The WAI’s Education Committee plays a pivotal role in advancing the professional development and technical knowledge of industry professionals, and its role has never been more important as the focus is on delivering an ambitious program that serves a defined need.
The committee, comprised of a diverse group of experts, oversees the creation and implementation of innovative training programs that cater to the evolving needs of the wire and cable industry. Chaired by Matt Miles of Southwire, with Erik Perks of Prysmian as vice chair, the education committee is instrumental in driving WAI’s educational initiatives. The committee includes representatives from leading companies and institutions, bringing a wealth of expertise to the table.
Currently, the committee is overseeing the development of WAI’s new online training platform, which is set to revolutionize industry education. This platform offers a growing library of video content, meticulously curated to provide professionals with accessible, high-quality training materials. From foundational courses to advanced technical sessions, the platform is designed to meet the diverse needs of industry members.
The committee also actively collaborates on in-person events, such as the Advanced Extrusion Workshop. This hands-on session will offer participants a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of extrusion processes, further showcasing the committee’s commitment to comprehensive education.
In addition to Miles and Perks, committee members include Brad Andrews of Condat Corp., Donald Dodge of Calmont Wire & Cable, Joseph Domblesky of Marquette University, Jason Giebfried of Paramount Die Co., Tracy Gooding of Mar-Mac Wire Inc.,
C. Richard Gordon of C. Richard Gordon Consulting, David Gzesh of Blachford Corp., Erik Macs of Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp., Richard Medoff of Ace Metal Inc., Isaac Muller of American Wire Group and Donald Neville of RichardsApex Europe Ltd.
Also, Dale Olp of A-1 Wire Tech Inc., Brian Parsons of Interstate Wire Co. Inc., Svet Pavlovsky of Blachford Corp., Horace Pops of Horace Pops Consulting, Cristian Rangel of Encore Wire Corp., Christopher Reeve of Insteel Wire Products, Matthew Reinoehl of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, Eric Wagner of Charter Steel and Bhaskar Yalamanchili of Gerdau Long Steel North America.
The WAI Executive Committee Liaison is Kurt Breischaft of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS and the staff liaison is John Markowski. To learn more about WAI’s education initiatives, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 203-458-4044.
The Wire Association International will present a new program—Advanced Extrusion Workshop—as part of the Association’s ever-evolving educational offerings at Interwire 2025.
Scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 9 am to noon, the exclusive workshop will be limited to 50 participants. The unique immersive learning experience is designed to build on the foundational extrusion principles introduced by Erik Macs of Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp during the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course on Monday.
The workshop will take place at Southwire’s campus in Carrollton, offering participants invaluable up-close learning with extrusion equipment, shifting from the traditional classroom setting to a more practical, equipment-focused environment. The workshop will feature breakout activities and group exercises, allowing participants to collaborate and apply concepts in a practical setting.
The session is not meant to be just a lecture but a dynamic learning experience. When participants return from Southwire they will go on organized group visits to key extrusion exhibitors on the Interwire show floor, where they can hear about the latest advances and engage directly with industry leaders.
The workshop will be co-taught by Rick Chamberlin, an extrusion veteran, Hawkins Consulting, LLC; and an expert from Southwire. They will ensure participants walk away with a deep understanding of advanced extrusion techniques and their practical applications.
Madison, Connecticut, USA – August 7, 2024 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports that to date 90% of its available INTERWIRE 2025 exhibit space has been contracted by 200 companies. The exhibition will be staged in Hall A of the Georgia World Congress Center, and open to visitors May 13-15, 2025. Companies interested in exhibiting can view available space at the event website: Interwire25.com. Contact WAI’s sales department: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
• Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. Leading off the conference, this full-day, essential primer on wire manufacturing processes will be held Monday, May 12, 2025. The course features a general track in the morning for all participants splitting into simultaneous ferrous and nonferrous tracks in the afternoon.
• Advanced Extrusion Workshop. WAI will debut this new dynamic program from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, that will build on the extrusion principles introduced in the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. Presented by Rick Chamberlain and a co-instructor, the workshop is designed to take participants to the next level of understanding and application. The workshop, which is limited to 50 participants, will include breakout sessions to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. The workshop will also include visits to exhibitors to witness extrusion machinery in action.
• Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF). This, WAI’s fourth forum for copper and aluminum continuous casting, will run May 12-15, 2025 in conjunction with INTERWIRE. The GCCF registration will include an Opening Reception on Monday, lunch and coffee breaks, a group dinner on Wednesday, and time to explore the INTERWIRE exhibit floor.
WAI will offer sponsorship opportunities for both the GCCF and INTERWIRE; contact WAI’s education department This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and sales department This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., respectively for details.
