings so they provide learning programs—mostly video—that directly apply to the shop floor. They will present the “how’s” and “why’s” of production processes.

Markowski will be involved in other ongoing initiatives, including the upcoming Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course at Wire Expo 2024. An Eagle Scout, he joined WAI as an intern in 2018 while attending Albertus Magnus College. He soon became a marketing associate, then two years later became manager of membership and social media. He left WAI in July 2023 and recently returned.

Italy’s Prysmian reports that it has finalized three contracts collectively worth about €5 billion with Amprion, a leading European TSO, for two offshore grid connection systems—BalWin1 and BalWin2—and DC 34, an underground cable project.

A press release said that the package deal is the largest in terms of value and km of cable ever awarded to Prysmian. It calls for some 4,400 km of HVDC cable and DMR (Dedicated Metallic Return) cable, of which around 3,400 km are land cables and 1,000 km are submarine cables.

The contracts follow the selection of Prysmian as a preferred bidder last August. At that time, it was noted that each cable system would consist of two single-core ±525 kV HVDC copper cables with XLPE insulation for the submarine sections and P-Laser insulation for the land underground sections, plus a dedicated metallic return cable and a fiber optic cable. BalWin1 will use about 1,070 km of cables along a 358 km route while BalWin2 will use about 1,100 km of cables over a route of 376 km. DC34 will use two single-core ±525 kV HVDC copper cables with P-Laser insulation, including a dedicated metallic return cable. It will consist of up to 2,100 km of cables for the cross Germany route.

The three projects are part of Germany’s overall plan to install 70 GW of offshore wind energy by 2045 and will support the transmission of the energy generated in the North Sea to consumers in the Western and Southern regions of the country. BalWin1 and BalWin2 each will transmit up to 2 GW of offshore wind energy from areas 9 and 10 of the German North Sea to the grid connection points. DC34, part of the Rhein-Main-Link, will connect the substation in Lower Saxony to a second substation in the federal state of Hesse to transmit up to 2 GW of wind energy to the Rhine-Main metropolitan area.

“The three contracts with Amprion are an important milestone for Prysmian as they underline once again the trusting cooperation between the two companies,” said Hakan Ozmen, EVP Prysmian Transmission Division.

“We have secured the necessary cable resources for three important energy transition projects,” said Dr. Hendrik Neumann, CTO of Amprion. “For us, this is a major step towards project success.”

Last modified on March 7, 2024

Amphenol Corporation—which has been in a busy acquisition track—announced that it is acquiring the Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT) business of Carlisle Companies for a little over $2 billion.

A press release said that the definitive agreement will see CIT’s harsh environment interconnect solutions join Amphenol’s existing interconnect solutions. CIT produces wire and cable, cable assemblies, contacts, connectors and sensors for sectors such as commercial air, defense and industrial end markets. “We are excited to welcome CIT’s approximately 6,000 talented employees to the Amphenol family,” said Amphenol President and CEO R. Adam Norwitt. The acquisition “will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive technology solution for the increasingly complex applications of our customers in harsh environment markets.”

Per the CIT website, the business traces back to 1940 when it was founded by Henry Dudley Minich as Tensolite. It had six people working in an old, converted house in Tarrytown, New York. Today, the business has nine locations in the U.S., three in Mexico, one in Switzerland and two in China. CIT, the release said, is expected to report 2024 sales and adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately $900 million and 20%, respectively.

“The sale of CIT aligns with our Vision 2030 strategy and represents a significant milestone in our strategic pivot from a diversified industrial portfolio of businesses to a premier pure-play building-products company,” Chris Koch, CEO, chairman and president of Carlisle Companies, said in a statement. The transaction is expected to be completed this year.

Last modified on March 7, 2024

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently visited Belden Inc. at its plant in Syracuse, New York, where she announced $2.4 million in incentives and tax credits to help the company expand its optical fiber production.

A press release said that Syracuse is home to Belden’s primary Broadband Solutions location, operating under the PPC Broadband brand, where Hochul highlighted key programs in her 2024 New York state budget. The Governor also announced a flurry of economic and financial awards, including a $1.2 million Empire State Development grant for Belden and a $1.2 million Excelsior Jobs tax credit.

“We are honored to welcome Governor Hochul to our Syracuse location,” said Belden President and CEO Dr. Ashish Chand. “Her words describing New York’s rich history of transformation and reinvention, spoken from inside a Belden facility, underscore how Belden itself is leading the way through ingenuity and innovation from its many key locations across the U.S. and around the world.”

Belden was one of 19 recipients across New York State to receive a total of $15 million in financial awards through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Last modified on March 7, 2024

Nexans has been awarded a contract to supply a leading Italian utility with 6,000 km of low- and medium-voltage power distribution cables and services.

A press release said that the cables will be manufactured at the Nexans plant in Battipaglia, Italy, using 100% guaranteed low-carbon aluminum that can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 35% to 50%, depending on the products. The cable will be used in underground power lines that are designed to be more resilient to the increasingly frequent extreme climate phenomena that affect power distribution infrastructure worldwide. It will be supplied over a period of 16 months.

