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Wire Expo 2024: registration is open

The return to Mohegan Sun Casino for the WAI should be a good one. A total of 102 floor spaces (units)— representing more than 60% of the available booth space—was sold at the Points Meeting for Wire Expo 2024, to be held June 10-12 at the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort. A total of 91 companies took part in the Points Meeting, held Oct. 11 at WAI’s headquarters.

The fees for registration are presented below, with the schedule shown on the next page. A key date is May 31, as that is when advance rate discounts expire, making now a very good time to act. The cost for an all-access registration is $720, and $620 for WAI members. A non-member who signs up for $720 gets a one-year membership. After May 31, the cost increases to $695 for non-members and $595 for members.

Registration for the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course on Monday, June 10, costs $495, and $395 for WAI members. A non-member who signs up for $495 gets a one-year membership.

Other event options include access to exhibits and Product Solutions demonstrations. That cost is $125, increasing to $140 after May 31. A ticket for the Welcome Reception, always the best way to meet up with the industry, is $140.

The schedule, presented at www.wireexpo24.com, provides an overview of what attendees can expect. The March issue will include a “prequel” of the event that provides a close look at what will be offered, but a few notables will be the awarding of WAI’s 2024 Champions Award to Keynote Speaker H. Woltz, president/CEO of Insteel Industries; the Mordica Lecture by W.T. Bigbee, vice president operations of Encore Wire; and Keynote Speaker Paul Furtado, COO, Prysmian.

WAI previously staged Wire Expo in 2016 at the same site, where some 240 companies were represented on the show floor.

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Last modified on February 4, 2024

Wire & Cable Milan draws participants from 30 countries, 160+ companies on Oct. 16, 2023

Madison, Connecticut, USA – October 20, 2023 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports that 275 wire and cable industry delegates met at Milan’s historic Palazzo Giureconsulti on October 16, 2023, for a one-day wire and cable technical conference of collaboration innovation. The event was jointly organized by WAI and ACIMAF, the Association of Italian Wire Machine Manufacturers.

Industry experts covered ferrous and nonferrous topics during concurrent tracks, with notable speakers from 24 companies providing the best practices in wire drawing technology and timely information on industry 4.0 and market conditions.

Throughgout the day representatives from 27 companies discussed business at their tabletop exhibits in the supplier forum.
Ferruccio Bellina, an organizer and ACIMAF president, said, “A great commitment and a winning collaboration between ACIMAF and WAI led to an unprecedented success of the Wire & Cable conference ... A success that we wish to share with all the participants and sponsors who joined this important event, which saw the presence of delegates coming to Milan from over 30 countries.”

WAI’s 2023 President Kurt Breischaft, who served as a moderator for the nonferrous track, said “I think the nonferrous session fit together extremely well. The first speaker from Prysmian explained how cables need to become more sustainable, with the second and third speakers (La Farga and Continuus-Properzi) explaining how copper and aluminum can be processed to meet these requirements.”"

The Gala Dinner at Milan’s grand Palazzo Serbelloni provided a chance for additional networking at the close of the conference.

Sponsors and support
The organizers wish to thank the following organizations:

  • Continuus-Properzi ; SAMP; SAS Engineering and Planning; TKT Group
  • The International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA); Messe Düsseldorf North America; MFL Group; DRT Impianti
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation / gov.it; and The Italian Trade Agency (ITA).
  • Official Media partners: Expometals; Wire Journal International, Inc.; and Tecnologie del Filo.

 ORGANIZERS:

ACIMAF was founded in Brescia, Italy, in 1987 for the purpose of promoting the image of Italian technology in the field of machines and products for the wire and cable manufacturing industry. It is a non-profit voluntary association and plays an important International role of cooperation in improving the location and organisation of the major wire and cable trade fairs.

WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2,200 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 October 23, 2023

Iffy-day turns to sunny results for New England Chapter golf tournament

Golfers participating in the New England Chapter’s annual golf tournament largely shrugged off what was an ugly morning, described by one player as “a white-knuckle” drive to the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut. The weather gods, however, were in a giving mood, and the skies cleared, not reverting to a hard rain till almost all of the 135 golfers had finished their rounds, joined by another 15 non-golfers.