EVENT BACKGROUND: Introduced in 1981, INTERWIRE is the largest and longest-running wire and cable marketplace in the Americas. Hosted biennially, INTERWIRE is an international trade event that includes exhibiting companies, speakers, and visitors from around the world. WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2,000 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 Exposition 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
Madison, Connecticut, USA – Aug. 1, 2024 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. reports plans to host its fourth Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) for copper and aluminum May 12-15, 2025, concurrently with INTERWIRE 2025 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The conference provides a forum for academics, researchers, metallurgists, and professionals to meet and exchange innovative ideas and information on all aspects of continuous casting. A welcome reception is planned on Monday, May 12, as is an attendee dinner on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The Association is currently accepting abstracts for review, a process that remains open until the October 2, 2024, deadline. Submitted presentations should align with one of the following tracks: General; Copper; Aluminum; Lubrication & testing; or Automation & safety. Welcome topics include:
• Casting technologies
• Electrical energy
• Global copper & aluminum markets
• Cost-saving opportunities
• Filtration concepts
• Molten metal
• Combustion Systems
• Furnaces
• Degassing
• Metal flow
• Refractories
• Aluminum & Copper Alloys
• Sustainability
Abstracts should be submitted at: bit.ly/WAIabstracts by October 2, 2024. Accepted authors will be notified by November 7, 2024. Final manuscripts are due February 13, 2025.
Sponsorships are available with details at: https://www.interwire25.com/conference/castingforum
For questions or to secure a sponsorship contact: WAI’s Education Department | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel.: 203-458-4044.
WAI’s Global Continuous Casting Forum committee members include: Chairman Chris Tucker, Encore Wire; Richard Baker, Cableforce Consulting; Kurt Breischaft, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS; John Hugens, Hugens Metallurgy & Combustion; Martin Lecours, Rio Tinto; Giuseppe Marcantoni, Properzi International Inc.; Juan Sanchez, Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc.; Janusz Sekunda, Prysmian; Patrick Slaughter, Southwire Co.; Florin Teglas, Nexans; and Rob White, Hazelett Strip-Casting Corp.
WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with more than 2,000 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.
Aaron Folkening was named president of Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure (IEI). He has a proven history of leadership of the company’s business unit, having been part of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and parent company of Marmon IEI, since 2007. He has served as the vice president of finance for four groups, most recently serving within Marmon’s Electrical Group. He succeeds Chris Venice, who retired as president of Marmon IEI after 20 years. He will serve as a senior vice president for Marmon IEI, focusing on key strategic initiatives and remaining a trusted business advisor for the IEI team. Based in East Granby, Connecticut, Marmon IEI, a division of Marmon Electrical, offers a wide range of wire and cable products and solutions.
OmniCable, LLC, reported multiple recent additions to personnel. Jeremy Crosby is the company’s national account manager. He has more than eight years of experience in the electrical industry. He previously was the regional sales manager at nVent Hoffman, and previously ran several CED locations in the Southeast. New appointments for the company’s Communications Business Unit include Todd Rhen, vice president of broadband sales, who is responsible for a team consisting of both outside and inside sales personnel. He has more than 26 years of industry experience, most recently as senior vice president of sales at Comstar Supply for nearly 10 years. He also held similar sales and leadership roles at Graybar, Prysmian, Draka and Alcatel. Steven Scudder joins OmniCable as outside sales manager – broadband. He held senior sales roles with OFS, Prysmian, Superior Essex and American Polywater, among others. Lacy Worn is a key account manager – enterprise. He has over 20 years of experience as a sales leader and contributor at Wesco/CSC. He will support the company’s southern region. Based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, OmniCable LLC is a redistributor selling wire, cable, fiber, and other communications and electrical products exclusively to distributors.
Brad Comstock has been promoted to sales manager for International Wire, High Performance Conductors Division. He joined the company in 2011 as a sales representative for its bare wire division. Based in Inman, South Carolina, the International Wire Group’s High Performance Conductors Division produces specialty high performance conductors for the aerospace, medical, automotive, computer, telecommunications, mass transportation, geophysical and electronics markets.
Obituary
Joseph (Joe/Fuzzy) Frederick Pistell, a longtime employee of R.H. Miller, died at age 91 at his home in Cortland, New York. Pistell earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Syracuse University. He worked as a chemical engineer and sales manager for R.H. Miller, Pennwalt Corporation, for more than 30 years. During his tenure there he developed three products that were patented. He also served for a short time in the U.S. Army and then in the National Guard for eight years. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and friends, especially his best friend of more than 80 years, Harold Miller. He is survived by his sons Joseph and Lee Pistell, a step-daughter, and three great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, René, and daughter, Laura.
The WAI’s Ohio Valley Chapter (OVC) is preparing for its golf tournament on Aug. 22 at the Kensington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio, where the event will begin with the two split elements: the golf tournament (8 am start) and the first-ever Marksmanship & Accuracy Instruction (MAI) Event.
