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.

South Korea’s Taihan Cable & Solution (TC&S) announced that on July 24, they held a launching ceremony for the 6,200-ton submarine cable laying vessel “Palos” at the Godeok Pier in the Asan National Industrial Complex, Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, where their submarine cable factory is located.

Per a report in KoreaITtimes.com, the Palos is the only offshore wind power CLV (Cable Laying Vessel) in the country and can load up to 4,400 tons of submarine cable at once. Attendees at the event included representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Wind Energy Industry Association, as well as various power companies, clients, and partner companies also attended.

Palos is a CLV designed and built specifically for submarine cable laying from the start, offering superior performance compared to CLBs (Cable Laying Barges) that are repurposed cargo barges. Unlike general vessels, Palos has a flat bottom, allowing it to be deployed to various sites regardless of water depth. It is equipped with advanced features such as the Dynamic Positioning System (DP2), which ensures precise vessel positioning. It can travel at a speed of up to 9 knots, enabling it to manage submarine cable laying much more accurately and stably compared to CLBs, which are towed by tugboats and cannot respond as effectively to weather changes and tides.

“Today’s launching ceremony marks South Korea’s rise to one of the few countries globally equipped with a CLV, with only about 30 such vessels existing worldwide,” said CT&S Vice Chairman Song Jong-min. “Palos will ... serve as a critical strategic asset that protects Korea’s offshore wind power market from overseas influences.”

In other news, TC&S said the company has won a new U.S. power grid EHV cable order worth $137 million. The company will supply the cables to an unnamed customer for an underground project in the eastern part of the U.S.

TC&S noted that its net profit for 2023 (71.87 billion won) was triple that of the prior year (21.83 billion won), and that the company’s order backlog is now 1.94 trillion won as of the end of the first quarter.

Cemanco LLC reports that it will be the North American representation of PETIG AG of Germany, global leader in hydraulic cable shears and steel rod cutters.

A press release said that Petig AG entered the hydraulic cutting tool market in 1950, and today the company is exporting their products to more than 40 countries. Its products range from the HKS 9, a cutter that can cut cables with a diameter up to 350 mm and upset testing machine marked another milestone to multiple punch systems and state-of-the-art CNC driven tube and section punching systems. Petig AG is well-known for its deformation-free punching of sections.