Madison, Connecticut, USA – January 25, 2024 – The Wire Association International reports that exhibit sales are on pace for Wire Expo 2024, to be held at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino, Uncasville, CT, USA, June 11-12, 2024.

A total of 124 exhibiting companies have been contracted, occupying 171 spaces on the show floor. Of those, more than a dozen companies will be first-time exhibitors extending the value of the event.

Commenting on the show, WAI Sales Director Shannon Timme said “Wire Expo provides a dynamic space offering a blend of business development and social events. The 2024 show will include a new look to the trade show floor. Halfway between New York and Boston, Wire Expo is convenient whether you’re flying or driving.”

There are fewer than 30 booth spaces still available in inventory and several sponsorship options; interested exhibitors can view the floor plan and sponsorship opportunities on the show website: www.wireexpo24.com and contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details.

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 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.

Sponsored by Dow

The Next Era of Connectivity
How innovative materials will enable 5G installation speed and resiliency
Dr. Paul Brigandi, Application Technology Leader, Dow

As the world’s need for high-speed data services drastically increases, so does the pressure and demand on the telecommunications industry to deliver consistent, high-quality connectivity. Experts predict that 5G connections will more than double by 2025, and relaying such massive amounts of data to devices will require millions of miles of new fiber optic cables.

How can the telecommunication industry keep up? Materials designed to last longer, ease cable installation, improve performance and provide greater reliability, can help the industry usher in the future of connectivity.

In areas where connectivity is essential, but space is limited, small, mini and micro fiber optic cables that are packed densely into conduits take up less space while still delivering high-speed services. The installation of these micro cables are air-blown into conduits, a process that can be optimized with a low coefficient of friction. And with quicker and easier air-blowing process for installation, they can also be more efficiently installed in existing conduits to reduce the need for more digging.

Of course, such immense amounts of cabling must be organized for safety and ease of troubleshooting. Laser printing is a fast, visible, and efficient way to mark and permanently identify cable jackets. Using other printing methods may impact the structural integrity of the micro cables making them more susceptible to being removed in air-blown installations. Laser printing removes the risk of damaging cables and improves long-term print durability.

Furthermore, improved durability enables higher-quality and a more reliable signal transmission which reduces the need for repairs or replacement cables

As cables are becoming smaller and denser to support the world’s high demand for connectivity, telecommunications technology must also advance to eliminate any compromise on quality. AXELERON™ FO 6321 BK is one such technology as the all-in-one solution for longer fiber optics cable lifecycle protection and more reliable telecommunications infrastructure.

Designed for micro cables that are up to 60% smaller, 70% lighter and packed more densely into conduits, AXELERON™ FO 6321 BK delivers industry leading low shrinkage rates compared to traditional jackets. With up to 25% less shrinkage, it can help reduce the stress on fiber optic cables that often lead to increased fiber attenuation. The jacketing material also enables laser printing with excellent mark contrast and highly visible marking – removing the risk of damaging cables and improving long-term print durability. AXELERON™ FO 6321 BK can help ease cable installation, improve reliability and usher the industry into the future of connectivity.

Please visit our site to learn more about AXELERON™ FO 6321 BK Telecom Cable Compound

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance leadership to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,800 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $57 billion in 2022. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.

A press release said that it was scheduled to close the Chinse plant on Dec. 29, 2023, in Langfang, China, that became part of Southwire in 2016 following the company’s acquisition of Sumner. The location produced various lifts, jack stands, welding tools and more allowing Southwire to expand its tools and equipment business. That production will be relocated to third-party manufacturers.

The second plant, in Crestview, Florida, will close this year on Feb. 2. The business, previously known as American Elite Molding and acquired in 2020, produces nylon cable ties. That production will be relocated to Southwire’s facility in San Pedro Sula, Honduras to enable the organization to simplify and streamline similar manufacturing.

