Italy’s Prysmian reports that it has finalized three contracts collectively worth about €5 billion with Amprion, a leading European TSO, for two offshore grid connection systems—BalWin1 and BalWin2—and DC 34, an underground cable project.

A press release said that the package deal is the largest in terms of value and km of cable ever awarded to Prysmian. It calls for some 4,400 km of HVDC cable and DMR (Dedicated Metallic Return) cable, of which around 3,400 km are land cables and 1,000 km are submarine cables.

The contracts follow the selection of Prysmian as a preferred bidder last August. At that time, it was noted that each cable system would consist of two single-core ±525 kV HVDC copper cables with XLPE insulation for the submarine sections and P-Laser insulation for the land underground sections, plus a dedicated metallic return cable and a fiber optic cable. BalWin1 will use about 1,070 km of cables along a 358 km route while BalWin2 will use about 1,100 km of cables over a route of 376 km. DC34 will use two single-core ±525 kV HVDC copper cables with P-Laser insulation, including a dedicated metallic return cable. It will consist of up to 2,100 km of cables for the cross Germany route.

The three projects are part of Germany’s overall plan to install 70 GW of offshore wind energy by 2045 and will support the transmission of the energy generated in the North Sea to consumers in the Western and Southern regions of the country. BalWin1 and BalWin2 each will transmit up to 2 GW of offshore wind energy from areas 9 and 10 of the German North Sea to the grid connection points. DC34, part of the Rhein-Main-Link, will connect the substation in Lower Saxony to a second substation in the federal state of Hesse to transmit up to 2 GW of wind energy to the Rhine-Main metropolitan area.

“The three contracts with Amprion are an important milestone for Prysmian as they underline once again the trusting cooperation between the two companies,” said Hakan Ozmen, EVP Prysmian Transmission Division.

“We have secured the necessary cable resources for three important energy transition projects,” said Dr. Hendrik Neumann, CTO of Amprion. “For us, this is a major step towards project success.”

Amphenol Corporation—which has been in a busy acquisition track—announced that it is acquiring the Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT) business of Carlisle Companies for a little over $2 billion.

A press release said that the definitive agreement will see CIT’s harsh environment interconnect solutions join Amphenol’s existing interconnect solutions. CIT produces wire and cable, cable assemblies, contacts, connectors and sensors for sectors such as commercial air, defense and industrial end markets. “We are excited to welcome CIT’s approximately 6,000 talented employees to the Amphenol family,” said Amphenol President and CEO R. Adam Norwitt. The acquisition “will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive technology solution for the increasingly complex applications of our customers in harsh environment markets.”

Per the CIT website, the business traces back to 1940 when it was founded by Henry Dudley Minich as Tensolite. It had six people working in an old, converted house in Tarrytown, New York. Today, the business has nine locations in the U.S., three in Mexico, one in Switzerland and two in China. CIT, the release said, is expected to report 2024 sales and adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately $900 million and 20%, respectively.

“The sale of CIT aligns with our Vision 2030 strategy and represents a significant milestone in our strategic pivot from a diversified industrial portfolio of businesses to a premier pure-play building-products company,” Chris Koch, CEO, chairman and president of Carlisle Companies, said in a statement. The transaction is expected to be completed this year.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently visited Belden Inc. at its plant in Syracuse, New York, where she announced $2.4 million in incentives and tax credits to help the company expand its optical fiber production.

A press release said that Syracuse is home to Belden’s primary Broadband Solutions location, operating under the PPC Broadband brand, where Hochul highlighted key programs in her 2024 New York state budget. The Governor also announced a flurry of economic and financial awards, including a $1.2 million Empire State Development grant for Belden and a $1.2 million Excelsior Jobs tax credit.

“We are honored to welcome Governor Hochul to our Syracuse location,” said Belden President and CEO Dr. Ashish Chand. “Her words describing New York’s rich history of transformation and reinvention, spoken from inside a Belden facility, underscore how Belden itself is leading the way through ingenuity and innovation from its many key locations across the U.S. and around the world.”

Belden was one of 19 recipients across New York State to receive a total of $15 million in financial awards through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Nexans has been awarded a contract to supply a leading Italian utility with 6,000 km of low- and medium-voltage power distribution cables and services.

A press release said that the cables will be manufactured at the Nexans plant in Battipaglia, Italy, using 100% guaranteed low-carbon aluminum that can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 35% to 50%, depending on the products. The cable will be used in underground power lines that are designed to be more resilient to the increasingly frequent extreme climate phenomena that affect power distribution infrastructure worldwide. It will be supplied over a period of 16 months.

Being part of this initiative “places Nexans at the very heart of decarbonized electrification in Italy and in Europe and demonstrates the commitment of our two groups to the world energy transition,” said Elyette Roux, vice president of power distribution cables and accessories at Nexans.