It was an especially good day for 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. Three teams followed at seven under. For all those who played, however, it was a memorable day, perhaps even that much better because of how uncertain it had been.

“The New England Chapter produced another great event with the full support of their Board of Directors and WAI’s staff,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “This is a special event that brings the industry together for fun networking, and I credit that to Chapter Chairperson Jess Foss and Golf Chairman Jim Evans, who are both roll-up-your-sleeves leaders who made sure the event delivers.”

“Despite a rainy morning leading up to registration, it turned out to be a beautiful day for golf,” said Foss, market development manager, Electric Cable Compounds Inc. She noted that the tournament continues to serve multiple goals. “As always, it was an excellent opportunity to network with industry colleagues, with the added benefit of being able to do so and enjoy the outdoors. We are fortunate to have many generous sponsors and attendees who make the event possible and support the NEC scholarship fund through our raffle and charity holes. I am already looking forward to what’s in store for next year, which will be our 30th anniversary!”

Foss and Evans both thanked all the companies that sponsored the event, which is also a significant contributor to the chapter’s scholarship program. Skills and special sponsors included: Amacoil Inc., Carris Reels Inc. (3), Chase Wire & Cable Materials, Commission Brokers Inc., Electric Cable Compounds Inc., Electronic Drives & Controls, Fenn LLC, Fluorogistx, Gem Gravure Co. Inc. (3), James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp. (2), Joe Tools, Lloyd & Bouvier Inc. (4), M. Holland, Mathiasen Machinery Inc., The MGS Group, Multi/Cable Corp. (2), Rainbow Rubber, RichardsApex Inc., Summit Plating, Teknikor, Teknor Apex Co., W Gillies Technologies LLC, Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp. (2), Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp. and Zumbach Electronics Corp.

Hole sponsors included: Amaral Automation, Amacoil Inc., Carris Reels Inc., Fenton Group, Fluoropolymer Resources Inc., Gem Gravure Co. Inc., Geon Performance Solutions. James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp. (3), Joe Snee Associates, Inc., Lloyd & Bouvier Inc., M. Holland, Owl Wire and Cable LLC, Quabbin Wire & Cable Co. Inc. (2), REELEX Packaging Solutions Inc., RichardsApex Inc., Sikora, Teknikor, WCMA, Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp. and Zumbach Electronics Corp.

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Last modified on October 4, 2023

WAI’s New England Chapter announces its 2023 scholarship winners

The New England Chapter’s Scholarship Committee has reported the names of its six scholarship winners, each of which will get $2,500.

 Kyle Albrinck is the son of Alice Albrinck, vinyl technical services associate, Teknor Apex. He will attend Thomas More University, where he will major in biology.

Amarra Cruz is the daughter of Luis Cruz, cable engineering manager, Times Microwave Systems. She will attend UMass Boston, where she will major in sports journalism and communications.

Katherine Fritz is the daughter of James Fritz, supply chain manager, Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure Group. She will attend Quinnipiac University, where she will major in radiologic sciences.

William Goyette is the son of Richard Goyette, continuous improvement project manager, MassME. He will attend Rochester Institute of Technology, where he will major in environmental science.

Roma Kale is the daughter of Rina Patel, Vice president of operations, RSCC Wire & Cable LLC. She will attend the University of Connecticut, where she will major in biology and public health.

John Stecker is the grandson of WAI Life Member and Past President (1989-90) WAI David Stecker. He will attend Virginia Tech University, where he will major in data analytics.

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Last modified on October 4, 2023

Southeast Chapter: with all the golf plans meshing, it was mission accomplished

Success, albeit on the golf course or in a wire and cable plant, depends on planning and execution, and the organizers of Southeast Chapter’s 22nd annual golf tournament did a commendable job to ensure that its 22nd annual tournament (the date had to be changed) was a success.

A total of 83 players took part at the Sept. 12 event, held at the Rock Barn Golf & Spa in Conover, North Carolina. The tournament—called the Vannais Outing in memory of the late Stephen Vannais, who was a founding member and president of the chapter—saw a tie between two teams.

