Elizabeth Bonfield, who will perform the traditional clockwinding ceremony Oct. 3 at WAI’s office in Madison, Connecticut, has a sterling background that makes her a superb U.K. industry representative.

Bonfield has worked at the director level in the engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors for the past 20 years. As managing director of three vocational awarding bodies, she spent 10 years creating opportunities for individuals and businesses in training and qualifications. She currently works as an executive coach & trainer for Skills 4 UK in Leeds, a U.K. leading consultancy for diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Bonfield chaired a steering group that successfully delivered a Skills 4 program into the U.K. engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors to address the skills shortages faced due to the lack of retention and progression of women and prior experience at the British Manufacturing Plant Constructors Association. She also arranges the National Metals Apprentice of the Year awards in categories Craft and Career Development on behalf of the Worshipful Company of the Tin Plate alias Wire Workers. Multiple members of the company have previously wound the clock.

The most recent clockwinder, Martin Thacker, had the unique experience of serving for three years, the first two times (2020 and 2021) being virtual. Thacker—whose grandfather was a wiredrawer in Sheffield, and his father worked for Markham and Company Ltd., as did his uncle—appeared the third time in the flesh on Nov. 3, 2022.

The clockwinding tradition originated when John Rigby and Sons, Ltd. of Manchester, England, presented the Wire Association with a 400-day grandfather clock at its Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 1948.
The gesture, which represented a group of 32 companies from Great Britain, was made in appreciation of the support given by the U.S. wire industry to Great Britain during World War II.

The massive mahogany case, standing about eight feet high, was made about the year 1770. The clock’s lacquered brass and silvered dial is hand engraved and bears around the arch an ancient sundial motto reminding us that “Time can neither be kept nor destroyed.”

Each year a representative from the U.K. makes the trip to the U.S. to participate in the annual ceremony that commemorates the friendship and communication between the two nations.
The clock resides in the lobby of the Wire Association International headquarters in Madison, Connecticut.

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WAI’s Ohio Valley Chapter once again proved that education and golf make a good mix. On Aug. 24, 70 attendees participated in a busy day that began with a round of golf, followed by a triple-decker educational program followed by much camaraderie and networking at the awards ceremony, including an official announcement that led to a standing ovation.

Chapter President Tom Maxwell told the record-size audience that a scholarship program will be launched in January 2024: the Ohio Valley Chapter will offer up to two awards in the inaugural year. The audience’s response made it clear that they were thrilled with the new program.

“It was one of those moments that every single person who was there will long remember and be proud of,” Maxwell said later. “It makes the chapter experience that much better when you can pitch in and make a direct difference.”
Maxwell credited the Chapter’s board of directors for the growing popularity of the event, which combines education and golf. This year’s educational program was well received. It began with Rick Bray, a WAFIOS Machinery Corp. application and service technician, whose presentation was “Butt welding and annealing correctly.” The second session, presented by Tamara Girard and Miranda Garritano, environmental specialists from Ohio EPA, was “Resources to help you reduce waste, save money, and achieve compliance.” The final one, by Greg Viland, business development engineer, and Jeff Terrell, head of training, both from Sikora International, was “Using X-Ray technology and eccentricity devices to measure the wall thickness on a jacketed wire and cables.”

This marks the fourth time the Chapter has produced the combined educational and golf outing, which has found a first-rate home at the Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio. There was some question about the timing of the event, as it is usually held in late September or early October, rather than the last week of August, and the board will mull that over, factoring in the success of this year’s program.
And yes, there was a golf tournament, which was won by the team of Cliff Goss and Brock Braun of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, and Chris Skidmore of OmniSource. They shot a very respectable 10 under par 72 to walk away with the bragging rights.

The Chapter also introduced its leaders. That includes Maxwell continuing as president, joined by directors Brad Andrews, Condat; Rick Bray, WAFIOS; Mark MacKimm, Rainbow Rubber; Steve Wright, Blachford; John Leffler, Enkotec; Dave Rascati, Premier Wire Die; and Past President Rob Fulop, Wire Lab Co.

Contest sponsors included Bechem Lubrication Technology, G&S Bar and Wire, Chemetall North America and Rainbow Rubber. Corporate sponsors were Blachford, Condat, Die Quip, Enkotec, The MGS Group, George Mitchell, Omnisource, Rainbow Rubber, Paramount Die, Premier Wire Die, WAFIOS Machinery and Windak.

The Ohio Valley scholarship program
The WAI Ohio Valley Chapter established its scholarship program—to be administered by The Wire Foundation—to improve educational opportunities for academically qualified high school seniors or college students who are children, grandchildren or dependents of members.
The Chapter made this commitment to reinforce the value of higher education in today’s society and to provide members with an opportunity to benefit from their membership in WAI and the Chapter.
Up to two scholarships will be awarded for use in defraying the cost of the award winners’ freshman or subsequent year of college. Scholarships will be awarded up to $1,500 per recipient with preference as (1) two-year accredited technical school or associates program enrollee and/or one (1) accredited four-year college or university enrollee. Requirements follow.
• The student must either be a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year technical school, college or university.
• The student must be the child, grandchild or dependent of a WAI Ohio Valley Chapter member in good standing as of the date of application.
• Current WAI Ohio Valley Chapter Scholarship Committee Members whose children/grandchildren/dependents apply during the current year must recuse themselves from the voting process.
• Any planned field of study is acceptable.
• No financial information is required; however, special circumstances will be considered.
Contact: Corey Flynn, WAI manager of member services, tel. 203-453-2777 x 128,
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Want to become a chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.