Prysmian Group reports that its sustainability leadership was confirmed once again in the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) after the annual evaluation of companies’ sustainability practices performed by S&P Global through its prestigious Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

A press release said that in the 2023 edition, Prysmian ranked with top score in the ELQ Electrical Components & Equipment (ELC) sector, reaching excellence (100 points) in the environmental areas of Emissions, Resource Efficiency and Circularity, Waste, and Water, reaffirming its focus and attention on these topics.

Prysmian Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Group IR Vice President Maria Cristina Bifulco said that the results confirm the company’s commitment to sustainability as well as its role as a technological enabler of the energy transition and the digital transformation. “As a leader in our industry, we also feel responsible to promote impactful ESG initiatives across the value chain and beyond, adopting policies, taking actions and setting targets that are designed to create shared value for all our stakeholders.

Prysmian notes that sustainability is a key driver, fully integrated in the Group’s long-term vision and defined strategy underpinned by measurable KPIs that constitute its climate and social ambitions for 2030. Prysmian upgraded its intermediate sustainability KPIs for 2025-2027 and confirmed its Scope 1 and 2 Net Zero target for 2035 and its Scope 3 Net Zero target for 2050.

Dominik Endler, who recently retired as global vice president customer & commercial excellence for Bekaert, has started an advisory firm— EndlerPartners—with a focus on manufacturing business-to-business companies.

Endler said that his focus is to help wire and cable manufacturers—especially mid-size companies—that often miss out on significant opportunities due to lack of “commercial performance.” He will share the expertise he gained over his nearly 18 years with Bekaert, where he was responsible for its wire business in North America, including U.S. plants in Arkansas, Kentucky and Ohio.

A German native who works out of Roswell, Georgia, Endler will advise industrial/manufacturing companies in the North American region on commercial strategy and performance. He holds a master’s degree and a PhD in business and administration. He can be contacted at tel. 770-364-2149, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and www.linkedin.com/in/dominik-endler-255a74112/.

The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance, Inc. (WCMA) announced the recipients of its 2024 Distinguished Career Award, who will be honored at the 38th annual Awards Dinner and Investiture Ceremony on April 6, 2024, in Hartford, Connecticut, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott Hotel.

 A press release said that the chosen recipients selected are Tom Artinian, principal, Artinian Group; Larry Bleich, Vice President, R&D, CommScope; Anthony Fedor, product manager, Cable, Times Microwave; David Fisher, president, James Monroe Wire & Cable; Ron Gibson, purchasing manager, Service Wire Co.; Brian Holden, national accounts manager, Carris Reels (retired); Mike Patel, director of marketing, Teknor Apex; and Tom White, president, New England Wire Technologies.

The WCMA Distinguished Career Award recognizes industry leaders and professionals from the electrical and electronic wire, cable, and fiber optic cable industry segments initially established by the former Wire & Cable Clubs. The winners are chosen by a committee of former recipients via a ballot process to consider the person’s character, credibility, and commercial or technical commitment to the cable industry. WCMA Board members make final selections.

To register for the awards dinner, contact IWMA Executive Director Ed Fenton at tel. 860-841-7720, at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to www.wcmainc.org. A short video about the award is available on the website.

More than 130 members and guests attended the annual membership meeting of Wire & Cable Manufacturer’s Alliance, Inc. (WCMA) on Nov. 30, 2023, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott.

During the session, members voted to approve WCMA officers for 2024. The president is Chris Venice, president, Marmon IEI; and the vice president is, Tom Artinian, principal, Artinian Group. The past president is David Fisher, president, James Monroe Wire & Cable; and the Young Professionals Liaison is Sue Welsh, president (retired), Rubadue Wire.

Newly elected Directors are Cheryl Stewart, COO, Quabbin Wire; Shane Berry, vice president manufacturing and distribution, Service Wire; Peter Moran, vice president industrial infrastructure, Marmon IEI; Eric Fisk, CEO, Fisk Alloy; Adam Chase, CEO, Chase Corp.; and Alberto Aguilar, president, Carris Reels. Continuing directors are Greg Smith, CEO, International Wire; and John Dognazzi, managing director, Sikora NA.

