The WAI is seeking applicants for the 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 to attend the wire Düsseldorf show in Germany in April 15-19, 2024.
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.
The most recent WAI Wire Link Traveling Scholar, in 2022, was Erika Akins, who at the time was an applications engineer for Southwire Company. She was promoted to applications engineering manager in April.
Some past WireLink Scholars have fared quite well in the industry, such as Kurt Breischaft, the 2006 winner, who at the time worked for Belden CDT. He is now president of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, and is serving as the 2023 president of the WAI.
Official rules, regulations & entry requirements
Candidates must:
• Be employed full-time in the wire and cable industry
for at least two years at the time of travel.
• Be a Wire Association International member in good
standing at the time of application and travel.
• Be available for an interview.
• Be able to attend the Award Presentation at the WAI annual meeting in the following spring.
• 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.
• Have a signed letter of recommendation from an
appropriate company official.
• Be able to present a full report of his/her visit to the director of the company that recommended him/her and to the WAI for potential publication in the WJI.
• Submit an essay submission explaining how the applicant can meet the objective of the scholarship, and how the experience would broaden his/her knowledge of wire and the wire industry for his/her benefit and the benefit of his/her company.
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 Executive Director Steve Fetteroll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The return to Mohegan Sun Casino for the WAI should be a good one. A total of 102 floor spaces (units)— representing more than 60% of the available booth space—was sold at the Points Meeting for Wire Expo 2024, to be held June 10-12 at the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort. A total of 91 companies took part in the Points Meeting, held Oct. 11 at WAI’s headquarters.
The fees for registration are presented below, with the schedule shown on the next page. A key date is May 31, as that is when advance rate discounts expire, making now a very good time to act. The cost for an all-access registration is $720, and $620 for WAI members. A non-member who signs up for $720 gets a one-year membership. After May 31, the cost increases to $695 for non-members and $595 for members.
Registration for the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course on Monday, June 10, costs $495, and $395 for WAI members. A non-member who signs up for $495 gets a one-year membership.
Other event options include access to exhibits and Product Solutions demonstrations. That cost is $125, increasing to $140 after May 31. A ticket for the Welcome Reception, always the best way to meet up with the industry, is $140.
The schedule, presented at www.wireexpo24.com, provides an overview of what attendees can expect. The March issue will include a “prequel” of the event that provides a close look at what will be offered, but a few notables will be the awarding of WAI’s 2024 Champions Award to Keynote Speaker H. Woltz, president/CEO of Insteel Industries; the Mordica Lecture by W.T. Bigbee, vice president operations of Encore Wire; and Keynote Speaker Paul Furtado, COO, Prysmian.
WAI previously staged Wire Expo in 2016 at the same site, where some 240 companies were represented on the show floor.
TELE-FONIKA Kable (TFK) and JDR Cable Systems (JDR) have been awarded a contract from the ORLEN Group and Northland Power for a Baltic Power wind farm in Poland.
A press release said the TFK and JDR—along with partners NKT and DEME Offshore—will design, manufacture, and install 340 km of land and subsea cables for the project. Located 23 km to the north of the Polish coastline at the area Choczewo and Łeba, the Baltic Power wind farm area of some 130 sq km will host 76 wind turbines, each with a generating capacity of 15 MW. The project, scheduled to be fully operational by 2026, is designed to generate 1.2 GW of energy to Poland.
TFK will manufacture and install 230 kV land power cables and cores for inter-array cables at its manufacturing facility in Bydgoszcz. As a consortium partner, NKT will develop the offshore export cables for the project, delivering power from the offshore substations to the shore. TFK will manage the transportation and installation of the onshore cable section within the Baltic wind farm.
JDR, a business of TFK, will design and manufacture 66 kV inter-array cables at its U.K. plant in Hartlepool. Those cables will connect the 76 offshore turbines to the offshore substation. DEME Offshore will be responsible for transporting and installing all subsea cables. The manufacture and delivery of all cables will be completed by the end of 2025.
The contract comes as part of Poland’s energy transition ambitions as it aims to develop offshore wind energy in the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone of the Baltic Sea, with a capacity of approx. 5.9 GW in 2030 and up to 11 GW in 2040.
Since 2007, JDR and TF Kable have supplied 33 kV inter-array cables to U.K. projects such as the Greater Gabbard and London Array. In 15 years, they’ve delivered over 4,000 km of subsea cables, enabling the transmission of 22 GW of offshore wind power, representing ca. 36% of the total capacity of nearly 60 GW. They celebrated their 50th offshore wind farm cable contract in 2022, contributing to global wind farms in the US, Taiwan, and the U.K. / Europe.
A press release said that the project is a turnkey project that includes cable delivery, construction, and installation. The cables will be supplied by LS Cable & System for 230 kV and above, and by LS Cable & System Asia for 66 kV and below.
