Yangtze expands Poland plant, starts optical fiber cable production in Mexico

China’s Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC) reports that it has expanded production at its Poland plant and started production at its expanded plant in Mexico.

A press release said that on July 12, the company’s expansion project was successfully completed, marked by the first reel of indoor cable rolling off the production line in the new workshop. Construction of the plant began in 2021 with the first reel of qualified outdoor cable produced in February 2022. Full capacity was reached in October 2022 and the subsidiary’s growth to a project to expand the plant’s indoor cable production in 2023. That project is wrapped up, and the plant’s current product mix is now more diversified and better able to cater to the European market’s demand.

YOFC also announced that operations commenced Aug. 8 at Yangtze Optics Mexico Cable S.A. de C.V. in Mexico’s Jalisco State, marking its first production facility in the nation. It said that this development represents a significant phase in YOFC’s international strategy and positions the company to capitalize on the growing demand for telecom infrastructure in Mexico for which it will supply fiber optic cables and solutions.

“We look forward to Yangtze Optics Mexico providing customers with the best solutions through its strong professional technology and high-quality product services, becoming the most trusted fiber optic cable supplier in the area,” said YOFC President and Executive Director Zhuang Dan.

YOFC notes that since 2014, it has embraced the national Belt and Road Initiative and embarked on “a relentless journey of internationalization.” Its products are now sold to more than 100 countries and regions

Paul Lorigan has joined Benvic USA as sales and technical director. He most recently was manager technology & laboratory services for M. Holland Company for nearly seven years, and prior to that worked for nine years as technical director of T&T Marketing, Inc., which was acquired by M. Holland in 2017. His industry career began in 1981, when he was a product development engineer for Anaconda Wire and Cable, followed by seven years at BP America Chemicals Company and nine years at AT Plastics. Based in Easton Pennsylvania, Benvic USA is a custom compound supplier for sectors that include the wire and cable industry.

John Maul has joined Vincent-Angel, Inc. as a business development and contractor salesman. He has years of experience in construction, and most recently worked for Ecolab. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Vincent-Angel, Inc., represents electrical manufacturers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Radix reported two recent hires. Matt McConnell is the company’s new DuraLife inside sales representative. He has more than 15 years of prior experience in the electrical industry. with strong expertise in lighting products and applications. He is customer focused and experienced in technical sales. He holds an associate’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and an associate’s degree in computer drafting and design. Diane Pinkey is a customer service representative for the company’s DuraLife Fire Protection Team. She has more than 15 years of prior experience in manufacturing and another 15 years of prior experience in retail. She has an associate’s degree in e-commerce/business management and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management at Cleveland State University. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Radix is a leading manufacturer of UL, CSA and factory-rated electrical wire and cable for high performance, extreme temperature applications.

Leigh-Ann Nalle was promoted to HR administrator at Quabbin Wire & Cable Co., Inc. She joined the company in 2021 as an HR/payroll associate. She holds a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) issued by the Society for Human Resource Management. Based in Ware, Massachusetts, Quabbin Wire & Cable Co., Inc., is a manufacturer of electronic cables for numerous industrial, commercial, audio/visual/lighting and general-purpose applications.

Alben Roland has been hired as a specification engineer at RSCC Wire & Cable, part of Marmon Electrical. His industry career started in 1992, when he was a design engineer at Trilogy Engineering Services for two years, then in that same role for two years with Belden Inc., followed by 20 years with General Cable, where he worked in multiple engineering leadership roles through 2017. He then held other positions at industry companies that included the TriCab Group and Winchester Interconnect. In 2023 he launched R&S Wire & Cable Consulting, working on projects that included new product development, quality troubleshooting and regulatory approvals. He holds a B.S. degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Mississippi State University. Based in East Granby, Connecticut, RSCC Wire & Cable, is a division of The Marmon Group, a manufacturer of high-performance power, instrumentation, control, specialty electronic and electrical cables.

The WAI’s Midwest Chapter has canceled its Sept. 30 golf tournament and plans are already underway for the event to return to the normal spring time slot in 2025.

The Southeast Chapter will be back at the Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, North Carolina, on Thursday, Oct. 10, for its tournament. Last year, 83 players took part in the chapter’s 22nd annual golf tournament. The winning TD Corp. team of Travis Card, William Godwin, Andrew Godwin and Paul Godwin finished at a very respectable 14 under par.

There’s still time to register at wirenet.org for either the tournament or dinner-only, and sponsorships.

There were two winners at the Ohio Valley Chapter’s Aug. 22 event: one was for the annual golf tournament at the Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio while the other was for a 12-round shoot off at a nearby gun range.

The winning golf team of Mark MacKimm, Rainbow Rubber & Plastics; Alex Lippincott, WCTI; Tim Gascoigne, G2 Materials; and Mike Dies, WCTI, shot 61, 10 under par, to grab top honors among the field of 44. The day was perfect for golf, and each player was given a ball from Steve Lebischak, president of Polara Golf, who spoke later about how and why his company’s Polara golf ball can self-correct and fly straight. That led to the chapter’s first most-accurate-drive contest for the first shot at the final hole, a par 5. Dave Rascati, Premier Wire Die, saw his ball jump off the club, correct its path and end up right on the rope just short of the 150 yard marker in the middle of the fairway. Rumor has it that he ordered five dozens balls.

Meanwhile, a small contingent, eight, spent two hours at the Training Range in nearby Austintown. It ended with an impromptu shoot off won by Brennan Mai from Hobart, using a gun borrowed from colleague Nick Heitkamps, who came in second (106-105).

“The gun range was a great networking event,” said Rick Bray, WAFIOS. “It was a great atmosphere. By the end of the morning we all had talked and joked together. I’m looking forward to shooting with the guys again next year. Without this event I may have never been met these gentlemen in the industry.”

Following both events, the educational program was held. Other presenters included Dave Brambert, president of Fifth Wave Manufacturing (AI in Manufacturing); Tim Moury, president/CEO of Vericheck Technical Services, and Technical Director Marco Degasperi (metal analyzing equipment and ISO17025 accredited training and services).

“I thought it was another great day with networking on the course and at the educational seminar,” said Stephen Wright, Blachford. “The speakers brought a wide range of knowledge that seemed to keep the audience engaged. For many people, this has become an annual event they look forward to every year.”

The WAI’s New England Chapter annual education event and networking dinner is set for Nov. 7 at the ACCEL International plant in Cheshire, Connecticut.

ACCEL will host a tour of the company’s wire-drawing plant from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. ACCEL has three vertically integrated factories in Connecticut and Indiana that make silver-plated, nickel-plated and tin-plated copper wire and copper alloys.

Following the tour, there will be a networking dinner at Viron Rondo Osrerio, which is also located in Cheshire. Tickets are $115 for chapter members and $130 for non members. Registration (vetted) can be made at www.wirenet.org.