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Wire Journal News

December 2022

Madison, Connecticut, USA. The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. announces the appointment of Kurt F. Breischaft as the 70th president of the association for a one-year term that commences on Jan. 1, 2023. Breischaft will chair the Board of Directors of the 93-year-old association, which is headquartered in Madison, Connecticut, USA.
Breischaft has more than 30 years’ experience in the copper industry. He is president of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, a copper rod and wire mill in New Haven, Indiana, a post he has held since November 2013. Prior to that Breischaft held roles of increasing importance including vice president and general manager of Cerro Plumbing, a Marmon Group/Berkshire Hathaway Company; plant manager for Belden Americas - Nogales, Mexico and Belden/Thermax; and positions as process engineer, engineering manager, plant manager, and manufacturing manager at the Essex Group, Inc./Superior Essex.

An active WAI member since 2000, Breischaft received its 2006 Wire Link Scholarship. His valuable contributions through volunteer leadership within the association include serving two terms on WAI’s Board of Directors; participation on WAI’s Executive and Oversight Committees; chair of its Member Relations Committee; and Executive Committee Liaisonship to its Finance, Memorial Awards, and Education Committees. In addition to his role as 2023 WAI president, Breischaft will serve as Co-Chair of its Conference Programming Committee, Chair of its Oversight Committee, and Executive Committee Liaison to its Education Committee.

Commenting on this new appointment, Breischaft said, “I look forward to advancing the latest WAI education initiative, developing multimedia training modules, and building on WAI’s legacy products such as handbooks. This will be a crucial step for the next generation of industry engineers and operators.”

Breischaft holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA, and an M.B.A. degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana, USA.

The Wire Association International, Inc. is governed by a network of volunteers from around the globe. Joining Breischaft for the 2023 term are members of the association’s 2023 Executive Committee: First Vice President Daniel Blais, Prysmian Group; Second Vice President Eric Bieberich, Fort Wayne Wire Die; David Fisher,
James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.; and Immediate Past President James R. York, Insteel Industries, Inc.

SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS is a joint venture between Steel Dynamics, Inc. and the La Farga Group. The company is driven by a team of just over 120 employees and utilizes a patented advanced refining process that melts environmentally friendly material as well as established shaft furnace technology. Both processes yield a high purity cast and rolled 8 mm copper rod product. Steel Dynamics Inc., headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, is a member of the S&P 500 and is one of the largest metals recyclers and metals producers in North America. La Farga Group, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain., has been has providing copper recycling solutions since 1808.

WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2000 individual members in 50 countries. The association serves the educational needs of the wire and cable manufacturing industry through a variety of products and services. WAI manages the Interwire Trade Exhibition and the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo and publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.

Media Contacts: Janice E. Swindells, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-2777, x. 117; Steven J. Fetteroll, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-1777.

Published in Industry News

The more AWI produces, the greener the company gets.

Alloy Wire International, which recently achieved carbon-negative business status, has taken that pledge even further, committing to plant a tree for every 100 kg of wire sold. Below, Managing Director Tom Mander discusses why it forms an important part of the company’s “Wired for Good” initiative.


Manufacturers contribute so much in the way of greenhouse gases that it’s up to companies like Alloy Wire International (AWI) to buck the trend and start giving back to the environment and the communities we operate in.

That’s why we have joined forces with JUST ONE Tree. The U.K.-based organization uses donations to fund reforestation projects, selecting partners to plant them based on criteria such as existing infrastructure, methodology, impact on community and tree survival rates. The trees are planted in countries, including Mozambique, Nepal, Haiti, Indonesia, Madagascar, Kenya and Zambia.

We believe that our commitment to sustainability is now stronger than ever. Based on the amount of wire AWI has sold between the months of January and June 2023, we have already donated over 1,500 trees to JUST ONE Tree.

Once grown, those trees will remove more than 300 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere over the next 25 years. Supporting the efforts of JUST ONE Tree is part of a wider picture where AWI is committed to becoming more environmentally friendly and to continue to act as a good citizen to the communities it operates in.