The 2023 Vannais Outing winning team was Travis Card, William Godwin, Andrew Godwin and Paul Godwin, all of Technical Development Corp., who finished 14 under par. Coming in second, with the same score, was the team of CommScope’s Eric Ellwanger, Jimmy Lail and Trev Raymond, and Sikora’s Todd Hudson. The course golf pro determined the winner by comparing the scorecards consistent with PGA rules.

Those same rules were applied in determining the third-place winners of Tim McElhany of Process Controls and CommScope’s Jason Marrow, David Cabe and Ricky Rudisill.

One skills test winner who deserves singling out was the winner of the Most Accurate Drive, sponsored by Sikora on Hole 7 on the Jackson Course. Chapter President John Dognazzi said that Kendal Deep of Sonoco Reels will go down in WAI Chapter lore for achieving what is believed to be the first ever hole-in-one at a Southeast Chapter golf tourney. There was no doubt that Deep’s mighty swing would not soon be forgotten.

“Kendal was low key about his hole-in-one, but his foursome and the field knew it was something special in that it was a par four,” Dognazzi said. “Yes, a par four hole 7 on the Jackson Course, that was playing at 262 yards. It put an exclamation point on the fun day and a new standard for the long-standing Sikora most accurate drive contest.”

Fetteroll praised the Southeast Chapter’s Board of Directors for their commitment to the event. He also thanked Tim McElhany (now retired from Process Controls), who he said has been a guiding force for the Chapter since its formation.

Dognazzi and McElhaney both thanked all the sponsors who helped make the event possible. Those include Carris Reels Inc., Charter Steel, Commission Brokers Inc., Gateway Recovery Inc., Gem Gravure Co. Inc., GEON, Henderson Sales & Service Inc., LS Cable & System, M. Holland, Magnum Mfg. LLC, The MGS Group, Sikora, Sonoco Reels, Sonoco Plastics, Specialty Cable Corp, Teknikor, Traxit North America LLC, Windak Group and Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp.

The sponsorships are a key contributor to the chapter’s scholarship program.

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Last modified on October 4, 2023

WAI’s Southeast Chapter announces the winners of its 2023 scholarships

The Southeast Chapter has reported the names of its four scholarship winners, each of which will get $1,800.

 Speros Grapsas is the son of Constantine Grapsas, president of Aim Inc. He will attend graduate school at Tufts University, where he will pursue a master of business administration or international business degree.

Meredith Hammontree is the daughter of Joe Hammontree, vice president, Temple Terrace Industries. She will attend Florida College, where she will major in ecology.

Matthew Tucker is the son of Amy Tucker, finance manager, Sonoco. He will attend the University of Alabama, where he will study biology.

Brian (Trung) Vo is the son of Loc Vo, senior electrical engineer, Honeywell. He will attend the University of Missouri-Kansas, where he will major in electrical engineering.

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Last modified on October 4, 2023

WAI Poland Chapter looking forward to holding its 11th seminar in November

Plans are continuing to be finalized for the XI International WAI Poland Chapter Seminar, which is scheduled to be held Nov. 23-24, 2023.

Chapter President Jan Pilarczyk said that the seminar, to be held at the METALURGIA Hotel in Radomsko, is attracting more attention. Notices have gone out to private industry and academic institutions about the event, which will see presentations and a discussion panel and dinner the first day, and paper presentations the second day.

The event begins Thursday, Nov. 23, with lunch, followed by the opening of the seminar that includes a welcome by a city official. Scheduled presenters at this point include: Robert J. Glodowski, The Evolving Technology of Steel Rod Manufacturing- A Personal Perspective, from 1:30 pm to 1:55 pm; Tom Moran, Development of a high-carbon wire that could be drawn to ultra-high tensile strength 285, (a joint effort project by National Standard and Southwire), 1:55 pm to 2:20 pm; a presentation by Jan Krnac, Analysis of possibilities to improve the quality of drawn steel wires intended for the production of needles, 2:20 pm to 2:45 pm; then a session on coaching (business topic: leasing, business financing), from 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm.

