Fort Wayne Wire Die Inc. President Eric Bieberich recently sent the Wire Association International a photo showing the WAI flag flying alongside the U.S. flag at the company’s headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Bieberich, who is serving as WAI’s 2025 president, continued the tradition by displaying the flag, which WAI provides to each current president to be flown during their term.

This custom, embraced in recent years, highlights the close relationship between WAI leadership and its member companies and serves as a visual symbol of industry pride and association identity throughout the president’s tenure.

Aurora Material Solutions announced news about five positions in recent months. Renee Havrilla was named president of the company’s flexible compounds business segment. Most recently, she served as vice president of the solvents business for Monument Chemical in Indianapolis, Indiana. She previously held roles as vice president of global compounds for Westlake Corporation and general manager of the polyurethane spray foam business for Bayer Material Science (now Covestro). She holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. Daniel Lowery was named technology director of the company’s engineered thermoplastics (ETP) business segment. He most recently worked for EMS-Chemie, where he managed a team developing and commercializing specialty polyamides in niche markets. He also held leadership roles at Ascend Performance Materials, SABIC/GE and Eastman Kodak. Juan Bravo was named business development and technology manager for rigid specialties. He previously worked for Cruz Foam in Santa Cruz, California, where he most recently served as senior director of technology/operations. He has also worked for Struktol Company of America, Ferro Corporation, Trim-Tex, Alloyd Company, and Arlington Mills in various technical and management roles. He holds a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico. He has co-authored multiple patents in polymer and foam technologies. Megan Kravec was named a market segment manager, industrial. She previously worked at Valtris Specialty Chemicals in Independence, Ohio, as global product manager/operational marketing manager for polymer modifiers. She also worked for PPG Industries for 18 years in multiple technical roles and has extensive experience in product development, technical service and market development. She holds a B.S. degree in biology and chemistry and an MBA from Bowling Green State University. Brian Bejcek was named a regional sales manager. He has a proven track record of selling into distribution channels, OEMs and direct customers. He previously worked at EMS-Chemie (Grivory) North America, where he most recently served as distribution manager. Prior employers include PolyOne/Avient and EcoLab & Rogan Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and a plastics engineering certificate from the American Injection Molding Institute. Based in Streetsboro, Ohio, Aurora Material Solutions makes custom PVC compounds and engineered polymers for sectors that include wire and cable.

Héctor Ferrer has been appointed segment manager, insert blanks & gears, at Hyperion Materials & Technologies. He has some eight years with the company, serving in roles that included business development specialist - carbide metal cutting, application engineer - metal forming and application engineer & product specialist - metal forming. He holds a B.S. degree in materials engineering from the Universitat de Barcelona. Based in Dublin, Ohio, Hyperion Materials & Technologies makes materials used to manufacture carbide nibs and wire die blanks, as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) blanks

International Wire Group Holdings Inc. (IWG), one of the largest manufacturers of copper wire in the United States, announced the acquisition of Hussey Copper, a Pennsylvania-based producer of copper products for industrial and infrastructure markets.

A press release said that the deal consolidates two long-established names in copper manufacturing and signals IWG’s intent to expand its market share across North America. Founded in 1859, Hussey Copper is best known for its production of copper bus bars, sheet and plate products, which serve power generation, transmission, and industrial applications. The company operates facilities in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, and Eminence, Kentucky, and has long been recognized as one of the nation’s key domestic suppliers of copper plate and strip.

International Wire Group, headquartered in Camden, New York, manufactures bare, plated, and engineered wire products used in electrical infrastructure, automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. The company operates more than a dozen facilities in the U.S., Poland, and Italy, and is known for its vertically integrated wire solutions. 

WB Alloys, a U.K.-based wire alloy manufacturer, has announced plans to establish its first U.S. production facility, marking a significant milestone in the company’s international expansion. The plant, located in Virginia, represents a $6.6 million investment and is expected to create 30 jobs.

A press release said that WB Alloys, founded in 1974, produces alloy wire for welding, designs weld monitoring systems, and develops equipment for additive manufacturing. The company currently operates seven facilities in the U.K. and one in the Middle East. The new Danville site will become its first in the U.S.

Company executives said that the move was designed to strengthen WB Alloys’ ability to serve the U.S. defense and advanced manufacturing sectors. The Virginia facility will primarily support the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense, which are expanding investment in domestic manufacturing capacity. “Opening our first U.S. facility is a strategic milestone,” said company spokesperson Richie Barker. “The market is growing quickly, and this positions us to serve American customers more efficiently while aligning with defense industry priorities.”

The company added that proximity to advanced manufacturing partners in Virginia—such as FasTech, Phillips Corporation and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research—was a critical factor in its location decision. WB Alloys already supplies FasTech with alloy products for 3D printing and machining, giving it a built-in customer and partner base in the U.S.

By localizing production, WB Alloys expects to reduce lead times and improve responsiveness to its American clients, particularly as defense supply chains move toward more resilient, domestic sourcing. Almost all of the 30 new roles will be filled by U.S. workers, with the potential to expand operations if demand grows.