Canada’s Mattr Corp. has agreed to acquire AmerCable Incorporated (AmerCable), a globally recognized U.S. manufacturer of highly engineered wire and cable solutions that will be incorporated into Mattr’s Connection Technologies reporting segment

A press release said that the deal, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by the end of the year. AmerCable, which is part of Nexans, is based in the U.S. in Arkansas, where it manufactures electrical power, control and instrumentation cables for harsh environments. The company has some 300 employees and reported 2023 sales of $248 million.

“This agreement aligns with our strategy to refocus on Electrification and simplify the Group,” said Nexans CEO Christopher Guérin. He noted that AmerCable, acquired in 2012, has been a key pillar of Nexans’s Industry & Solutions portfolio. Over the last decade, the business has gone through a significant transformation, and in the last three years, with the implementation of Nexans’s SHIFT program, it has been brought to its full potential and full capacity. “It was therefore the appropriate time to look for a new owner that could invest and grow the business further as our cycle was successfully completed.”

“The pending acquisition of AmerCable will be a significant step forward in (our) strategy to enhance our wire and cable business exposure within the large and growing U.S. market,” said Mattr President Mike Reeves.

Mattr came into existence in 2023 by the rebranding of Shawflex Ltd. to reflect the company’s transformation from an energy services organization into a materials technology company. It is split between a composite systems segment (pipe for oil and gas) and connection technologies, which include Shawflex’s highly specified custom wire and cable products for complex applications and extreme environments as well as shrink tubing products and accessories.

Reeves observed that the transaction will broaden his company’s existing portfolio and add medium-voltage electrical power, control and instrumentation cable solutions. That will enhance North American manufacturing capacity, and allow Mattr to better serve customers in Canada and the U.S.

Last year Mattr announced that it would relocate its Shawflex business to a larger, more efficient facility in Vaughan, Ontario, in a phased manner expected to be completed in 2025, with full production in 2026.

Hellenic Cables, based in Greece, recently announced that it would supply cable for two projects, one in the U.S. and other for the Netherlands.

A press release said that Hellenic Cables will be a supplier to the Leading Light Wind project, a large U.S. offshore wind project located over 40 miles off the coast of New Jersey. The company will provide 65 km of 132 kV inter-array cables for Invenergy, the project’s lead developer, and co-developer energyRe. It noted that Leading Light Wind is the only American-led project in the New York Bight lease area. The delivery of the inter-array cables is scheduled for 2030, with the production of certain cable components starting immediately at the Hellenic Cable plant in Corinth.

Hellenic Cables is part of Cenergy Holdings. “Our contribution ... underscores (our) commitment to providing pioneering solutions that support the energy transition and enhance sustainability on a global scale,” said Cenergy Holdings CEO Alexis Alexiou.

Hellenic Cables also reported that it has a long-term agreement with Enexis Netbeheer (Enexis), one of the Netherland’s largest electricity network operators. Enexis is using eight cable suppliers as part of a €2.3 billion investment program to enhance power distribution infrastructure across five Dutch provinces.

Hellenic Cables will provide a portion of the power cable that will be needed over the next 12 years. That was estimated at 40,000 km of medium-voltage cables and 36,000 km of low-voltage cables to modernize local grids. “This project not only strengthens our presence in the Dutch power distribution market but also represents a sizeable step in Europe’s clean energy transition,” said Hellenic Cables General Manager Kostas Savvakis.

WAI’s four chapters that offer scholarship programs have reported the winners for 2024. Below are the names of the recipients from the Midwest Chapter and the Ohio Valley Chapter. Of note, scholarship fund raising efforts have found strong support over the years, and not just from members that have a potential recipient.

Lake Cable’s Cooper Runzel said that he is a believer in the Midwest Chapter’s college scholarship program, and he would like to see it evolve more so there is even more support. That could involve sponsorships from outside chapter membership and may focus even more on candidates that intend to pursue careers in industry.

The Ohio Valley, which became the fourth WAI chapter to have a scholarship program, gave out its first-ever award. “The OVC was honored to join the other chapters and award a scholarship to a very deserving individual, Katherine Maxwell,” said Stephen Wright of Blachford Corp. “We look forward to more individuals joining the OVC in order to take part in this scholarship opportunity.”


Midwest Chapter Winners - $1,500:

Jaida Bender is the daughter of Robert Bender, operations manager, Worth Steel & Machinery, Inc. She is attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she majors in nursing.

Jack Dickerson is the son of Peter Dickerson, president, MidWest Wire Works. He is attending Bradley University, where he majors in game design.

Logan Wilson is the son of Margaret Wilson, account executive, ShapedWire-Liberty Steel. He is attending Northern Illinois University, where he majors in mechatronics. 

Ohio Valley Chapter Winner - $1,500:

Katherine Maxwell is the daughter of Tom Maxwell Jr., president, Die Quip Corporation. She is attending the University of Kentucky, where she majors in architecture.