As part of our “Wired for Good” campaign, AWI partnered with Carbon Neutral Britain to offset emissions around its manufacturing, deliveries and even employee commuting, with our efforts seeing us become carbon negative in recent months.

Over the last 18 months, we have also donated £30,000 to local charities and good causes, with the latest recipient being Acorns Children’s Hospice to help it continue to provide respite, short breaks, end of life and emergency care across its three U.K. locations. We have been longterm admirers of the charity and the way it provides a homely environment where children can take part in a range of fun and therapeutic activities, from arts and crafts sessions to hydrotherapy.

This was the final donation to mark our 75th anniversary year and follows similar £7,500 gifts to Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge, the Chris Westwood Charity for Children with Physical Disabilities and the Giving Hands Mission.

For more on the organization, go to www.justonetree.life.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 16 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

From l-r, Alex Peach, Trish Weisberg, Bruce Kesler, Chuck Oldaker, Liz Weisberg, Louis Weisberg, Brad D. Smith, Avinandan Mukherjee, Rosie Brydie and Ron Area.

Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire Company is giving back to the community in a big way, through a very large pledge to Marshall University. Below, a company official explains why they chose to do this.


Service Wire Company has committed $1 million in financial resources and wire and cable products to the Marshall University Foundation. The donation will be used to help fund the new state-of-the-art facility being built in Huntington, West Virginia, for the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business.

“We are excited to expand upon an existing relationship with the university and the city of Huntington,” said Service Wire President and CEO Louis Weisberg. “We have a long-standing history partnering with Marshall University, and we are pleased to continue this legacy.”

Weisberg said that supporting the university benefits both entities. “Service Wire has always been committed to serving the communities in which our employees live and work. This dedication extends to educational institutions. By providing an outlet for our employees and their families to further their education and recruit new talent, we can better equip our growing workforce.”

The link with Marshall University has long been seen at Service Wire, Weisberg said. “We are proud to have Marshall University graduates in all departments across multiple locations, from accounting, sales and marketing to engineering, operations and executive management.” The university is about a half-hour drive away from Culloden.

Dr. Ron Area, CEO of the Marshall University Foundation, echoed the importance of the relationship between regional businesses and Marshall. “There is a great deal of excitement right now surrounding the new school of business and its impact on Marshall University and the surrounding area. He said that Weisberg and Service Wire Executive Vice President and CFO Chuck Oldaker have been a partner of the university for a long time. “This gift will help Marshall achieve its goals in transforming Huntington into a central hub for business innovation.”

“The College of Business’ cutting-edge curriculum will help attract new talent,” Oldaker said. “We can continue to support these individuals post-graduation by offering gainful employment opportunities in one of our nationwide locations or through our sales agent network.”

The facility is scheduled to open in January 2024. The university’s existing Transformative Sales and Service Excellence Center within the college will be renamed the Service Wire Company Transformative Sales and Service Excellence Center.

“Service Wire is proud to be a staple in the community. We have a long history of supporting West Virginia and the Tri-State region and are pleased to be able to continue this spirit of giving,” Weisberg said.

Founded in 1968, Service Wire Company is a multi-generation, family-owned wire and cable manufacturer. It has locations across the country, including West Virginia, Texas and Arizona, and a nationwide network of distributors and advanced distribution capabilities.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 15 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

Southwire Technician Specialist Bryan Cole was among the company volunteers from six states who helped communities in Florida that suffered widespread hurricane damage.

Southwire designates substantial funds every year to support a wide range of community programs that include lots of employee volunteers, but sometimes the unexpected happens, and then it is important to react to an unplanned emergency. Below, Southwire explains how it responded to such an event.


On Sept. 28, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwestern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread damage and leaving millions without power.

In response, Southwire’s Project GIFT hosted disaster relief drives across several of the company’s Giving Back communities. Through this effort, nearly six tractor-trailers full of much-needed supplies were collected for those impacted by the devastating storm.

