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2 South Korean cable makers in legal spat over allegations of technology theft

South Korea’s LS Cable & System (LS C&S) has accused Taihan Electric Wire (TEW) of technology theft related to the design and layout of its new submarine cable manufacturing equipment.

Per multiple media reports, LS C&S claimed that TEW illicitly obtained the design and layout of LS Cable & System’s specialized equipment used in the production of submarine cables. Those are important as making and moving cables that can span tens of km and weigh thousands of tons reflect the company’s expertise that is a key part of its intellectual property.

The disagreement reached a new level on July 11, when police considered TEW as a suspect for violating the “Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act” and conducted a raid on its headquarters. A statement by LS C&S stated that the “theft of technology by Taihan Electric Wire is a clear criminal act,” and declared that if the allegations are proven true, the company will pursue all legal actions.

At issue was whether information about the floor plan that LS C&S had provided an architectural firm that later worked for TEW was improperly passed along. TEW recently held the official opening of a new submarine cable plant in the Godae district of the Asan National Industrial Complex in Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do, and now plans to build a second such plant there that will be completed in 2026, and operational in 2027.

TEW issued a statement denying the allegations. “(Our) submarine cable factory layout is not a core technology, and there is absolutely no reason to secure a competitor’s layout and drawings for the purpose of technology theft.” It countered that LS S&C has a monopoly in South Korea, and that the country needs to have more competition to protect its market from foreign companies.

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Prysmian to get €450 million to further its cable capacity for targeted EU projects

Prysmian has signed a  €450 million finance contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to facilitate electricity transmission and distribution in Europe.

A press release said that the funds will go towards manufacturing extra-high-voltage submarine power cables and high-voltage onshore cables, and other upgrades to existing cables to promote European energy transition. They will be used for operations in Finland, Italy and France that serve the growing demand for renewable energy in general and offshore wind in particular.

The EIB, a long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States, provides long-term financing for sound investments that contribute to EU policy. Prysmian will use the EIB funds to build new production lines for extra-high-voltage submarine cables, lines for high-voltage onshore cables and other technical improvements to existing lines.The EIB-financed investment will enable Prysmian to double its production capacity for extruded cables at its three factories in Pikkala (Finland), Pozzuoli (Italy) and Gron (France) from around 2 000 km a year to over 4 000 km a year. It would also create new jobs.

“This (initiative) will help to meet EU targets for clean energy transmission via submarine cable solutions and long-distance interconnections, improving the integration and efficiency of renewable energy.” The time frame and procedures are still being defined.

The release said that the project was in line with the EIB’s climate action and environmental sustainability goals and the REPowerEU framework, which the EU bank has committed to support with €45 billion of additional investment by 2027. Almost half of the operations covered by the agreement will take place in cohesion regions such as Campania in Italy and Burgundy in France, thereby helping to address regional economic disparities and promoting more balanced and inclusive economic development.

This contract follows previous agreements between Prysmian and the EIB, which has backed Prysmian’s R&D work across Europe, including its production centres of excellence. In the past five years, the EIB Group has provided more than €58 billion in financing for projects in Italy.

“We are proud that the EIB is supporting our commitment to help build additional capacity to meet the growing demand for clean energy across the continent,” said Prysmian CEO Massimo Battaini. “This new step forward shows how the European Union is aware of the essential role our company has in achieving this transition.”

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NKT reports signing agreement with SSEN to proceed with 2 Scottish HVDC projects

NKT has confirmed that it will be a partner for two Scottish power cable projects with SSEN Transmission.

A press release said that last August, NKT had confirmed that it had reserved production and offshore installation capacity for a venture of Scottish transmission system operator (TSO) SSEN Transmission. The company plans to build two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links running from the Western Isles to the Scottish mainland, and from Spittal in Caithness to Peterhead.

NKT has now signed a framework agreement with SSEN Transmission, and the parties have agreed to proceed with initial work for the two interconnectors issued under the framework agreement. The project will support the decarbonization of the power system in Great Britain.