Nexans will also supply the company’s ULTRACKER DRUMS solution that will assist the utility in tracking and managing the delivery of their cables on site, enabling real-time geolocation of cable drums thanks to edge-computing technologies, and providing unique advantages such as shipments follow-up, theft detection, remote monitoring, residual cable length management, and a streamlined drum pick-up.

Nexans announces that it has agreed to acquire La Triveneta Cavi, an iconic Italian manufacturer that serves the European medium- and low-voltage segments.

A press release said that the company, founded in 1965 by Ermenegildo Scalabrin, Gastone Massignan and Bruno Gobetti, employs some 700 people and has current revenues of more than €800 million over the last 12 months. La Triveneta Cavi primarily manufactures for sectors such as building, infrastructure, fire-retardant cable systems and renewable applications across 30 countries.

La Triveneta Cavi operates a vertically integrated and best-in-class industrial footprint in Italy, including three cable production units featuring efficient logistical capabilities in Brendola and Tolentino, as well as one in-house copper drawing facility in Montecchio Maggiore.

The proposed acquisition “is a significant leap forward in Nexans’ strategy to become an electrification pure player, adding a widely recognized player with a long-standing tradition of best-in-class innovation and industrial platforms, as well as a highly experienced management team with a strong track record.”

Nexans expects to see its building cable portfolio grow to address the major market shifts as global demand for fire safety cables is expected to grow at +13% CAGR over the 2021-2030 period. Nexans will further develop La Triveneta Cavi’s experience in fire-retardant capabilities to expand the Group’s global fire safety offer.

“The acquisition of La Triveneta Cavi will be a major milestone in our journey to become a global electrification pure player,” Nexans CEO Christopher Guérin said. He noted that Italy represents the third largest economy in the Eurozone, the second largest manufacturing economy in Europe, with high skilled talents, and has renowned excellences in R&D and industrial processes. “The combination of Nexans and La Triveneta Cavi will be a real catalyst for a “Made in Italy” cable production in the Veneto region of Italy, that will bring significant investment and jobs for La Triveneta Cavi.”

“Nexans will bring significant resources to further expand La Triveneta Cavi’s operations, most notably to accelerate the deployment of the fire safety technology,” said La Triveneta Cavi CEO Mariano Peripolli. “By combining our entrepreneurial spirit with Nexans’ pioneering and agile culture, we are poised to drive innovation and create transformative impact. Indeed, we are proud to have found the right partner capable of enhancing the work done so far by our people and continuing the development of our company.”

Amphenol Corporation has completed the acquisition of the Industrial Products Group (IPG) of Trexon, a divestiture that includes the brand portfolios of TPC Wire & Cable, Pittsburgh Wire and Cable and MilRail.

A press release said that the elements will become part of the Amphenol Harsh Environment Solutions Division, joining several other existing industrial businesses. “I’m very excited to welcome TPC Wire & Cable (Trexon’s Industrial Products Group) to the Amphenol family,” said Division President Luc Walter. “TPC’s unique capabilities extend Amphenol’s harsh environment interconnect capabilities by adding highly engineered raw cable and value-add cable assemblies for the high technology and harsh environment industrial markets. Collectively, Amphenol and TPC provide a broader solution offering to our customers in these markets.”

Trexon, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity, was formed in 2021. It included two divisions, one being IPG, the other for engineered products. TPC’s IPG division will operate as a standalone business unit within Amphenol under the new name of Amphenol TPC Wire & Cable. By leveraging the complementary capabilities of the existing organization, Amphenol TPC will accelerate/ enhance the value of critical industrial applications in the market. It will retain its current headquarters. Walter noted that the entire executive team of TPC will remain with the company.

“TPC’s unique capabilities extend Amphenol’s harsh environment interconnect capabilities by adding highly engineered raw cable and value-add cable assemblies for the high technology and harsh environment industrial markets,” Walter said. “Collectively, Amphenol and TPC provide a broader solution offering to our customers in these markets.”

Pittsburgh Wire & Cable, Inc., established in 1992, is a stocking distributor of industrial and commercial wire, cable and accessories. MilRail is a U.S./Canadian specialty distributor for wire and cable, electrical components, cable management, wire harnesses, and cable assemblies serving the rail.

The acquisition follows Amphenol’s agreement to acquire the Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT) business of Carlisle Companies. Other recent acquisitions include PCTEL, a global provider of wireless technology solutions, including purpose-built Industrial IoT devices, antenna systems, and test and measurement products; and Airmar Technology Corporation, a supplier of ultrasonic sensors and sensor systems for marine and other industrial applications.

Italy’s Prysmian announced an expansion to the company’s optical cable manufacturing plant in Australia to help meet the needs of Telstra InfraCo, a key, long-time customer.