LS Cable & System has been actively targeting the Singapore market since 2010 and has established itself as a key supplier with the No. 1 market share. LS Cable & System has won contracts in Singapore worth about $260 million, “making it the No. 1 player in Asia’s largest high-voltage market.” Singapore’s electricity grid is composed of underground cables that pass under the ground without building transmission towers. Competition is fierce among global cable companies from Europe and elsewhere for high-value-added underground cable business.
Prysmian wins contracts for 50Hertz project
Prysmian PowerLink Srl, part of the Prysmian Group, has been awarded new HVDC cable contracts worth some €1.1 billion by 50Hertz, a transmission grid operator in Germany.
A press release said that order is part of 50Hertz’s long-term EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation) contracts for German projects. This one is for Lot2, which includes EPCI contracts for the NOR-11-1 submarine and DC31 land projects, along with Lot7. The projects are part of Germany’s overall goal to reach a cumulative installed capacity of 70 GW by 2045 for offshore wind and to transfer the energy generated in the North Sea to consumers in the eastern and southern regions of Germany.
Under Lot2, Prysmian will be responsible for the EPCI elements as well as testing and commissioning the two turnkey projects—NOR-11-1 and DC31—that will have an overall cable length of around 1,000 km. With a power transmission capacity of 2 GW, NOR-11-1 is a 525 kV HVDC submarine project utilizing submarine cable plus underground cable along the route that is planned to connect the offshore windfarm area N-11-1 to the German grid in the Heide/West area. The second project of Lot2, the DC31 is a 525 kV HVDC underground cable project and is planned to transmit power from the Heide/West area to Klein Rogahn.
Both the submarine and land HVDC cable systems will consist of two single-core copper cables with XLPE insulation plus a dedicated XLPE metallic return (DMR) cable and a fiber optic cable. The submarine power cables will be produced at Prysmian’s plants in Pikkala, Finland, and Arco Felice, Italy, and the submarine fiber cables will be manufactured in Nordenham, Germany. The underground power cables to be used will cover both the DC31 and the underground part of the NOR-11-1 project will be produced in France.
Prysmian was also deemed a primary supplier for Lot7, which consists of a framework provision allowing 50Hertz to contract future 525 kV offshore and/or onshore projects with a cable core length volume of up to 2,700 km within an agreed period, and burial of offshore cables.
“We are happy to collaborate and strengthen our partnership with 50Hertz on these important projects and contribute to the German ‘Energiewende’ with our solutions and experience, supporting the growth of green energy use in Germany and around the world,” said Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects BU, Prysmian Group.
Hellenic Cables has won the contract to design, manufacture, transport, and install a package of four 220 kV HVAC export cables to connect the Baltyk II and Baltyk III wind farms in the Polish Baltic Sea to shore.
A press release said that the project—developed by the joint venture of Equinor and Polenergia, Baltyk II and Baltyk III—will each have a capacity of 720 MW and connect to the onshore grid via a total of four HVAC submarine cables with a combined length of 256 km.
Baltyk II and Baltyk III will be two of the first operational offshore wind farms in Poland, supporting the country in its transition to renewable energy. Hellenic Cables is part of a consortium that includes the De Nul Group, which will install them.
“We are proud that Equinor and Polenergia have awarded us to install the export cables for these 2 important Polish projects and their recognition of the combined capabilities of Jan De Nul and Hellenic Cables,” said Wouter Vermeersch, Manager Offshore Cables at Jan De Nul Group.
The companies will execute the connection of the two Baltyk wind farms to shore in 2026. The design and manufacture of the HVAC cables will be performed at Hellenic Cables’ plant in Corinth, Greece.
Lake Cable, a fourth-generation U.S. wire and cable manufacturer, celebrated the official opening on Oct. 16 of the company’s newest expansion: an existing 180,000-sq-ft building formerly owned by bearings manufacturer Regal Beloit that is located adjacent to its plant on Evans Avenue in Valparaiso, Indiana.
“Lake Cable is very proud to be a member of the great Valparaiso community,” said Lake Cable CEO Bill Runzel, who was joined by Valparaiso, state and other leaders in celebrating the opening of the company’s newest facility. “This new facility allows Lake Cable to continue to expand our successful industrial power insulated cable business.”
Runzel noted that since Lake Cable started its plant in Valparaiso in 2013, the operation has grown to 368,000 square feet under roof and nearly 200 employees. In the last two years, the company has invested more than $7.5 million in new equipment, and it will be installing new production lines and hiring more people from the Valparaiso community in the next few years.
The company had long been interested in the Regal Beloit building, which was closed, but it had only become available a while ago. It was in good shape, and the extra capacity it will offer Lake Cable makes it a sound addition.
