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A terrestrial cable has successfully traversed a pre-laid channel beneath the seabed on two islands in ocean waters north of the city of Zhoushan (part of East China’s Zhejiang Province), marking the completion of the first project of its kind in China.

Per multiple media reports, including China Daily, the terrestrial cable provided by the Hengton Group links the islands of Zhoushan and Shangyuanshan. The State Grid Zhoushan Power Supply Company, the project’s developer, said that inter-island energy transmission in China is usually done with submarine cables. However, China’s coastal waters have dense waterways and busy ships whose anchors could easily damage submarine cables, which led to using of a 10 kV one-km-long terrestrial cable that is buried deeper.

Li Zhen, the head of the design company of the project, said that other advantages include lower costs to make the cable as well as easier construction. To reduce tension and friction of the cable during the line laying, the company used wire rope traction, essentially installing an “exoskeleton” for the cable. It then used pipeline lubrication materials to reduce friction, ensuring that the cable remained intact during the dragging process.

Zhen said that this method could be “extensively applied to connect islands separated by short and medium distances of no more than 2 km.” The long-term goal, he added, is to achieve connections between islands over medium and long distances.

Last modified on February 4, 2024

Gerdau reported the recent completion of commissioning of the company’s new steel processing heat-treatment facility in Modlothian, Texas.

A press release said that the facility—adjacent to Gerdau’s Midlothian, Texas electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mill—is the only one in North America that can produce stretched and stress relieved A722 bars. That capability provides improved stress relaxation properties for fasteners as well as post-tensioned and pre-stressed applications. Unique to the facility is the ability to produce lengths up to 65 feet long in both quench and tempered, as well as stretched and stress relieved products. The new facility was designed to meet the evolving demands of various industries, including the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector.

Last modified on February 4, 2024

Rosendahl Nextrom recently equipped its in-house technology center with two brand-new laboratory lines for LAN cable and fiber optical cable production.

A press release said that Rosendahl Nextrom’s technology center, located at its headquarters in Austria, has been exclusively dedicated to datacom. Two new laboratory lines, one for loose tube production and another for Cat. 8 wire insulation, have been installed and are now available for test runs and trials:

The loose tube line, equipped with numerous features that enhance quality and productivity while reducing scrap, was designed to make a significant advancement in fiber optical cable manufacturing. Noteworthy for its compact design, the line achieves speeds of up to 1,200 m/min. Visitors can experience firsthand the improved performance of an enhanced fiber cutter, optimized jelly-filling, a cable drying system for high speeds, and more.

The second line is a high-speed insulation line designed for Cat. 8 LAN cables. It has a robust extruder group of four with high-precision gas dosing. Notable highlights include the cooling section and the automatic take-up station, engineered to handle speeds of up to 2,500 m/min.

“We are excited to advance our research and development with these new laboratory lines and extend our infrastructure to our customers and partners,” said Johann Jäkel, Business Unit Director. “The trials on the lab equipment will help improve product quality and increase operational efficiency. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved and further strengthens the strategic partnership with our customers.”

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Last modified on February 4, 2024

Morgan-Koch Corporation announced that it has been chosen by GMP-Slovakia to represent it in North America.

A press release said that Morgan-Koch Corporation will represent GMP Slovakia’s product lines, which include steel reels and cable drums, take-apart reels and handling equipment. Founded in 2003, GMP Slovakia develops and manufactures steel reels, collapsible reels and reel handling equipment for the wire and cable industry. The company has two manufacturing plants and has long worked closely with key machinery manufacturers.

GMP Slovakia’s steel reels are suitable for drawing, bunching and stranding steel, copper or aluminum wires and its metal cable drums are used for cable and rope process or transportation. The size and dimensions of each steel reel can be customized according to customer needs. Its range of products also includes baskets, pallets and customized solutions all designed with 3D graphic system, as well as reparation service of used steel cable reels.