 During the luncheon, a popular frequent WCMA speaker, John S. Traynor, executive vice president of Cambridge Trust, presented key economic, political, and manufacturing topics. His insights continue to be much appreciated.

Following that session, more than 60 attendees participated in the inaugural Young Professional Panel Discussion. Panelists David Fisher, president of James Monroe Wire & Cable, and Adam Chase, president & CEO of Chase Corp. discussed “Why Wire & Cable - A Rewarding Career Choice.” The session was hosted by Charles Glew, president of Cable Components Group and chairman of the WCMA Young Professionals group.

Executive Director Ed Fenton reported that, during 2023, WCMA donated $19,300 to UCONN Cancer Research, Toys for Tots, Industry Scholarship Programs, and several other charities that include Breast Cancer, American Red Cross, UNICEF, Wounded Warriors and others. WCMA donates to charities annually on behalf of its annual Distinguished Career Award Recipients.

Southwire announced that it is partnering with READY Robotics, a pioneer in cutting-edge automation solutions, to deploy automation at five of the company’s facilities.

A press release said that Southwire will use the technology at two Georgia sites: its Retail East Customer Service Center (CSC) in Villa Rica and the utility products plant in Carrollton; its plants in Hawesville, Kentucky, and Florence, Alabama; and its Bremen campus in Bremen, Indiana.

“Partnering with READY Robotics provides us with an opportunity to leverage their expertise, as we continue to deploy cutting-edge technology within our operations,” said Alex Thomas, chief engineer at Southwire. “Continuous improvement is critical to assuring that we safely service our customers, and this partnership helps us accelerate those efforts by using smart solutions that fit nicely with our history as an innovation leader in the industry.”

The Prysmian Group announced a new organizational structure to allow the group to pursue its mid-term ambitions and to sustain the long-term leadership.

A press release said that four new business segments will be in place: Transmission, led by Hakan Ozmen; Power Grids, led by Cinzia Farisè; Electrification, led by Cristiana Scelza; and Digital Solutions, led by Frederick Persson.

The Group matrix organization will continue to stay in place to guarantee the company’s ability to be very close to the local markets and customers (through regions and countries) while reinforcing the continental and global synergies, acting as a major partner through the business segments. A strong focus on the “one company governance” will be assured by the Group functions.

Regional leadership changes were also reported. Sezgin Islamoglu will be CEO of Central East Europe; Erkan Aydogdu will lead the Middle East, Turkey, India, Africa and Russia as well as serve as CEO of Oman Cables Industries (OCI) Group; Hamavand Shroff will be appointed CEO of Oceania and South East Asia; Raul Gil will take over the responsibility for Latin America. Also, Maria Cristina Bifulco will be promoted to Chief Investor Relations, Sustainability and Communication Officer.

“Good, authentic and passionate people make the difference and build companies solid and successful” said designated CEO Massimo Battaini. “We can count on a very strong pipeline of talents which will make our growth very sustainable and our company even a more sound and strong community.”

South Korea’s LS Cable & System announced that it has signed a contract with TenneT Offshore to supply high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables worth about

1.5 trillion won ($1.2 bil1ion).

A press release said that LS Cable & System, in a consortium with Belgian construction companies Jan De Nul and Denys, has won a total of four projects connecting the North Sea to Germany. Under two of the contracts, LS Cable & System will supply submarine and underground cables starting in 2026. The remaining two contracts are expected to be awarded sequentially through 2026.

The projects stem from a 2022 agreement by Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to jointly install 65 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power by 2030. TenneT will participate in the project, which will supply up to 35 million homes with green wind energy.

“Although power grid construction projects are becoming more active around the world, HVDC cables require large-scale investment and high technical skills, so a small number of global wire companies such as LS Cable & System occupy most of the market,” said an official from LS Cable & System.