The golfers will head to the links at the golf club while those who signed up for the MAI program will go to The Training Range, Inc., a firearms training, indoor range and firearms center in Austintown, Ohio.
Some non-golfers have chosen that path on their own in past years, and now that option has been clearly spelled out. Those that wish to do this need to be at the target range, at 4445 Mahoning Ave, Austintown, about 15 minutes away from the golf course and the Courtyard Hotel. Per Rick Bray, WAFIOS Machinery Corp., participants will sit in on a brief range safety course at 8:50 am, and the range will be available from 9 am to 11 am. For further details contact Bray at tel. 475-414-6130 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The program will allow participants to go to the site in the morning and return to the golf course in plenty of time to sit in on the educational program and awards banquet.
The scheduled speakers are Dave Brambert, president of Fifth Wave Manufacturing (AI in Manufacturing); Tim Moury, president and CEO of Vericheck Technical Services, Inc., and Technical Director Marco Degasperi (metal analyzing equipment and ISO17025 accredited training and services); and Steve Lebischak, founder of Polara Golf (self-correcting golf ball technology).
For more details and to register, go to the Chapter website or contact WAI Member Services Manager Corey Flynn at tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 128,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
In a short time, the WAI has made significant strides in its online learning and professional development platform.
WAI staff is in the process of developing content and building out the platform. It is set for a soft launch later this year, with a full release at the beginning of 2025. One of the first offerings will be an introductory course on Ferrous Metallurgy, which is already nearing completion, alongside 12 general manufacturing safety courses. Each one consists of short videos, none lasting more than five minutes. Each module includes knowledge checks throughout the videos. Upon completing a module, learners receive a certificate of completion.
If you are interested in knowing more about the program and receiving early access to the platform
during the soft launch phase, contact John Markowski, project manager, education, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or 203-458-4044.
Readers can expect to see more news about the video learning platform in this section in future issues.
Attendees of Interwire and the Global Continuous Casting Forum will find that extensive educational sessions and forums programs will await them in 2025 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Below is a quick look at the elements that will be offered.
• Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. Leading off the event, this full-day, essential primer on wire manufacturing processes, will be held Monday, May 12, 2025.
• The Interwire Conference Program.
This will include a series of presentations and panels addressing the latest industry trends and innovations. It also includes the above-cited workshop, which is limited to 50 participants. Future issues will hone in on the specifics for the other elements.
• The Global Continuous Casting Forum.
This dedicated conference, being held for the fourth time, will address advances in continuous casting.
• Production Solutions
To be held in the WAI Theater on the show floor, open to all, the session will include presentations on precoats/lubricants, wire breaks and wire drawing dies. The WAI Theater will also host several bonus technical sessions and the Mordica Lecture.
Details regarding the call for papers and sponsorship opportunities for Interwire 2025 can be found at
interwire25.com.
As part of its commitment to expanding educational offerings, the Wire Association International will debut a new dynamic program—Advanced Extrusion Workshop—at Interwire 2025.
The workshop, to be held from 9 am to noon on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, will build on the extrusion principles introduced by Erik Macs in the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course on Monday, May 12. It will be presented by Rick Chamberlain and a co-instructor.
The workshop is designed to take participants to the next level of understanding and application. The capacity will be limited to 50 participants. Participants will engage in breakout sessions to ensure a comprehensive, dynamic learning experience. The workshop will also include visits to exhibitors to witness extrusion machinery in action
Taiwan’s Walsin Lihwa plans to build what will be the first submarine power cable plant in Taiwan.
Per an exclusive report in Nikkei Asia, Walsin Lihwa is teaming up with Denmark’s NKT Group via a joint venture called Walsin Energy Cable System. “We think it’s extremely critical to have a local supply of cables for the offshore wind farms that Taiwan is building for its renewable energy transition,” Walsin Energy COO Justin Wong told Nikkei Asia. “The industry worldwide is seeing a shortage of cable supply as demand picks up so quickly for all the offshore wind farm construction driven by the global green energy push.”
The first plant, in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, is scheduled to start test production in the second half of 2025, with full production planned for 2027.
Industry report: the global magnet wire market looks to be quite strong to 2030
An industry report from Market Business Insights, The Global Magnet Wire Market, projects to climb from $32.65 billion in 2022 to $48.65 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.11%.
Per the company, demand for magnet wire has been driven by the expanding automotive sector, particularly the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), which require extensive use of electromagnets and transformers. Other factors include the growing emphasis on renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. The market faces volatility in raw material prices, particularly copper and aluminum, which are critical for magnet wire production. Technological advancements in insulation materials and the development of high-efficiency magnet wires are anticipated to offer new growth opportunities in the market. The magnet wire market has also seen intense rivalry among key players on innovation and strategic partnerships.
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