The Prysmian Group has dropped its plans to build a subsea power cable plant in Brayton Point in Somerset, Massachusetts, a turn of events that was widely seen as being linked to the election of President Donald Trump.

Multiple reports in local media said that the Prysmian Group—which spent more than two years getting the necessary permits—issued a statement two days before Trump took office on January 20. “Prysmian is continuously evaluating market opportunities for our capacity to be aligned with demand ... and to also carry out efficient and timely investments,” said its statement, which did not mention Trump. “As a result ... Prysmian has decided to not proceed with the purchase of the land in Somerset.”

In 2022, President Joe Biden appeared at the site of the former coal plant to deliver a speech about the dangers of climate change and the benefits of clean energy like offshore wind.

Prysmian’s plan to invest $300 million in the Brayton Point factory would enable manufacturing submarine inter-array and export cables up to 275 kV AC or 525 kV DC to connect offshore wind farms to mainland power grids. A Prysmian press release said the production “would be used to deliver power from several new offshore wind farms that are vital to President Biden’s goal of installing 30 GW in offshore wind power by 2030.”

President Trump was cited by many as the cause for the reversal. Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss described the news as disappointing and discouraging. “Donald Trump has unraveled that promise of good jobs by threatening a moratorium on offshore wind, generating so much uncertainty that companies pull back investment.”

In his first day in office, President Trump—who has long opposed clean energy and EV subsidies—signed an executive order temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing issuance of approvals, permits and loans for both onshore and offshore wind projects.

 Leoni AG has opened a plant for producing wiring systems for the truck, powertrain and off-road segment in Agadir, Morocco, a location chosen due to its proximity to plants of commercial vehicle manufacturers.

A press release said that the €20 million investment underlines both the automotive supplier’s ambitions in the global growth market for commercial vehicles and the importance of Morocco as a location for the automotive industry. The initiative is expected to result in more than 3,000 jobs being created.

“It is our clear goal to grow faster than the market in the commercial vehicle segment in the coming years,” said Leoni AG COO Ingo Spengler. He noted that Leoni is one of the few automotive suppliers worldwide that develops and manufactures vehicle cables and wiring systems for passenger cars as well as commercial and off-road vehicles. The business understands the “nervous system of the automobile,” and the Agadir opening will strengthen Leoni’s competitiveness in commercial vehicles segment.

The Agadir plant will produce wiring systems in comparatively small batch sizes with a high level of complexity, using energy-efficient technologies installed to keep the plant’s CO2 footprint at minimum level. “Moreover, Agadir is a flagship project for smart, digital and increasingly automated processes, showcasing best practices and setting benchmarks for operational excellence across the company’s global production network,” says Leoni COO Ingo Spengler.

At its recent Annual Meeting, the Wire Cable Manufacturers Alliance (WCMA) announced the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Career Award that will be honored this March at the 39th Annual Awards Dinner and Investiture Ceremony.

The winners are: Bob Allen, engineering manager, James Monroe Wire & Cable; Lenny Argentine, vice president sales & marketing, International Wire; Mike Canterino, vice president engineering, Fluoropolymer Resources; John Gross, publisher, The Copper Journal; Trent Hayes, Engineering Manager, CommScope; Hamid Haophsy, vice president manufacturing, Fisk Alloy Wire; Joe Iamartino, vice president of technology, Marmon Electrical; and David Kiddoo, CEO, IWCS/CCCA.

The Dec. 3 Annual Meeting and Holiday Luncheon saw 120 members and guests meet at the Downtown Hartford Marriott. Keynote Speaker John Traynor, president of Cambridge Trust Wealth Management, shared his thoughts on current economic, political, and manufacturing topics. It was preceded by a Young Professional Panel Session entitled “The Next Generation’s Perspective - How to Succeed in the Wire & Cable Industry.” See p. 54.

WCMA Executive Director Ed Fenton said the organization has continued to do well, allowing it to increased the amount it contributes to more than $21,000 to charity (UCONN Foundation and Toys for Tots) and scholarship programs (WAI, IWCS, and Copper Club) on behalf of the membership. James Monroe Wire & Cable, International Wire, Gem Gravure and Chase Corp. were recognized for their generous donations; Carlie Crawford, director of laboratory services at Marmon Innovation & Technology Group, was presented with the 2024 Young Professionals Award; and Chris Venice, Marmon IEI, was recognized for his services as association president; and Greg Smith, president & CEO of International Wire, was recognized for his service as a Board Director.

The 2025 officers include Shane Berry, Service Wire Co., president; Peter Moran, Marmon IEI, vice president; and. Cheryl Stewart, secretary/treasurer. Ongoing directors include: Alberto Aguilar, president, Carris Reels; Tom Artinian, CEO, TiniFiber; Adam Chase, CEO (retired), Chase Corp.; John Dogazzi, managing director, Sikora International; Sue Welsh, Young Professionals Liaison, president (retired), Rubadue Wire; and new board member, Nate Schilberg, president & CFO of Prime Materials Recovery, Inc.

The 39th annual Awards Dinner and Ceremony will take place on March 29, 2025, in Hartford, Connecticut, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott Hotel. For more information about this event, visit www.wcmainc.org.

 SteelOrbis will hold its annual Rebar & Wire Rod Conference—the only steel-centered event held during the World of Concrete Expo—at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Jan. 20, 2025.

A press release said that the SteelOrbis conference has a new extended program that includes opportunities to network with colleagues, customers, suppliers and steel experts. Attendees can hear insightful views of distinguished speakers from the U.S. long steel industry regarding the main issues and latest trends in the market. The event will also include the presentation of the RWR Lifetime Achievement Award in Long Products.

The program is for steel producers, distributors, fabricators, traders, end-users, plant/equipment companies and logistics companies. The schedule, registration and other details are at www.atevent.steelorbis.com/en/rwr2025/