The limited notice to proceed with the projects reflects the exceptional collaboration with SSEN Transmission on interconnector projects like the Caithness-Moray HVDC Link and the ongoing Shetland HVDC Link, said Darren Fennell, EVP & Head of HV Solutions Karlskrona in NKT.

The Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead offshore HVDC transmission links are part of The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design (HND) which is a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain. SSEN Transmission plays a central role in executing on the HND, supporting the journey to meet UK and Scottish Governments 2030 renewable energy and climate change targets. The HND sets out a single, integrated grid design that supports the large-scale delivery of electricity generated from offshore wind.

The Western Isles cable route is approximately 160 km of 525 kV HVDC with a transmission link capacity of 1.8 GW. The Spittal-Peterhead cable route is approximately 220 km of 525 kV HVDC with a transmission link capacity of 2.0 GW. Both projects include on- and off-shore route length, and are scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026.

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Southwire to close facilities in 3 cities

Southwire announced that it will close its facilities in Santa Fe Springs, Rancho Cucamonga, and Livermore, California as well as reduce some staff as the company continues to realign itself.

A press release said operations will cease at the Livermore and Santa Fe Springs facilities on Oct. 1, 2024, and at the Rancho Cucamonga facility on Nov. 1, 2024. Operations from each of the impacted facilities will be relocated to other existing Southwire locations.

Since 2005, Southwire’s Rancho Cucamonga Customer Service Center (CSC) has served as the company’s primary location for supporting Infrastructure products and Electrical Products and Engineered Solutions (EP&ES) on the west coast. In 2020, Southwire acquired Construction Electrical Products (CEP) and the Livermore facility, further contributing to its EP&ES growth. The company’s Santa Fe Springs facility has primarily supported EP&ES for the west coast since 2019.

“As we work toward improving our customer experience, we must optimize our distribution and manufacturing networks to attain best in class customer service,” said Aaron Asher, Southwire’s senior vice president of Customer Experience. “By leveraging our geographic locations and taking full advantage of our existing network of facilities, we will be positioned to more readily and effectively meet our customers’ needs throughout North America.”

In addition to these facility closures and updates, Southwire has responded to the shifting market conditions by reducing the number of sales and support roles that support the EP&ES business. Impacted persons will be able to apply for open positions within the business.

“The decision to close these facilities, as well as to adjust our staffing in EP&ES, was not made lightly, and it is not a reflection of our team members,” said Peter Lugo, senior vice president of EP&ES. “We would like to thank these team members for their years of service, and we will ensure that those impacted by this decision are treated with dignity and respect throughout the transition.” 

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Prysmian reports completing its $4.2 billion acquisition of Encore Wire Corporation

Prysmian announces that it has completed the acquisition of Encore Wire Corporation that had been announced on April 14.

A press release said that the acquisition will strengthen Prysmian’s leadership position in North America. Prysmian will benefit from enhanced cross-selling opportunities, as well as the efficiency and innovation within Encore Wire’s unique production, distribution process and service levels. The transaction also strengthens the weight of the North American business in Prysmian’s geographical footprint.

The combined business will be well-positioned to accelerate the electrification and digital transformation in North America, which includes the growth of data centres and upgrades to the power grid. 

“This acquisition will significantly strengthen Prysmian’s leadership position in North America while creating value for all stakeholders,” said Prysmian CEO Massimo Battaini. “Thanks to the complementary fit of Encore Wire with Prysmian’s existing North American business, we will be better placed than ever to address customers’ needs across the dynamic, highly efficient and growing North American market, while ensuring we are best placed to capture the structural growth opportunities which are being driven by digitalisation and energy infrastructure. There is also a strong cultural fit between Encore Wire and Prysmian because of our shared spirit of innovation and commitment to accelerate the transition towards a low carbon economy. ”

“With the successful completion of the transaction with Prysmian, we are ready to begin an exciting new chapter in our company’s history” said Encore Wire CEO Daniel L. Jones. “I am grateful for the hard work and commitment of our employees and proud of the remarkable value Encore Wire has created with our expansive single-campus model, low-cost production, centralized distribution and product innovation. Encore Wire and Prysmian are two highly complementary organizations, and we look forward to leveraging our enhanced product offerings and strong customer relationships to drive even greater opportunities as part of a larger, global organization.”