A discussion panel—The condition of the steel industry in the era of political and economic destabilization in the post-Covid period and in the face of war in Ukraine—will be held from 3:45 pm to 6:30 pm. Subjects will include steel, raw materials, delivery, prices, media, photovoltaics, other RES, development prospects, creating new products, innovative economy, corporate social responsibility, industry 4.0, digitization /automation. Moderators will include Piotr Milewski, Adam Świerczyński and Piotr Pawlak (proposal of further moderators).

Dinner will follow at 7 pm, with awards presented to Krnac and Głodowski. On Friday, papers will be presented from 10 am to noon, followed by lunch. See the latest details at www.msc.wip.pcz.pl. Send questions to chapter secretary Agnieszka Gwiazdowicz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Last modified on October 4, 2023

Exhibitor alert! The WAI Points Meeting for Wire Expo 2024 will be held Oct. 11

Following the successful staging of Interwire 2023, the WAI is now focused on the 2024 WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo (Wire Expo), and it all starts with the Points Meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11.

The Association will return June 11-12, 2024, to the Mohegan Sun & Casino Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. WAI ably hosted Wire Expo 2016 and had been scheduled to do so again in 2020 before Covid upended those plans.

The Wire Expo show floor saw a total of 240 companies represented on the show floor in 2022, and WAI Director of Sales Shannon Timme, CEM, wants companies interested in being there in 2024 to be prepared for the Points Meeting. Exhibitors must be in good standing and have submitted their contract with full payment to participate.

The Points Meeting determines the order in which exhibitors get to choose a location. The following parameters affect the points system: years of exhibiting, square footage (or size) of stands and continuity of years exhibiting.

Points for the system include exhibit space at WAI’s Wire Expo and Interwire shows. Exhibitors must have proof of insurance before they can take part in the Points Meeting (insurance is not required). Exhibitors can view the 2024 floor plan and submit their choices for booth space through the show website, wireexpo24.com, where the full list of points can also be viewed.

For more details and questions, contact the Wire Expo Sales Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

WAI seeking a director of education to further its mission to serve the industry

The wire and cable field continues to evolve, and so does the Wire Association International, which is creating a new position to serve the wire and cable industry: director of education.

Per WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll, the position will lead the Association’s educational initiatives into the next century. The educational programming will focus on professionals serving in operating roles within wire and cable manufacturers and suppliers serving this sector. At the same time, the Association is also addressing operator level positions via a digital training platform that has the potential to deliver value.

“The new position will be responsible for leading and managing these exciting impactful programs that will deliver value to the collective industry efforts to ensure a strong workforce,” Fetteroll said. “The priority will be development and management of the training program and as time permits, the position will manage the conference programming elements. The training program’s financials will be managed independent of other WAI programs and activities.”

The position will help carry out a Board of Directors vote last November to address the workforce development issues. In terms of candidates for the position, the Association will consider industry experts that have a proven track record who may be ready for a different experience, one that allows them to give back to the field. In addition to creating this new role, the Association has dedicated funds to support program development for training, professionals, consultants, subject matter experts and videographers.

Based in Madison, Connecticut, USA, WAI has a staff of 10 individuals who support the annual Interwire and Wire Expo events, the monthly production of Wire Journal International, the more than 2,000 members and the annual Technical Conference, among other activities.

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

Wire & Cable Milan update

The conference program for Wire & Cable Milan—to be held Oct. 16 in Milan, Italy—presented in the August issue is essentially the same and can be seen at the event website: www.wireandcable23.com.

Other elements continue to develop. At last count, 14 companies have reserved a tabletop. Those include: Caleotto Spa, Continuus Properzi, DRT Impianti Srl, Eurodraw Wire Equipment, Gimax Srl, IWMA Ltd., Mario Nava SpA, Oreste Castelnuovo, Pan Chemicals SpA, Pittini Group, PS Costruzioni Meccaniche Srl, SAMP Srl, SAS Engineering and Planning Srl, TKT Group and ZT Srl. Of those companies, Continuus Properzi, DRT Impianti Srl, IWMA Ltd., PS Costruzioni Meccaniche Srl, SAMP Srl, SAS Engineering and Planning Srl and the TKT Group have also signed on for a range of event sponsorships.