 “We welcome GMP Slovakia into our group of high-quality suppliers to the wire and cable industry,” said Albert Kozlowski, vice president/general manager of Morgan-Koch.

Last modified on February 4, 2024

Ducab Group, one of the UAE’s largest industrial manufacturing businesses & solution providers, has been awarded to supply overhead conductors for a 288 KM OHL (Over Head Line) project as part of a GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business electrification project in Iraq.

A press release said that the project complements Iraq’s larger energy transition plan, moving the nation into a regional energy hub through smart and sustainable grid infrastructure. The Ducab Group participated in the GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business tender for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of 400 kV overhead transmission lines interconnecting Jordan and Qaim area in Iraq. This is being done in connection with a re-enforcement program for EPC, and the supply of substations and transmission lines (132 kV/400 kV) turnkey projects.

“Our products and services have a direct impact on communities, industries and nations,” said Ducab Group CRO Mohammad A. Almutawa. “By supplying energy solutions to the Iraq power project, we can help ensure a reliable power supply to Iraq and aim to support the country in achieving its socio-economic objectives.”

The release noted the challenges matching electricity supply with demand. In 2019, for example, analysts estimated that peak demand was 26 GW, 58% higher than generation capacity. GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business signed a contract with the Ministry of Electricity in Iraq to support these shortcomings, bringing in Ducab as a key supplier on the project.

 “The association with Ducab for this strategic project is further promoting Ducab’s products and the strength of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ brand,” the release said.

Last modified on February 4, 2024

Hellenic Cables, the cables segment of Cenergy Holdings that is based in Greece, has signed a contract to supply some 205 km of inter-array cables for the Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III offshore wind farms in Poland.

A press release said that the joint venture of Equinor and Polenergia has been developing the MWF Bałtyk II & III offshore wind farm projects in Poland. Hellenic Cables was appointed by Seaway7 as the key subcontractor for the design, manufacturing, testing and supply of up to approximately 205 km of 66 kV submarine inter-array cables and related accessories for these projects.

The Bałtyk II and III wind farms extend into 122 sq km and 117 sq km areas, respectively, strategically positioned in the southwestern Baltic Sea within Polish waters at depths from 20 to 45 m. Hellenic Cables will manufacture the submarine cables at its Corinth plant, with the schedule calling for delivery completed by the first half of 2026.

“We are delighted to be working with Hellenic Cables once again, following our successful collaboration on previous offshore wind projects,” said Seaway7 Project Manager Tom Rijnders.

Hellenic Cables notes that, through its fully owned subsidiary, Fulgor, the company’s Corinth plant can produce some of the world’s longest submarine cable lengths without factory joints.

Last modified on February 4, 2024

Leoni reports that the company has concluded the sale of one of its business groups to Deutsche Invest Mittelstand (DI Mittelstand)

A press release said that on Dec. 13, 2023, the sale of the Leoni Business Group Wire Products & Solutions (BG PS) was completed. The deal included Leoni Draht GmbH, Haarländer GmbH, Leoni Temco, Ltd. and Leoni Wire (Changzhou) Co., Ltd. The company group now owned by DI Mittelstand is operating under a new name: Aerumtec - Copper Products and Solutions. Leoni Draht GmbH with its plants in Weissenburg and Bad Kötzting thus becomes Aerumtec GmbH. The plants manufacture wire, strand and rope made from copper and Leoni Histral® alloys bare and plated, as well as composite materials.

DI Mittelstand, a private investment firm that was founded in 2007, is based in Hamburg, Germany. 

Last modified on February 4, 2024

The spate of orders for cable-lying vessels (CLVs) has shown no signs of slowing as NKT reported ordering one and Taihan reported buying one.

A press release said that the NKT order, worth between $218 to $270 million, is from NKT HV Cables, a Swedish-based turn-key power cable manufacturer and installation company that is part of NKT. It is to be built by Vard and designed by Salt Ship Design AS, both firms based in Norway. The hull will be built at Vard Tulcea in Romani.

