JDR Cable Systems (JDR), part of the TFK Group, has won a contract to supply, test and terminate the 66 kV dynamic inter-array cables (IAC) for independent renewable energy producer Qair’s floating offshore wind Eolmed pre-commercial 30 MW project.
A press release said that the Eolmed project is located in the south of France, 18 km off the coast of Gruissan and Port-La Nouvelle in the Occitanie region. It will connect the wind project to the French Electricity Transmission Network (RTE), providing approximately 100 million kWh per year of power. The site will have three wind turbines anchored to the seabed in a water depth of some 60 meters.
JDR will manufacture the 66 kV dynamic cables at TFK’s Bydgoszcz plant in Poland, with final assembly and testing at JDR’s U.K. plant in Hartlepool. The cabling is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2024.
JDR Sales Director John Price noted that the company recently worked on Eoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion’s floating wind project. That experience is helpful as projects continue to involve deeper water depths that require more complete planning analysis.
The contract stems from France’s aim to have 40 GW of offshore wind capacity in operation by 2050. The release said there are some 50 projects to meet that goal, and that Qair was preselected for four of the first eight tenders.
Organizers report that the recent first staging of the wire and Tube Eurasia trade fairs, held within the framework of the two established Turkish trade fairs Wire TECH Istanbul and Tube & Steel Istanbul, was a great success. Wire TECH Istanbul and Tube & Steel Istanbul 2023 were organized by Tüyap, a leading Turkish trade fair organizer and venue operator, while Messe Düsseldorf was in charge of wire and Tube Eurasia 2023.
A press release said that 210 exhibitors participated over 8,000 sq m of net exhibit space in the four events in Istanbul. More than 10,000 visitors from Turkey and neighboring countries came to the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center to learn about innovations and trends in the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries.
“A promising start to the premiere in Istanbul. A positively charged atmosphere in the exhibition halls right from the start - that makes you want more. The four days of the trade fair in Istanbul have shown that Turkey is a supra-regional hub for the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries,” said Bernd Jablonowski, executive director of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.
With just five months preparation, the Messe Düsseldorf team and Tüyap succeeded in organizing a compact industry platform for Turkey and the surrounding regions which reflects the sectors’ innovation strength.
Starting in 2025, wire and Tube Eurasia will be held every two years as independent trade fairs at the Istanbul location. From Turkey, there are short trade routes to the neighboring countries and Asia, which means that the most important target countries can be reached. With wire and Tube Eurasia, the global network of satellite events in Messe Düsseldorf’s wire, Tube & Flow Technologies portfolio continues to grow. This year, satellite trade fairs will take place in Egypt, China and Thailand.
For further information on visiting or exhibiting at wire or Tube Eurasia 2025, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312-781-5180 or info@mdna, and visit www.wire-eurasia.com and www.tube-eurasia.com.
LS Cable & System announced in Korea IT Times that it has signed an MOU with the Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI) for cooperation in next-generation optical communication technology for advanced communication systems such as 5G and 6G. The two companies plan to expand optical communication technology cooperation and human exchange, starting with the development of multi-core optical fiber. “Multicore optical fiber is so difficult that only a few European and Japanese companies have succeeded in developing it. ... We have an ability to overcome the technical challenges associated with multi-core optical fiber development.”
... Southwire’s President and CEO Rich Stinson added to his long string of industry accolades, being named the 2023 Most Respected Business Leader by Georgia Trend!, a monthly magazine covering business and finance in Georgia. The publication did a lengthy piece outlining the company’s accomplishments under his leadership, both financially as well as its approach to sustainability and employee diversity.
... Chroma Color Corporation announced that it was recently awarded a Silver rating from EcoVadis for 2023. “After receiving the Bronze award last year ... we implemented programs to become more cognizant of the use of our resources such as reduction of water usage, improving air quality, reuse of scrap materials, and reduction of electricity usage. We will continue to identify additional areas where we can reduce our carbon footprint and become more socially mindful and responsible as it is the right and good thing to do for all of us and our future,” said Chroma Color’s Corporate Quality & Regulatory Manager Jennifer Presnell.