The event is co-hosted by ACIMAF and the Wire Association—which have successfully teamed up on previous conferences in Italy: Verona in 2019, Milan in 2013, Bologna in 2007 and Stresa in 2003—have high expectations for the return to Milan in 2023. It also has the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – ITA/ICE. Media partners include expometals.net, Technologie de Filo and WJI.

The program will consist of 24 technical and business presentations balanced between ferrous and nonferrous topics. Beyond the presentations, representatives of 40 key industry suppliers will be there to share their latest innovations with the industry. The day-long program will present unique networking opportunities, both during the conference at the gala dinner, always a much-anticipated highlight.

The featured presentation will be delivered by Srinivas Siripurapu, chief innovation officer and R&D officer at Prysmian Group. He also was a keynote speaker at Interwire 2023.

The ACIMAF Board of Directors selected a special combination of venues in the heart of Milan. The Palazzo dei Giureconsulti will host the conference/tabletops while the Palazzo Serbelloni will serve as the site of the gala dinner.
To register and for the latest details on Wire & Cable Milan, go to the event website: www.wirecable23.com.

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on December 4, 2023

Corey Flynn joins WAI as manager of member services

Corey Flynn, who during his last year of college served eight months as an intern for WAI, has joined the association as manager of member services.

Flynn will be the membership point person as the Association moves to new association management software in September. He will manage the member experience, including onboarding and renewals, and be the staff liaison to the Member Relations Committee and all the WAI chapters. He will also manage the business internship program of which he was a participant.

Flynn graduated in 2022 from the University of New Haven with a B.S. degree in business and finance. He earned the respect of his colleagues as he balanced the academic demands of his senior year while quickly assimilating to the organization and the association business.

“Corey impressed everyone with not only his willingness to help, but the high quality of his efforts,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “We also appreciate that he remained engaged during his Covid-disrupted journey through school.”

Flynn was the founder and president (2021-’23) of the Investment Club at the university as well as a member of the Men’s Club Soccer team.

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on December 4, 2023

U.K. representative to visit WAI on Oct 3rd to continue the clockwinding tradition

Elizabeth Bonfield, who will perform the traditional clockwinding ceremony Oct. 3 at WAI’s office in Madison, Connecticut, has a sterling background that makes her a superb U.K. industry representative.

Bonfield has worked at the director level in the engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors for the past 20 years. As managing director of three vocational awarding bodies, she spent 10 years creating opportunities for individuals and businesses in training and qualifications. She currently works as an executive coach & trainer for Skills 4 UK in Leeds, a U.K. leading consultancy for diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Bonfield chaired a steering group that successfully delivered a Skills 4 program into the U.K. engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors to address the skills shortages faced due to the lack of retention and progression of women and prior experience at the British Manufacturing Plant Constructors Association. She also arranges the National Metals Apprentice of the Year awards in categories Craft and Career Development on behalf of the Worshipful Company of the Tin Plate alias Wire Workers. Multiple members of the company have previously wound the clock.

The most recent clockwinder, Martin Thacker, had the unique experience of serving for three years, the first two times (2020 and 2021) being virtual. Thacker—whose grandfather was a wiredrawer in Sheffield, and his father worked for Markham and Company Ltd., as did his uncle—appeared the third time in the flesh on Nov. 3, 2022.

The clockwinding tradition originated when John Rigby and Sons, Ltd. of Manchester, England, presented the Wire Association with a 400-day grandfather clock at its Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 1948.
The gesture, which represented a group of 32 companies from Great Britain, was made in appreciation of the support given by the U.S. wire industry to Great Britain during World War II.

The massive mahogany case, standing about eight feet high, was made about the year 1770. The clock’s lacquered brass and silvered dial is hand engraved and bears around the arch an ancient sundial motto reminding us that “Time can neither be kept nor destroyed.”

Each year a representative from the U.K. makes the trip to the U.S. to participate in the annual ceremony that commemorates the friendship and communication between the two nations.
The clock resides in the lobby of the Wire Association International headquarters in Madison, Connecticut.

Want to become a WAI chapter member?

Add a chapter membership to your existing WAI membership for only $15/year. Unlock additional networking and educational member benefits on the regional level. Contact WAI’s membership department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.wirenet.org/members/chapter-network to learn more.

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Last modified on September 6, 2023

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