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Last modified on August 6, 2024

Lesjӧfors Group opens new plant in Poland, has also made investment in Pune, India

The Lesjӧfors Group has increased its spring and pressing operations in Eastern Europe with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Poland alongside an existing plant that is part of Alcomex, its subsidiary.

A press release said that the new production site in Marki, Poland, divides the custom-made tension and torsion spring manufacturing specialisms across two dedicated sites and enables the production and assembly of increased spring volumes, in line with customer demand. “Acquisitions are a core part of the Lesjӧfors growth strategy,” said Lesjӧfors Group CEO Ola Tengroth. He noted that the company has more than 50 production and technical sales offices in Europe, America and Asia, and is “actively looking to acquire more spring manufacturers.”

At the Alcomex website, the Holland-based company notes that it has more than 300 spring employees in nine locations: Opmeer (Netherlands), Moravany u Brna (Czech Republic), Goch (Germany), Marki (Poland), Nędza (Poland), Paris (France), Pune (India), Sibiu (Romania) and Valencia (Spain). It manufactures door springs and industrial springs through its operating brands Alcomex, HZ Solutions and VIOD. Founded in 1992, the company was bought by Lesjӧfors in 2021. 

The Lesjӧfors press release said that investments have also been made at Alcomex’s standard stock door spring operation in Pune, India. That includes advances in cutting-edge technology, production lines, storage and shipping facilities.

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LS Cable & System reports plan to build the largest submarine factory in the U.S.

South Korea’s LS Cable & System announced that an investment of approximately 1 trillion won (about $721.34 million) will be made for its subsidiary—LS Greenlink USA—to build the largest U.S. submarine cable factory.

Per an article in BusinessKorea, the factory will be built on a 396,700-sq-m site along the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Virginia. It will have a total floor area of 70,000 sq. m. Construction is set to begin in 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2027. The facility will also feature a 200-m-tall power cable production tower, which it noted would be the tallest of its kind in the world. It will have more than 300 employees.

LS Cable & System will receive about $48 million (some 66.5 billion won) in subsidies and tax benefits from the state government. Including $99 million (some 137.2 billion won) from the Department of Energy (DOE) under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the company has secured a total of $147 million (about 202.7 billion won) in support. “This marks the largest support package for any global cable company operating in the U.S.”

The story cited other company activity, including construction of large cable installation vessels by LS Marine Solutions and the expansion of LS Eco Energy’s submarine projects in Europe. In related news, LS Cable & System also recently announced it is building a new manufacturing plant in Queretaro, Mexico, that will produce large capacity busway systems for both the U.S. and international markets. It will be located on a large site in an industrial complex. Construction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

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Nokia agrees to sell Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to a French state entity

Nokia announced that it has entered into a put option to sell Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN)—a leading submarine networks business that it acquired via its prior acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent—to the French State, represented by the Agence des participations de l’Etat (APE).

Per a press release, the company’s website and multiple media reports, ASN is being divested by Nokia as the Finnish business considers it a non-core business. The transaction could happen as soon as the end of this year, subject to customary required approvals.

Based in Nozay, Ile-de-France, France, ASN is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of submarine cable. Its cable manufacturing plant is located in Calais, France. The company notes that it has an installed base of more than 800,000 km of optical submarine systems deployed worldwide.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for ASN as we undertake the next phase of our development,” said ASN President and CEO Alain Biston. “The French State’s ownership gives us a stable platform to further develop our vertically integrated technology offering. This, combined with Nokia’s retained stake, underscores all parties’ aligned interests in delivering a smooth transition for the benefit of our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.”

The deal calls for Nokia to retain 20% ownership in the company that would be maintained until a “targeted exit” to make sure that there is a smooth transition. The selling price was tagged at €350 million, although one report said that once company debt was factored in, the net would be about €100 million.