... SIKORA AG reports that it was named a “Germany’s innovation leader 2023” by the F.A.Z.-Institut, which analyzes worldwide patent applications from over 500 technology and knowledge areas. It evaluates the number of patents submitted in the last 10 years and their relevance. Last year, SIKORA, which annually invests about 10% of its revenue in R&D, was named an innovation leader for “Measuring, testing.” It was cited again in 2023, for the category for “Processing of plastics.”
... The Prysmian Group announced the availability of its Lifeline® RC90 fire resistive cables in Canada. The cables officially received its ULC-S139 listing and meet all the requirements of the Canadian National Building and Electrical Safety Codes and is now available for immediate implementation across the country within a variety of industries, including healthcare facilities, transportation networks and more
Following the successful staging of Interwire 2023, the WAI is now focused on the 2024 WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo (Wire Expo), and it all starts with the points meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11.
The Association will return June 11-12, 2024, to the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. It ably hosted Wire Expo 2016 and had been scheduled to do so again in 2020 before Covid upended those plans.
The Wire Expo show floor saw a total of 240 companies represented on the show floor, and WAI Director of Sales Shannon Timme, CEM, wants companies interested in being there to be prepared for the Points Meeting. Exhibitors must be in good standing and have submitted their contract with full payment.
The Points Meeting determines the order in which exhibitors get to choose a location. The following parameters affect the points system: years of exhibiting, square footage (or size) of stands and continuity of years exhibiting.
Points for the system include exhibit space at WAI’s Wire Expo and Interwire shows. Exhibitors must have proof of insurance before they can take part in the Points Meeting. For more details, contact Timme at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The WAI’s Midwest Chapter reported a sound success for its 20th annual golf tournament, held at the prestigious St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois. There were 72 slots, and all were taken by golfers who got to enjoy what proved to be a wonderful day.
The tournament began on a high note with a delightful breakfast, where participants fueled up for the thrilling day ahead. As the sun peeked through the clouds, the golfers gathered for the shotgun start at the meticulously maintained greens and challenging fairways of St. Andrews. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with camaraderie and friendly competition, as players showcased their skills and enjoyed the game.
The winning team, from Lake Cable—Daniel Pelzel, Dan Borst, Justin Albright and Jack Rosenthal—proved to be unstoppable, shooting a very respectable 57 to grab top honors and bragging rights. The company had a strong presence at the event as Cooper Runzel, vice president of insulating manufacturing at Lake Cable, LLC, had signed up 16 of his employees to participate in the tournament.
John Markowski, WAI’s manager, membership & social media—who attended the event and also went on a tour of Lake Cable’s plant—said that he was impressed by Runzel’s support of the event. “It is inspiring to see a leader who fosters a strong sense of community within their organization, committed to employee engagement and team spirit.”
A long-time key organizer for the golf tournament, Kevin Sopczak, said that the event went off without a hitch. It made for a great day to see everyone enjoying themselves, he said. As a sidenote, he noted that he has left his position at Liberty Steel and now works for Castle Metals, which has a product range that includes some wire, so he remains in the industry and plans to continue helping out with future chapter activities.
Markowski said that Sopczak’s dedication, leadership and tireless work were instrumental in organizing and executing this memorable event. “His unwavering commitment to the industry and the Midwest Chapter is truly commendable.”
Following the golf, participants convened for a well-deserved reception, dinner and awards presentation. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement as the tournament’s winners were announced and celebrated for their outstanding performances. The event provided an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to network, share experiences and forge new connections.
Chapter officials thanked event sponsors for their generous support. That included Liberty Steel (Accurate Drive); Chemetall North America, Merit Steel and Traxit North America LLC (Closest-to-the-Pin); Micro Wire, The Rubicon Group and Worth Steel & Machinery Inc. (Long Drive). Also, Charter Steel, D&S Wire, Fort Wayne Wire Die Inc, Ivaco Rolling Mills, Lake Michigan Metals, OmniSource, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS and Tri Star Metals (corporate hole sponsorships). Their collective commitment and support contributed significantly to the overall success of the event, which helps support the scholarship program.