Volunteers from Project GIFT and Southwire’s agent, John Carter & Associates (JCA), were on site for the delivery and distribution efforts at Cape Christian Church in Cape Coral, Florida, thanks to a connection made from Southwire customer, Wesco Anixter. Because of the tremendous level of support from Southwire employees and communities across the country, an additional donation of over $9,000 was made to Second Harvest Food Bank, which provided meals to those affected by the storm.

“I have worked with Southwire for more than 30 years and know that they are the best at responding with resources to help customers get their power back on,” said JCA President Ed Hanner. “After participating as a volunteer with the Southwire folks that came to Florida and seeing and hearing from the storm victims that received our help, I now know it is more than just a great program: it is truly something special. It’s hard for me to put into words how thankful we all are for the gifts from the volunteers at Southwire.”

Southwire’s disaster relief drive was made possible by the generosity of community members, employees, volunteers and Project GIFT teams from West Georgia and Heflin, Alabama; Bremen, Indiana; Huntersville, North Carolina; Medford, New York; York, Pennsylvania; and Denton, Texas. They came together with the same passion for helping and ensuring that the supplies made it to the families affected by this tragedy.

“As a native Floridian, I have seen my fair share of hurricanes and the everlasting trails of destruction they leave behind,” said Kyle Tafelski, Southwire regional sales manager for tools, components and assembled solutions. “I am beyond grateful to have participated in the Project GIFT effort. The opportunity to provide just an ounce of hope and joy to the families of southwest Florida is something that I will never forget.”


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 14 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

 

(Left) Zach James Wagner thanked soldiers for their service at the company’s Annual Veterans Day on Nov. 11. (Right) Minnesota Wire supports the University of Minnesota’s Racing Team.

Minnesota Wire, a 54-year-old family-owned business that specializes in manufacturing wire for defense and medical markets, cites “community” as being a core value. Below, the company explains what that includes.


The Minnesota Wire Charitable Giving Fund, established in 2001, has donated over $750,000. Minnesota Wire founders Fred and Nora Wagner created the fund that over the years has donated to organizations from adoption agencies and the Special Olympics to veteran’s organizations and homeless shelters. The company has assisted hundreds of different organizations/charities within its communities.

Beyond direct company donations, Minnesota Wire invites employees to suggest charities, and encourages them to give back through donations and/or volunteer time. Those include individual and team volunteer involvement grants, matching donations and charity donations. That translates to support of MS Bike Rides, Polar Plunges, highway clean up projects and support of local youth sports teams. But the company’s largest hosted event continues to be its Annual Veterans Day celebration, which was celebrated on Nov. 11, 2022.

The event honors area veterans and their families and is open to the public. Minnesota Wire and its employees are dedicated to providing life saving connections to soldiers, veterans and their families. This year marks our 13th Annual Event. The company hosts and sponsors it while employees do the event planning, recruit sponsorships, create literature/promotion, procure raffle prizes, arrange booths for area Veteran Services available, provide a free lunch and beer, arrange inspirational speakers, local school bands/choirs to perform, display military or classic vehicles and provide same day event staff. Pre-pandemic, the event served up to 600 free meals and was long the only Veterans Day Celebration in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The company offers employees who are Veterans paid time off to attend. We like to say, “Come to Thank a Vet ~ Stay for the BBQ!”

Minnesota Wire is inclusive, employing people with a multitude of various disabilities, and providing them the accommodations so they can perform their jobs successfully. It starts from home, as company Chairman/CEO Paul J. Wagner named the Eau Claire building where this happens after his beloved son, Zachary James Wagner, who thrives daily regardless of his intellectual disability (ZJ Enterprises). Zach, an Eagle Scout, regularly participates in the Veterans Day event.

The extended Wagner family operates a farm in Wisconsin for people with developmental challenges called Community Homestead. There, some 40 people of all ages and abilities celebrate land and human sustainability, run an organic dairy farm, an organic biodiverse garden and CSA, a bakery and food processing kitchen, a woodshop and many crafts. Not only does the company financially donate to the farm, Zach enjoys volunteering his time on the farm as well.

