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The message from this CEO is clear: the electric grid must be a top U.S. priority
Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinson believes the promise of an all-electric future in North America is here, one that will see an oil, coal and gas-based economy become an electrified one. This goal is real, exciting and attainable, but only if vital steps are taken, and that starts with a commitment to investing in the electrical grid and addressing key related issues.
The story of ‘green’ has multiple chapters
The concept of following a green approach to control global warming has widespread support, yet the exact steps to get there are not always so clear. This feature has a CRU market study, some manufacturer activities and thoughts on the business potential as well as a look at Scopes 1 to 3, why it takes so long to get permits for key projects and a forecast of sorts: the weather out there will remain hot ... as will funding and regulation matters.
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FALL INVENTORY HIGHLIGHTS
EXPL498 – 3½” Davis Std Optical Fiber Sheathing Line, 84” PO/TU
EXPL492 – 4½” Davis Std Jacketing Line, 96” PO/TU
EXPL417 – 2” Davis Standard Hi Temp Extrusion Line, EKP800 TU
EXRL44 – 3½”/3½” Davis Std Rubber Ext Line, Clipper PA-1000
EXP1506 – 165mm Davis Std, 30:1 Extruder, Therm III, 150HP DC (2)
EXP1504 – 1¼” Merritt Davis 24:1 Ext, 4.6kW AC Motor
EXP1488 – 4½” Davis Std, 24:1 Extruder, Thermatic III, 150HP DC
EXP1485 – 1¼” American Kuhne 24:1 Extruder, Air Cool
EXP1467 – 2” Davis Std., 24:1, Therm III Hi Temp Extruder
EXP1189 – 80mm Nextrom, 24:1 Extruder, 79.1 kW DC Motor
EXP1131 – 3½” Davis Std 24:1 Extruder, Therm III, 75 HP DC
EXR212 – 3½”Davis Std 15:1 Rubber Extruder, Therm III (3)
TKU1750 – 36” Viteck Shaftless TU, Uhing Traverse, AC Motor/Drive
TKU1738 – 84” AFA/Kabmatik Traversing Reel Takeup, 15,000#
TKU1737 – 84” Davis Std S/L Takeup, 10 HP Yaskawa AC Drive
TKU1735 – 72” Davis Electric Shaftless Takeup, 10 HP AC
TKU1734 – 84” Davis Std S/L Takeup, 5 HP AC, 20,000#
TKU1666 – 2m Skaltek U20-T Portal Floor Trav TU, Dancer, Guide (2)
TKU1641.2 – 2.6m Skaltek U26T, Portal Floor Trav TU, 12,000 kg (3)
TKU1456 – 1.3m N-M Parallel Axis Dual Shaftless TU, EKP-130
PAY2541 – 36” Hall S/L PO, 3 HP ECC Motor, Air Lift
PAY2529 – 36” Davis Elect S/L PORA-M PO, Elect Brake
PAY2041 – 72” MGS S/L PO, Air Caliper Brake, 14000#
RWD693 – 2.6-2.6m Nokia Maillefer Rewind Line, Counter, Sparker
RWD686 – 120” Queins Portal Rewind Line, AB PLC, Siemens AC Drives
CBR1457 – 630mm Northampton Triple Twist Twinners (6)
CBR1456 – Watson/Kinrei 560mm Twinner, Model HK560R, Yr 2007
CBR1452 – 48” Ceeco Drum Twister, Open Fork, 30 HP AC
CBR1449 – 30” Cook Single Twist Buncher, BH-30, 15 HP AC Inverter
CBR1448 – Tensor SZ Stranding Linre, 15 plate, Pan Payoffs
CBR1437 – 24” TEC BackTwist PO (4 sets of 2), 800 RPM
CBR1435 – 630mm Setic Backtwist Dual Payoff, Yr 2019, AC Vector
CBR1353 – 30” Ceeco Planetary Line, 12+18, Dual Ecc Taper, 84” TU
CBR1296 – 36” Allard, Single Twist Closer, Model STC-36
CBR1279 – 630mm Krupp Rigid Stranding Line, 12+18, N-M 2.6m TU
TPR462 – Nashoba 3 Head Concentric Taping Line
WRD1169 – SAMP MS/400 Rod Breakdown Line
WRD1168 – Syncro 18T-10 Tandem Rod Breakdown Line
WRD1115 – Niehoff 16W Drawing Line, MMH101, Annealer, Spoolers
WRD1105 – Niehoff M85 Rod Breakdown, Annealer Drop Coiler
WRD1090 – Niehoff 14W Drawing Line, MMH120, Annealer, Spooler
WRD1081 – Niehoff MT 200 Wire Drawer w/RDA 200 Annealer, Yr 200 (2)
WRD1018.2 – Syncro FX-13 Rod Breakdown Line, Niehoff Annealer
MSC2553 – 5” Bartell BX Armoring Line, (2005), 108” PO, 108” TU
MSC2487 – 2” Calmec Interlock Armoring Line, 84” PO/TU
CAT700 – 72” MGS Belt Caterpuller, LC72DW, DC, R-L
CAT677 – 60” MGS/Hall Belt Caterpuller, AC Drive, R-L
CAP925 – 20” AW Machy Over/Under Wet Capstan, 40’
DAN332 – 18” x19’ Webster Vert Dancer Accumulator, 10x9 UHMWPE
TBR221 – 10” Bartell Tubular Strander, 6W, Outside, Model 6B64 (9)
30” Syncro 7W Tubular Strander TBR228
D-S Rubber Extruder, 20:1 EXR205
Bartell 6.5” 18B62 Tubular Stranders (9) TBR220
40” Watson 6W Planetary Line CBR1468
Royle 2.2m Portal Rewind Line RWD696
TEC 2.5” Fiber Sheath Line EXPL499
INDUSTRY NEWS
reports of industry activity
Yangtze expands Poland plant, starts optical fiber cable production in Mexico
China’s Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC) reports that it has expanded production at its Poland plant and started production at its expanded plant in Mexico.