Markowski said that while golfers thrive on the sport, there was more to it than just that. “This event not only celebrated two decades of camaraderie and industry excellence but also fostered meaningful connections and friendships among the participants. ... Here’s to another 20 years of success, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments at WAI’s Midwest Chapter Golf Tournament. Until next year, may your drives be accurate, your putts be precise, and your spirits high!”
IEWC has named Martin Rohde as president and chief business officer of its Global Infrastructure Group, tasked will leading the newly formed infrastructure business that was created earlier this year to focus on growth industries such as telecom, data centers, solar and renewable energies, power grids, and industrial automation. He has more than 25 years of experience in the B2B distribution space, and led transformational business changes at Arrow Electronics, Hewlett Packard, Amazon Business, and most recently, Parts Town. He will oversee IEWC’s telecom brands (Cablecon and Jupiter Communications), IEWC’s Premier Cables business in Europe, as well as lead business development within other infrastructure markets. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, IEWC is a global distributor of wire and cable products, a manufacturer of custom fiber assemblies, and a provider of value-add solutions that advance a connected world.
Southwire announced a series of personnel news. Norman Adkins, Southwire’s president of Wire and Cable and COO, will assume responsibility for the company’s Tools, Components and Assembled Solutions (TCAS) business. He replaces Brandon Moss, who resigned to take a role outside the company. Peter Lugo, senior vice president of product management, will report to Adkins and lead Southwire’s TCAS business. Alan Bearden, senior vice president of strategic integration, will now report to Guyton Cochran, executive vice president and CFO. Based in Carrollton, Georgia, Southwire Company is a world-leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of building wire and utility cable.
Brad Andrews was promoted to senior marketing manager wire drawing, North America, at Condat Corporation. He joined the company in 2016, serving as marketing manager, North America. Prior to that he worked in related industrial companies for some 29 years, including Bazetta Steel Processing, Capital Steel & Wire, Solon Wire Processing, BCS Industries/BSC Metal Prep, LLC, and Metal Processing Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree in business administration and management from Ohio University. He was also an instructor in WAI’s Fundamentals of Wire & Cable Manufacturing course at Interwire 2023. Based in Saline, Michigan, USA, Condat Corporation supplies lubricants and coatings to sectors that include the wire and cable industry.
Belden Inc. announced that Jay Wirts, president of smart buildings, has been appointed to the newly created position of executive vice president of enterprise solutions. He was cited for his extensive industry experience and track record of driving operational excellence that make him the right fit to drive future growth at the Enterprise Solutions segment. He joined Belden in 2018, and most recently served as president of Smart Buildings, where he was responsible for operations, product development, and financial performance. Prior to that, he served in other leadership roles at Belden including vice president and general manager of Industrial Cable Solutions within the Industrial Automation Solutions segment. Prior to Belden, he served in various roles in Emerson and Vertiv following more than six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University and an MBA from Northwestern University. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Belden Inc. is a leading global supplier of network infrastructure solutions.
Matt Wasinger has joined National Standard as the new district sales manager/industrial wires, responsible for managing distributors and end users for the company’s industrial wire portfolio. He has a strong background, with experience in welding and industrial product sales. Most recently he worked as a business development specialist. He has held sales positions with Fastenal Company, Praxair, Brennan Industries and Matheson Tri-Gas. A member of The Heico Companies, National Standard produces a range of wire at its plants in Niles, Michigan, and Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Service Wire has promoted Ron Spozio to regional sales manager for the pump and irrigation markets of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He joined the company in 2022 and has over 19 years of sales experience in the metal industry. He holds a degree in humanities from the University of Houston. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire is a family-owned wire and cable manufacturer.
Joe Cebulski has been named a US country manager for Mattr Connection Technologies DSG-Canusa & Shawflex. He has 30 years of industry experience, starting in 1992 with Rome Cable, where he was a regional vice president. In 2003 he joined Shawcor, where he was a country manager for the piping company. In June 2023, Shawcor rebranded to Mattr, “reflecting its transformation from an energy services organization, into a materials technology company, providing differentiated, high-performance products to critical infrastructure markets around the world.” He attended La Salle University. Based in Toronto, Mattr has three business segments, one of which is Connection Technologies, which includes Shawflex, a manufacturer of engineered wire, cable and assemblies.