Minnesota Wire believes in strong STEM programs. At Eau Claire, the company partners with area middle schools to help promote STEM opportunities within the manufacturing sector. It provides monthly factory tours, speakers and “hands on” activities. At our R&D facility in St. Paul, the company welcomed astronaut Duane “Digger” Carey (http://astronautbiker.com/) as a guest speaker at their 50th Anniversary Celebration. In honor of his participation, the company donated to the Farnsworth Aerospace Charter School in St. Paul which serves pre K-8 STEM and aerospace programs. The company enjoys a long history of sponsorship and engineering support for the University of Minnesota Racing Team (Gopher Motorsports). Paul J. Wagner also devotes his time to being a mentor/judge in area high school Robotics/STEM groups and university level Robotics competitions.

Charity and giving back is more than a special occasion for Minnesota Wire, it is an essential part of who we are.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 13 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

In 2021, the Prysmian Group donated about €1,705,000 to local communities around the world in cash, in kind and in the form of time as part of the Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy policy it adopted in 2019. Below, the company discusses one of its smaller donations.


Large donations draw a lot of attention, but sometimes a small one is equally important. In 2021, Prysmian supplied the cables required for developing a photovoltaic system at Hôpital Général de Référence d’Uvira. Prysmian’s solutions were used to ensure that the local population in the Democratic Republic of Congo enjoys access to a more reliable and effective hospital service.

The hospital is located in Uvira, one of the country’s major cities. Unfortunately, Congo is constantly plagued by ethnic conflicts and indiscriminate exploitation of underground resources, which place the health of the population at risk. With the participation of various organizations and businesses, the EIS project seeks to provide the hospital with energy independence from the city’s power plants to prevent constant power outages, of which there are an average of 10 a day. The multiple blackouts inevitably impact the hospital’s services, particularly in some wards, where electricity is fundamental to saving lives, such as neonatal care and surgery.

Prysmian Group contributed to the project by donating about four km of medium-voltage cables required to build up a photovoltaic system composed of 152 photovoltaic modules and 48 batteries that ensures that the hospital has access to a reliable power supply, based on renewable, sustainable sources.

The system’s storage capacity of 155 kWh helps the hospital to maintain a constant energy output, complementing the power supplied by the local public utility. This way, the system can provide reliable power not just for the most sensitive wards of the hospital but for the entire facility.

The Group’s support made it possible to develop a photovoltaic system that captures solar energy. Prysmian Group is proud to have contributed to this humanitarian initiative, in collaboration with a non-profit organization, Progetto Sorriso Nel Mondo, donating a new source of energy to the Uvira community thanks to its cables.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 12 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

 

Optimus Steel volunteers help out at Market to Hope, a cause that saw both employees and their children take part. Based in Beaumont, Texas, Optimus Steel produces wire rods, coiled rebar and billets, but it also gives back to its local community and beyond. Below, Ed Goettl and Daniela Pineda offer two different “giving back” efforts.


On a Saturday morning at 8 am, when most people are thinking of having a hot cup of coffee, the Optimus team assembled at Market to Hope, a partner agency of the Southeast Texas Food Bank, supported by Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. The activity for the day included filling hundreds of boxes full of food for those in need throughout the community.

The team had representatives from every level of our organization. We are especially proud that spouses and children were gladly able to make their contributions to the effort with us. Our youngest team members were 8 and 11 years old! The activity commenced with food items being packed into boxes, in a well-organized assembly line, then filling carts that were delivered to those waiting in line. The activity was well organized, the team worked hard and had fun. We finished early and without any safety incidents. The process didn’t end with distributing the food as it also included disposal of boxes and a 5S (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) of the warehouse.