“The proposed sale of ASN to the French State is the result of extensive discussions which concluded that the French State is the most relevant custodian of ASN,” Nokia said in a statement. “The French State, as a stable owner with a long-term interest in the operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure, ensures continuity for ASN customers, employees and partners.”

ASN’s history traces back to the creation of the Submarine Telegraph Company (STC) in 1858. Alcatel Cable acquired STC in 1993, and in 1994 it regrouped submarine activities to Alcatel Submarine Networks, owning 51%. In 2015, ASN became part of Nokia.

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Last modified on August 2, 2024

WAI prepares its fourth Global Continuous Casting Forum in conjunction with INTERWIRE 2025

Madison, Connecticut, USA – August 1, 2024 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports plans to host its fourth Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) for copper and aluminum May 12-15, 2025, concurrently with INTERWIRE 2025 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.


The conference provides a forum for academics, researchers, metallurgists, and professionals to meet and exchange innovative ideas and information on all aspects of continuous casting. A welcome reception is planned on Monday, May 12, as is an attendee dinner on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.


The Association is currently accepting abstracts for review, a process that remains open until the October 2, 2024, deadline. Submitted presentations should align with one of the following tracks: General; Copper; Aluminum; Lubrication & testing; or Automation & safety. Welcome topics include:


• Casting technologies
• Electrical energy
• Global copper & aluminum markets
• Cost-saving opportunities
• Filtration concepts
• Molten metal
• Combustion Systems
• Furnaces
• Degassing
• Metal flow
• Refractories
• Aluminum & Copper Alloys
• Sustainability

Abstracts should be submitted at: bit.ly/WAIabstracts by October 2, 2024. Accepted authors will be notified by November 7, 2024. Final manuscripts are due February 13, 2025.
Sponsorships are available with details at: https://www.interwire25.com/conference/castingforum
For questions or to secure a sponsorship contact: WAI’s Education Department | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel.: 203-458-4044.

WAI’s Global Continuous Casting Forum committee members include:
Chairman Chris Tucker, Encore Wire; Richard Baker, Cableforce Consulting; Kurt Breischaft, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS; John Hugens, Hugens Metallurgy & Combustion; Martin Lecours, Rio Tinto; Giuseppe Marcantoni, Properzi International Inc.; Juan Sanchez, Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc.; Janusz Sekunda, Prysmian; Patrick Slaughter, Southwire Co.; Florin Teglas, Nexans; and Rob White, Hazelett Strip-Casting Corp.


WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2,000 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 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.

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Last modified on August 1, 2024

Dates now set for 3 other chapter golf tourneys in September and October

The WAI’s Midwest and Southeast chapters have set dates for their respective golf tournaments, so there are now three firm dates that can be planned for.

The Midwest Chapter will return to St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois, on Monday, Sept. 30. In 2023, the team of Cliff Goss and Brock Braun of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, and Chris Skidmore of OmniSource, shot a very respectable 10 under par 72 to walk away with the bragging rights.

The Southeast Chapter will return to the Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, North Carolina, on Thursday, Oct. 10. In 2023, the winning Vannais Outing team was Travis Card, William Godwin, Andrew Godwin and Paul Godwin, all of Technical Development Corp., who finished 14 under par.

As previously noted, the New England Chapter will return to the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut, on Monday, Sept. 9. In 2023, the Fluorogistx-sponsored team of Jim Elliott and Rick Larson from New England Wire Technologies, and Jim Bliss, Marmon IEI, who won with a score of 60, 12 under par.

Of note, the collective chapter golf tournaments bring together professionals from the wire and cable industry for a day of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Beyond the obvious attraction of golfing, the events serve as an excellent platform to build new connections, exchange knowledge, and strengthen existing relationships within the industry. Register online for tournament, sponsorship, and dinner-only participation: wai.configio.com.

For more details, contact WAI Member Services Manager Corey Flynn at tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 128, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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