Established in 1995, Lake Cable has more than 620 employees throughout its five locations in Indiana and Illinois. Lake Cable manufactures UL listed low voltage electronic, industrial, utility, custom OEM and broadcast quality cable.
Lake Cable also believes in giving back to charities such as MS and pediatric cancer, by actively supporting a wide range of fund-raising events over the years. Some of those include the Veterans Airlift Command, the Runzel Brothers Spring Shoot and MuckFest MS Chicago.
Cabopol Polymer Compounds (Cabopol), a Portuguese supplier of thermoplastic and crosslinked compounds, announced that it is expanding its global presence with a new production unit in Monterrey, Mexico.
A company spokesman said that the new plant, which will cover some 10,000 sq m, is located in the heart of Monterrey’s industrial zone. It is expected to be operational by year’s end, at which time it will represent the company’s first compounding production in the Americas.
A press release said that the plant will use the latest technology and equipment to produce high-quality polymer compounds at a competitive cost. It will start with two production lines with annual capacity of 25,000 tons and be able to expand that to meet its commitment to growth and innovation in the polymer industry.
The new production unit will initially focus on supplying compounds for the wire and cable industry, with a specific emphasis on serving the automotive sector. The new capacity will improve supply chain efficiency and reduce lead times for customers in the Mexican and American markets. Future plans include expanding offerings to provide solutions for a broader range of industries. “In the first stage, we will supply Mexican clients, but we are looking forward to develop the market all along South and Northern American potential customers.”
The press release said that this initiative “will pave the way for our expansion in this region.” It notes that it follows the successful operations of company production units in Serbia, Morocco and Portugal. Cabopol Sales Director Anselmo Mendes said that the Monterrey plant “marks a pivotal moment for (us). ... We are excited to better serve our customers and contribute to the growth of the local economy.”
Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA recently opened its second manufacturing plant in Denton, Texas, USA, with an opening ceremony attended by a range of elected officials as well as customers, suppliers and shareholders.
A press release said that the completed first phase of the new Denton plant increases Madem-Moorecraft total current production capacity by 50% (150 truckloads of kits/month). Next year, phase two will be completed, providing an additional 50% capacity increase. The total investment will top $14 million and create more than 100 jobs. Madem-Moorecraft currently supplies wood and plywood reels to 42 cable manufacturing plants in the U.S.
Marcos Conde Ramalho, president of Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA, said that the new plant represents the company’s most advanced industrial engineering project. “This manufacturing system is made up of innovative machinery, and brings pride to the Madem-Moorecraft team and Madem Group worldwide. It all has been designed to deliver unparalleled wooden and plywood reel experience to the North American cable industry.”
“The Denton team is very excited for the future of this facility. We could not have done this without the support from the Tarboro North Carolina team and the Madem Group team in Brazil!” said Josh McCoy, general manager of Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA.
Expanding the assembly and distribution network is a key to the company’s future, said Stephen J. Redhage, vice president and general manager. “Having two manufacturing plants provides that foundation.”
The Madem Group is a world leader in wooden reel manufacturing, supplying more than 200 cable manufacturers in some 45 countries. It has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, USA, Spain and Bahrain.
A joint venture between NKT HV Cables AB—part of the NKT Group—and Walsin Lihwa recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a submarine cable plant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The factory will produce high- and medium-voltage AC offshore power cables, mainly for the Taiwanese offshore wind market.
A press release said that the JV, to be called Walsin Energy Cable System Co., Ltd., is expected to be completed in 2025, and fully operational in 2027, at which time it will be Taiwan’s first such cable plant. Located in the Phase One area of the Kaohsiung Intercontinental Container Terminal, the submarine cable plant will have a site area of 233,888 sq m and 59,828 sq m of building area. The plant will produce high-voltage export and inter array cables for offshore wind turbine power generation.
The partnership pairs the resources of the NKT Group, which has advanced submarine cable technologies, with Walsin Lihwa, an industrial conglomerate whose production includes a wide range of power cables and wire. Established in 1966, Walsin Lihwa Corporation has more than 10,000 employees across Taiwan, China, USA, Italy, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is based in Taipei, Taiwan.
“Local production ensures a steady supply of submarine cables, a critical component for the development of offshore wind power generation industry, and of strategic importance to Taiwan’s grid resilience,” said Walsin Lihwa Chairman Yu-Lon Chiao, who observed that the collaboration “marks a significant milestone in the development of Walsin Lihwa’s power cable business. Together, we intend to establish close relationships with our key customers, Taiwan wind power developers, as a preferred supplier of high quality and price competitive submarine cables.”
Will Hendrikx, COO and Deputy CEO of NKT, said that the company is honored to be a partner in the project. “With Walsin being a reputable and strong cable maker, combined with NKT’s experience in submarine cables, we see a great opportunity to establish a local champion for submarine cable production.”
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