This was an important local effort, but Optimus Steel continues to believe in giving back on another level for the greater good. That’s why since 2020, in the name of our customers, we have supported One Tree Planted (OTP). The non-profit association, dedicated to reforestation, is active in 43 countries in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Since 2014, it has planted more than 40 million new trees. We are proud to say that some of those were donated quarterly in the names of our individual customers. At last count, together we have provided more than 60,000.

Our desire for the future is to continue supporting our customers, our employees, their families, the local community and the wider world by these and other concrete and measurable actions. All of this has helped our team become more aware of our relationship with those we impact, which motivates them to challenge us to do more.

For more on OTP, go to www.onetreeplanted.org.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 11 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

A group photo of Fort Wayne Metals staff after wielding hammers and nails for a local Habitat for Humanity project.

Fort Wayne Metals specializes in making precision wire-based products that are used for critical applications. Below, the company notes how helping out in the community is part of its overall mission.


Supporting the Fort Wayne, Indiana, community is a hallmark of our organization. It begins with our Chairman and CEO, Scott Glaze, who cares deeply about not only reinvesting in his employees, but in a variety of local causes and charities that are close to his heart. Scott’s passion for giving back is reflected in our people. As dedicated as our employees are to making lives better through the work they do, they desire just as much to improve lives in our own community by volunteering their time and talents.

At Fort Wayne Metals, there are plenty of opportunities for our employees to demonstrate their kindness and generosity. Responding to the pressing need for affordable housing, we teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne. In September, more than 50 people equipped with hammers, nails, saws and plenty of muscle collectively answered the call to help with a panel build on our campus. Working in teams, they constructed the outer walls for a home that now stands in our community. Since 2020, more than 200 employees in all have contributed time and effort in four panel builds that were used to create several homes.

For many years, our people have volunteered their time by participating in the annual United Way Day of Caring. Employees assist in a variety of clean-up and beautification projects at area schools and non-profit organizations.

Assisting children in need is a cause our people hold dear. Our annual golf outing supports the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Wayne and employees have long volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana lunch buddy program.

When it comes to giving back, there may not be a more tangible way than giving blood. The bimonthly visits from the American Red Cross to our campus have resulted in hundreds upon hundreds of blood donations, helping to save more than 1,500 lives.

Our people’s compassion for helping others doesn’t end there. It comes through in their support of the Community Harvest Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Arts United and United Way of Allen County. Our people care about making a difference both through their work and their support of our community.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 10 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

Belden Solutions Marketing Manager Calvin Bow helps clean up a river in Singapore as part of his participation with WWS.

In 2020, Belden introduced Connect with Community, allowing employees to give back to their communities and make a difference to the people around them. All employees are given up to five days of paid leave for the purpose of volunteering with qualified charitable organizations. To date, hundreds of employees around the world have taken part, individually or as part of a team. Below are four examples of employees making a difference.


Brian January, a Belden IT manager based in the Indianapolis, Indiana office, started volunteering for Operation: Job Ready Veterans (OJRV) in the beginning of 2020 just as the pandemic was intensifying. “I sought skilled-based opportunities to give back to the community. I volunteered my time as a salesforce administrator, helping manage the organization’s workflow on client progress, seminar attendance, grant donation requests, endowment reporting and supportive service cost allocations.”

OJRV, a Midwest-based nonprofit organization, provides veterans, service members, their families and their communities transitional, career development and employment services. It offers services across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Wisconsin. In 2020, it helped attain employment for 573 veterans (10 of which were homeless) and 306 so far in 2021, an amazing accomplishment during a global pandemic “Assisting (them) with their salesforce optimization has been the perfect opportunity for me to help our nation’s veterans while simultaneously keeping my finger on the pulse of technology, a true win-win,” said January, who described his contribution as “truly humbling and gratifying.”

In October, a Belden team in Venlo, Netherlands, hosted their first Connect with Community week. Over 70 volunteers participated. Some activities included renovating a children’s petting zoo, cleaning the Maas River and volunteering at several local retirement homes, allowing some of the elderly to go outside for a walk or bicycle ride.