Fil-Tec Inc. announced the promotion of Christine Lovett to vice president, responsible for the global business development of the company’s wire and cable business unit. Since joining Fil-Tec, she has served as director of business development for specialty coated fibers used in the cable industry. She has been active in new product development, various process improvement and quality programs as well as customer development. Prior to joining Fil-Tec, Lovett served some 24 years in roles of increasing responsibility at industry suppliers LLFlex, Sonoco and Zumbach. Based in Hagerstown, Maryland, Fil-Tec is a leading global supplier of technical fibers (binders, fillers and ripcords) to cable manufacturers.
NKT has signed a contract to supply the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) onshore power cable system for the Hertel-New York project, which is the Canadian transmission line in the U.S. that will connect to the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line.
A press release said that NKT will design and manufacture a 2 x 60 km 400 kV HVDC onshore cable system that has an estimated value of €90 million. The power cables will be produced in Karlskrona, Sweden, and are expected to be delivered in 2024.
As a part of the overall transmission of sustainable hydropower from Canada to New York City, Hertel-New York will facilitate the onshore power transmission from the Hertel substation in Quebec, Canada, to the submarine section that continues to the U.S. border, where it connects to the CHPE transmission line. Once completed, the transmission line, one of the largest infrastructure investments in the history of New York, will help the state meet its goals of having 70% of power generation and consumption come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
“I am very satisfied that we have been awarded the contract for Hertel-New York which further cements our position as a key partner in ensuring the transmission of renewable power to New York,” said NKT President & CEO Alexander Kara. “This is a key project for NKT, and we are looking forward to close collaboration with Hydro-Québec. We aspire to continue to expand our market presence in Canada and the U.S. where we expect the green transition to create additional growth opportunities.”
The Interwire trade exposition held in Atlanta from May 8-11, 2023, provided the perfect backdrop for two remarkable Chapter Board meetings which demonstrated commitment to growth, collaboration, and fostering the next generation of leaders.
Western Chapter. After an eight-year hiatus, the Western Chapter emerged from its slumber with a renewed sense of purpose. Committed volunteers from the region, including California and Texas, took the reins to form the new Western Chapter Board. Their primary objective: to revitalize the chapter, forge connections and promote the benefits of joining the vibrant wire industry.
The board used this in-person meeting opportunity to begin discussing the groundwork and layout. Essentially, a roadmap of what is needed to set their plans in motion. The first order of business is to build a strong member base, actively reaching out to professionals and organizations throughout the Western region. Emphasizing the power of networking, the board aims to create a dynamic platform where industry experts can exchange knowledge, establish meaningful connections, and foster collaborations.
Again, this is still the early stage, but it is an exciting one that will take time to develop, and the leadership roles in the Western Chapter will be defined as more progress is made.
As part of their revitalization efforts, the Western Chapter Board discussed hosting a small golf tournament in 2024. Stay tuned as details develop over the coming months. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Association’s Western Chapter at this time, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ohio Valley Chapter. The Ohio Valley Chapter focused on finalizing details for their highly anticipated golf tournament scheduled for August 24. Designed to provide participants with both enjoyment and educational value, the tournament will include three insightful sessions on industry trends, developments and best practices.
As a testament to their commitment to fostering future talent, the Ohio Valley Chapter continues work to unveil their new scholarship program, slated to launch in 2024. The chapter has developed an official criteria and eligibility sheet, which will be circulated among members soon.
Reported by WAI Membership Manager John Markowski
Service Wire reported multiple personnel news. Matt Shumway has been promoted to national sales manager for the utility market, responsible for driving specification approvals and increasing market share nationwide. He joined the company as a regional sales manager, utility. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio. Shane Berry has been promoted to vice president, manufacturing and distribution. He joined the company as director, human resources, in 2018, and in 2021 became director, manufacturing and distribution. Prior to that, he served for about two years as general manager/project manager for ArcelorMittal USA. He holds an MBA from Virginia Tech, and an M.S. degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a B.S. degree in psychology from Radford University. Tanner Beckett will serve the wire and cable electrical distribution markets of Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. He has more than six years of industry experience and holds a B.A. degree in geography from Marshall University. Hillary Rowe now represents accounts in the greater Houston metropolitan area. She has more than five years of sales experience in a variety of industrial markets. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire is a family-owned wire and cable manufacturer.