A press release said that Prysmian will expand the plant that is in Dee Why in New South Wales (NSW). Prysmian will enhance and increase the production of locally made state-of-the-art cable for Telstra’s intercity fiber network.

Telstra InfraCo is building an intercity fiber network in response to the ever-growing demands for fast and capable digital networks. Prysmian has been Telstra’s strategic cable partner since 1998 and over that time Prysmian has invested more than A$20 million in the NSW Australian production facility. “We are continually evolving our products and capabilities to maintain our leadership in telecom cables in the region. With comprehensive local manufacturing, product development, services and logistics backed by global strength, Prysmian is uniquely placed as Telstra’s sole strategic supplier of cable. Telstra is one of only a small number of Prysmian’s globally strategic customers.”

“The intercity fiber network project will future-proof Australia’s connectivity needs for the next 20+ years,” said Brendon Riley, Telstra InfraCo CEO. “We have already laid hundreds of kilometers of cables across the country and have commenced planning on several new fiber routes that will see all mainland capital cities connected.”

“This significant investment into Australian-based skills, R&D, and manufacturing is the result of two years of collaborative research and development,” said Frederick Persson, executive vice president digital solutions at Prysmian. “Together with Telstra, we have designed a world leading fiber optic cable that will support the current and future demand for high capacity, low-latency fiber networks in Australia.

The new fiber optic cable is 59% smaller and 54% lighter than the previous design employed across Telstra’s existing fiber network. The reduced size and weight avoid CO2 during cable production and transportation which is estimated to be approximately 35,000 metric tons over the length of the project. To support the rollout of this large project, Prysmian has invested in three key areas of production to significantly increase the capacity of the Dee Why based facility.

Belden recently marked a significant milestone in its operations in India with the groundbreaking ceremony of expansion of the company’s manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.

A press release said that the expansion, which will add 19,000 sq m to the existing footprint, represents an investment of approximately $40 million. The expansion will result in a substantial increase in Belden’s production capabilities, allowing the company to meet the rising demands for network and data solutions. With this investment, Belden aims to strengthen its foothold in both domestic and foreign markets. Phase II of the Chakan plant will serve as a hub for delivering high-quality products for network infrastructure solutions worldwide.

Belden’s expanded facility will be equipped to manufacture state-of-the-art specialized Ethernet switches and firewalls designed for industrial and building automation, connectivity solutions and assemblies of patch cords and connectors tailored for diverse industrial applications, reinforcing Belden’s global impact.

“In India, where industrial, broadcast and enterprise markets are experiencing remarkable growth, our expansion is strategically positioned to cater to this unique opportunity,” said Nexans President and CEO Ashish Chand. “With the expansion of our facility, we are emphasizing our dedication to sourcing raw materials locally. This underscores our unwavering commitment to ‘Made in India for the World.’ With the strategic establishment of this facility, we not only strengthen our domestic roots but also envision it as a pivotal export hub.”

Dr. Chand, who joined Belden in 2002 and was named president and CEO in 2023, played a pivotal role in developing and executing Belden’s long-term growth agenda, solutions and product strategy, and go-to-market efforts. He made key contributions towards establishing and growing Belden throughout the Asia Pacific region, including setting up manufacturing in China and India.

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., has established Judd Wire Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (JMEX), a subsidiary focused on the manufacturing of tab leads for automotive lithium-ion batteries, as well as high-functionality and high heat-resistant electric wires.

A press release said that an investment project announcement ceremony was held last September by the Economic Development Bureau of the state government of Aguascalientes, Mexico, at the building of the state government, where Sumitomo Electric announced the establishment of JMEX and its business plans. At the ceremony, the governor of the state, María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel, said “I am very pleased that 300 jobs will be created. Our state was selected for its good public safety, and we will continue to make further improvements in the future.”

The establishment of JMEX, which is scheduled to be operational in 2025, is attributed to “the significant demand for high-functionality electric wires and wiring materials expected in North America due to the advancement of CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric) in the automotive and mobility fields. We aim to contribute to the advancement of CASE and increase our presence in the North American market.”

Belgium’s Herbosch-Kiere and the U.K.’s Enshore Subsea have teamed up to buy a shallow-draft cable layer called the Topaz Installer.

Per multiple reports, the 88-m long vessel, built in 1999, is owned by the two companies in a newly created partnership entity called the Combined Marine Offshore Services (CMOS). The vessel will be renamed the CMOS Installer.

Previously owned by P&O Maritime Logistics, the vessel is currently in Singapore and after a scheduled dry dock and upgrade will make its way to South Korea to collect a cable consignment, before heading to Senegal for its first contract under new ownership. The vessel had most recently been used for development support of three offshore wind farms.