NKT said that the need for the CLV relates to the company’s “record order backlog and the strong market outlook.” The vessel will be constructed in parallel with NKT expanding its site in Karlskrona, Sweden. Both of those initiatives are scheduled to be operational in 2027.

Taihan reported that it has acquired South Korea’s only CLV, a 6,200-ton CLV specialized for submarine cables that is capable of self-propulsion and dynamic positioning. The vessel can load up to 4,400 tons of underwater cables. The addition, it said, will help the company future-proof its business “amid expected shortages of cable ships.”

Taihan notes that it plans to make full use of this vessel first for the Yeonggwang Nakwol Offshore Wind Power Project. “This acquisition positions Taihan competitively in turn-key projects that span from submarine cable production to laying. As there are only a few cable manufacturers with cable-laying capabilities, Taihan is set to lead in the burgeoning offshore wind power industry globally.”

The release said that the increasing demand for submarine cables is likely to cause a shortage of cable layers, leading to higher charter rates for such vessels. “Owning this vessel positions Taihan favorably to undertake projects steadily and tap into new revenue sources.”

Last modified on February 4, 2024

Taihan Cable & Solution (Taihan) reported winning a contract from Germany’s TenneT and another for the Yeonggwang Nakwol offshore wind farm in South Korea.

A press release said that Taihan won a contract from Germany’s TenneT to supply it EHV power cable in a deal worth about US$45 million. The project calls for 380kV underground cables that will be used to expand the transmission network for power generation. Taihan will supply the EHV cables and cable accessories, and be responsible for the power network design, cable laying, connection and testing. Taihan previously won two projects in Germany’s HV cable market worth US$52.4 million.

Taihan also reported that it has won a contract worth approximately $75 million to supply subsea cables for the 365 MW Yeonggwang Nakwol offshore wind farm in South Korea. Per multiple media reports, the order is for inter-array subsea cables that will connect 64 offshore wind turbines installed at the wind farm, and the cables connecting them with a new substation on Songi Island.

The cables will be made at Taihan’s Dangjin plant. Last October, the company was a preferred subsea cables supplier for the 532 MW Anma offshore wind project.

“With the Yeonggwang Nakwol project, we will contribute to the stabilization of the subsea cable supply chain by actively participating in various offshore wind power projects being advanced in Korea, and increase export competitiveness by using it as a stepping stone for expansion into the growing offshore wind power market in Europe and the United States,” Taihan said.

Last modified on February 4, 2024

Brazil’s Aço Cearense Group’s Siderúrgica Norte Brasil (Sinobras) has officially produced the first steel coil at its rolling mill #2 in Marabá, Pará state, Brazil.

A press release said that Sinobras invested in the new mill from Italy’s Danieli to increase its annual production capacity from 380,000 tons to 850,000 tons per year of wire rod and spooled rebar in coils. The mill features an innovative, full cantilever stand configuration with a total of 26 passes. It has 10 cantilever stands arranged in H/V configuration, followed by a series of Delta-type, fast-finishing blocks, with a 45° design, for the remaining 16 passes of the reduction sequence.

The new mill will produce wire rod from 5.5 to 16 mm, and rebar from 6.3 to 16 mm, at a maximum finishing speed of 110 m/s. The project includes a new substation and 230kV transmission line to meet the new electrical load needs of the steel producer and facilitate the use of energy from the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant, of which it is a partner as a self-producer.

Sinobras Industrial Director Milton Lima described the expansion as a transformative moment for the Group. “This achievement represents a significant milestone ... taking us to an even higher level. By doubling the size of Sinobras, we are not only expanding our operations, but we are also transforming our company into a powerhouse, generating new opportunities.

Last modified on February 4, 2024

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/.

Last modified on January 4, 2024

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.

Last modified on January 4, 2024

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