In honor of Belden’s 120-year anniversary, the Venlo team also raised funds and donated 120 food crates to the local food bank, Venlo Voedselbank. Belden President and CEO Roel Vestjens presented the crates of food and a check for €3,800. “It was rewarding to see employees from our production plant, distribution center and office come together to support these great causes. We really do succeed together through teamwork,” said Franziska Fehring, talent management specialist.

Calvin Bow, a Belden solutions marketing manager, has been volunteering with Waterways Watch Society (WWS) for more than five years. The non-governmental, nonprofit organization fosters appreciation and promotes conservation of the environment, especially the waterways in Singapore. Established in 1998, WWS has some 500 volunteers, ranging between ages 5-80 years old. They patrol the Singapore, Kallang and Geylang rivers on boats to fish out litter to ensure the waterways are clean and safe for all to enjoy. Over the years, WWS has grown to include patrols on bicycles, kayaks and pedal-boats.

“I have been volunteering with WWS to help educate the public on how littering upstream can affect water quality when it reaches reservoirs,” said Bow. “I am the skipper/ leader for the boat patrol and the land cyclist patrol and volunteer my time as part of the kayak patrol team.” He was also appointed a Community Volunteer Leader (CVL) by the National Environmental Agency (NEA) and the Public Utility Board (PUB). Both government bodies protect the environment and our water resources.”

“I volunteer with the WWS because it’s an amazing organization with a strong mission statement,” Bow said. “I also wanted to contribute with skills I have acquired through my life. I have my keel/boat skipper license, am a certified first-aider and also have a one-star kayak certificate. I appreciate how Belden recognizes and encourages employees volunteering in their communities.”

As part of the Connect with Community program, the Belden team in Singapore launched a corporate volunteer partnership with Food from the Heart. Belden employees helped with logistics by processing and packing donated food items at the warehouse. Employees from the Singapore facility filled 143 bags with rice, noodles, canned food, biscuits and other dry food for distribution to local families in need. To date, Belden associates have packed a total of 543 bags of food and donated a large number of items.

“It was really fun to have our colleagues come together for a great cause. It feels good to know that the work we are doing is making a positive impact on our community,” said HR Manager Mandy Hui.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is part 9 of Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

Deloitte has done multiple surveys on volunteering, and it has consistently found that creating a culture of volunteerism makes for a happier, more engaged workforce. That, they note, translates to better morale and a workplace atmosphere that has more of a team spirit.

The Deloitte reports (“Volunteerism Survey”) indicate that most people want to work for a company that supports volunteering by staff. It reports that 89% of working Americans believe that companies that sponsor such activities offer a better overall working environment. “In fact, 70% of respondents say that volunteer activities are more likely to boost employee morale than company-sponsored happy hours, and 77% say, ‘volunteering is essential to employee well-being.’”

Of the respondents, just 38% said that their employers provide access to company-sponsored or coordinated volunteer programs. Also, 69% said they are not volunteering as much as they would like to, and of those respondents, 62% said they cannot volunteer during the workday. “It appears that many employees understand the value of volunteering and have the desire to do more, but they aren’t reaping the full benefits,” said Doug Marshall, Deloitte’s managing director of corporate citizenship.

There are some caveats to volunteering. One survey of working Americans who had volunteered in the prior 12 months said that they want to be part of a program that is compelling. They want to see results that confirm their help mattered. Most employees would like to be able to suggest a different cause, not just always the charity that the company president prefers.

There are multiple benefits to employers who support volunteering efforts. Such programs create deeper connections and friendships among coworkers, which in turn can lead to smoother teamwork and better collaboration back at the office. Also, the volunteering experience helps foster a person’s leadership skills. Today’s dedicated volunteer could grow into a key company contributor and leader.


Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is a sidebar from Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

Not currently subscribed to Wire Journal International? Start your free subscription here. Not a Wire Association International member? Become a WAI member now.
We are the leading monthly publication and technical society for the wire & cable manufacturing industry. 

Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

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