Being part of this initiative “places Nexans at the very heart of decarbonized electrification in Italy and in Europe and demonstrates the commitment of our two groups to the world energy transition,” said Elyette Roux, vice president of power distribution cables and accessories at Nexans.

Nexans will also supply the company’s ULTRACKER DRUMS solution that will assist the utility in tracking and managing the delivery of their cables on site, enabling real-time geolocation of cable drums thanks to edge-computing technologies, and providing unique advantages such as shipments follow-up, theft detection, remote monitoring, residual cable length management, and a streamlined drum pick-up.

Last modified on March 7, 2024

Nexans announces that it has agreed to acquire La Triveneta Cavi, an iconic Italian manufacturer that serves the European medium- and low-voltage segments.

A press release said that the company, founded in 1965 by Ermenegildo Scalabrin, Gastone Massignan and Bruno Gobetti, employs some 700 people and has current revenues of more than €800 million over the last 12 months. La Triveneta Cavi primarily manufactures for sectors such as building, infrastructure, fire-retardant cable systems and renewable applications across 30 countries.

La Triveneta Cavi operates a vertically integrated and best-in-class industrial footprint in Italy, including three cable production units featuring efficient logistical capabilities in Brendola and Tolentino, as well as one in-house copper drawing facility in Montecchio Maggiore.

The proposed acquisition “is a significant leap forward in Nexans’ strategy to become an electrification pure player, adding a widely recognized player with a long-standing tradition of best-in-class innovation and industrial platforms, as well as a highly experienced management team with a strong track record.”

Nexans expects to see its building cable portfolio grow to address the major market shifts as global demand for fire safety cables is expected to grow at +13% CAGR over the 2021-2030 period. Nexans will further develop La Triveneta Cavi’s experience in fire-retardant capabilities to expand the Group’s global fire safety offer.

“The acquisition of La Triveneta Cavi will be a major milestone in our journey to become a global electrification pure player,” Nexans CEO Christopher Guérin said. He noted that Italy represents the third largest economy in the Eurozone, the second largest manufacturing economy in Europe, with high skilled talents, and has renowned excellences in R&D and industrial processes. “The combination of Nexans and La Triveneta Cavi will be a real catalyst for a “Made in Italy” cable production in the Veneto region of Italy, that will bring significant investment and jobs for La Triveneta Cavi.”

“Nexans will bring significant resources to further expand La Triveneta Cavi’s operations, most notably to accelerate the deployment of the fire safety technology,” said La Triveneta Cavi CEO Mariano Peripolli. “By combining our entrepreneurial spirit with Nexans’ pioneering and agile culture, we are poised to drive innovation and create transformative impact. Indeed, we are proud to have found the right partner capable of enhancing the work done so far by our people and continuing the development of our company.”

Last modified on March 7, 2024

Amphenol Corporation has completed the acquisition of the Industrial Products Group (IPG) of Trexon, a divestiture that includes the brand portfolios of TPC Wire & Cable, Pittsburgh Wire and Cable and MilRail.

A press release said that the elements will become part of the Amphenol Harsh Environment Solutions Division, joining several other existing industrial businesses. “I’m very excited to welcome TPC Wire & Cable (Trexon’s Industrial Products Group) to the Amphenol family,” said Division President Luc Walter. “TPC’s unique capabilities extend Amphenol’s harsh environment interconnect capabilities by adding highly engineered raw cable and value-add cable assemblies for the high technology and harsh environment industrial markets. Collectively, Amphenol and TPC provide a broader solution offering to our customers in these markets.”

Trexon, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity, was formed in 2021. It included two divisions, one being IPG, the other for engineered products. TPC’s IPG division will operate as a standalone business unit within Amphenol under the new name of Amphenol TPC Wire & Cable. By leveraging the complementary capabilities of the existing organization, Amphenol TPC will accelerate/ enhance the value of critical industrial applications in the market. It will retain its current headquarters. Walter noted that the entire executive team of TPC will remain with the company.

“TPC’s unique capabilities extend Amphenol’s harsh environment interconnect capabilities by adding highly engineered raw cable and value-add cable assemblies for the high technology and harsh environment industrial markets,” Walter said. “Collectively, Amphenol and TPC provide a broader solution offering to our customers in these markets.”

Pittsburgh Wire & Cable, Inc., established in 1992, is a stocking distributor of industrial and commercial wire, cable and accessories. MilRail is a U.S./Canadian specialty distributor for wire and cable, electrical components, cable management, wire harnesses, and cable assemblies serving the rail.

The acquisition follows Amphenol’s agreement to acquire the Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT) business of Carlisle Companies. Other recent acquisitions include PCTEL, a global provider of wireless technology solutions, including purpose-built Industrial IoT devices, antenna systems, and test and measurement products; and Airmar Technology Corporation, a supplier of ultrasonic sensors and sensor systems for marine and other industrial applications.

Last modified on March 7, 2024

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