Claes Westerlind was named CEO of NKT. He became part of the company in 2017 when NKT acquired ABB HV Cables in Sweden. Since 2019, he had served as executive vice president, Solutions Karlskrona, and was a member of the global leadership team. He was instrumental in the company’s achieving record orders for high-voltage cable as well as leading the investment and expansion programs in Karlskrona that were launched in 2020. He previously worked in various technical, sales and managerial roles at ABB (now Hitachi Energy) from 2006-2017. He replaces Alexander Kara who left the company for personal reasons. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, NKT manufactures power cables and power cable accessories for the on- and offshore energy sector.
LaserLinc has two recent hires. Danielle Van Auken is the company’s newest buyer. She has more than 20 years of professional and managerial experience. Col Mogdlin has joined LaserLinc’s engineering department as a mechanical draftsman. Based in Fairborn, Ohio, LaserLinc is supplier of testing and measuring equipment.
Obituary
Larry Dean Fitzgerald, a long-time extrusion industry veteran, died May 9, 2023, after a short illness at age 78. The Connecticut resident passed on the first full day of Interwire 2023, a fitting departure as he had long been a fixture at industry trade shows. Known as “the godfather of wire & cable,” he had a gruff exterior that was paired with a willingness to share his expertise. He held decades of key sales and marketing posts prior to his retirement from Graham Engineering late last year. Past employers included Ramco Inc. (1970-76); Xaloy, Inc., (1976-80); Maillefer Co., (1980-85); Nokia, Inc., (1985-88); Bristol Corp/Electrical Systems Division, (1988-90); Davis Electric Co./Merritt Davis Corp., (1990-2000); Entwistle Co. (2000-02); Merritt Extruder Corp., (2002-05); Davis-Standard LLC, (2005-12); then American Kuhne/Graham Engineering, where he retired but kept active until early in January, when medical issues forced the end of his lengthy career. A WAI Life Member, he was a member of its New England Chapter since 2006. He held a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University. He served with distinction in the military, including two tours in Vietnam. Survivors include a daughter, Alena Fitzgerald, and a son, Phillip Fitzgerald.
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (SEI) plans to establish a power cable factory in Scotland to serve the strong demand for power cable, an investment estimated to top £200 million and create 150 highly skilled green jobs.
A press release said that SEI has a proven track record of delivering power cables for offshore wind power projects around the world, including the U.K., Germany, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan’s first commercial offshore wind farms at Akita and Noshiro. Demand for more renewable energy and interconnected national and regional lines to achieve a decarbonized society has been especially strong in the European market. “In particular, the U.K. is expected to be one of the largest markets for power cables, as the country is planning a number of offshore wind power projects to achieve the Scottish government’s Net-zero 2045 and U.K.’s Net-zero 2050.”
SEI has seen a high degree of technical success with its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cross-linked polyethylene-insulated (XLPE) submarine cable system. It was used for the U.K.-Belgium interconnector (NEMO Link) and successfully completed the installation. The 400 kV HVDC XLPE cable system is the industry’s highest voltage in commercial operation even today. This has led SEI to win multiple global contracts, including a project connecting the U.K. and Ireland (Greenlink Interconnector) and one in Germany (Corridor A-Nord).
A meeting was held May 18 in Tokyo between U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Sumitomo Electric Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Matsumoto and President & COO Osamu Inoue. “I am greatly honored to hear the strong expectations of Prime Minister Sunak and U.K. government regarding our power cable factory investment in the U.K.,” Inoue said.
“I am absolutely delighted that Sumitomo Electric will be coming to Scotland,” said Neil Gray, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy. This significant announcement demonstrates the strength of confidence investors have in our vision for a net zero economy ... and be invaluable to supporting Scotland’s rapidly expanding offshore wind sector.”
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