A press release said that on July 12, the company’s expansion project was successfully completed, marked by the first reel of indoor cable rolling off the production line in the new workshop. Construction of the plant began in 2021 with the first reel of qualified outdoor cable produced in February 2022. Full capacity was reached in October 2022 and the subsidiary’s growth to a project to expand the plant’s indoor cable production in 2023. That project is wrapped up, and the plant’s current product mix is now more diversified and better able to cater to the European market’s demand.
YOFC also announced that operations commenced Aug. 8 at Yangtze Optics Mexico Cable S.A. de C.V. in Mexico’s Jalisco State, marking its first production facility in the nation. It said that this development represents a significant phase in YOFC’s international strategy and positions the company to capitalize on the growing demand for telecom infrastructure in Mexico for which it will supply fiber optic cables and solutions.
“We look forward to Yangtze Optics Mexico providing customers with the best solutions through its strong professional technology and high-quality product services, becoming the most trusted fiber optic cable supplier in the area,” said YOFC President and Executive Director Zhuang Dan.
YOFC notes that since 2014, it has embraced the national Belt and Road Initiative and embarked on “a relentless journey of internationalization.” Its products are now sold to more than 100 countries and regions.
TS Conductor plans capacity expansion, cites strong investor support for its mission
TS Conductor has raised $60 million to finance a significant expansion of its U.S. manufacturing capacity for its advanced conductors.
A press release said that most of the funds will go to opening a new, much larger factory at an unnamed location in the Eastern U.S. The new factory will have about 10 times the annual capacity of its Southern California facility, which can produce 5,000 miles of conductors.
TS Conductor notes that it has support from very credible companies in the transmission field. Along with lead investor Wellington Management and early-stage investor Breakthrough Energy Ventures, investors in the recent funding round included the venture arm of utility National Grid; U.S. utility holding company Edison International; a subsidiary of leading U.S. renewable energy developer NextEra Energy Resources; Energy & Environment Investment, Inc.; and Quanta Services, a major transmission project engineering and management firm.
The release said that TS Conductor’s advanced conductors, made of aluminum surrounding a carbon composite core, are lighter, stronger and capable of carrying more electricity than the aluminum and steel cables that are used across most of the grid. They can serve an important role in improving the U.S. power grid.
Since its inaugural U.S. deployment with MontanaDakota Utilities, in 2021, TS Conductor has been working with the federally owned power company Tennessee Valley Authority, Arizona utility Arizona Public Service,
YOFC staff in Poland marks expansion of their plant.
Carbon composite core being produced at TS Conductor’s factory in Southern California.
3 fiber technology winners named from Fiber Connect 2024
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced three winners of the Proof of Concept (PoC) Showcase from those that were demonstrated at Fiber Connect 2024. A press release said that the PoC entries were collaborative projects involving at least one member company of FBA or Broadband Forum (BBF). The winners were announced at the event, held in Nashville, Tennessee.
Most Innovative Award. This was presented to Taara, for its “Free Space Optical Communication” PoC. Its demonstration showcased the role of wireless optical communication (WOC) technology in helping bridge middle mile gaps in broadband infrastructure and highlights three use cases: fiber backup, high-capacity backhaul at temporary or seasonal event venues, and disaster relief.
Biggest Impact Award. This was presented to Nokia and Condor Technologies for their “Wholesale Open Access for FTTH Networks” PoC. The company presented an enhanced wholesale API and UI for FTTH networks that give VNO tenants autonomy and flexibility and gives operators the ability to increase take rate and ROI of their fiber investment, attract more VNOs and increase wholesale revenues by 23%.
Game Changer Award. This was presented to Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA), Luna Innovations and Underline Infrastructure for their “Fiber Optic Sensing in Telecom Applications.” Their demonstration enabled network operators to monitor physical cable plants to detect threats, prevent damage, pinpoint and categorize events, and more.
“Each year, the Fiber Connect PoC Showcase displays incredible innovation, and this year, demonstrations were elevated further through our collaboration with the Broadband Forum,” said Evan Freeman, FBA Board Member and Conference Committee Chair, and Vice President of Government & Community Relations at EPB of Chattanooga. “While we congratulate three deserving winners, each PoC should be applauded for their application of fiber broadband for the Connected Home. These concepts truly demonstrate fiber’s power to accelerate our future.”
“The PoC demonstrations, based on our certification programs, represent the demands of the service providers for interoperable, multi-vendor networks,” said Ken Pyle Director of Marketing at Broadband Forum.
Industry Voices
Embracing the all-electric future: powering the next electrical revolution
Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinson’s more than 40-year career in the electrical sector has seen him lead his company’s strategy and efforts toward sustaining a multi-generational future. He has also made time to have a presence in the industry, serving as chairman of the board for NEMA while being a vocal supporter of the role of electrification.
Rich Stinson
Southwire President and CEO
The promise of an all-electric future in North America is here. We are going through tremendous change, moving from an oil, coal and gas-based economy to an electrified one. This promise is real – it is exciting, and it is attainable – but only maybe…
Electrification is nearly everywhere we look. Electric vehicles, data centers, renewables and other factors are
accelerating demand. It’s clear: society today wants and assumes that everything that can be electric probably will be electric.
These changes are good; however, while there is much excitement, there are also significant challenges.
We are facing a massive increase in demand for electricity – and this demand is paced to outstrip supply soon.
Data centers are a great example of an area that’s driving demand. We live in a world where society truly runs on data. The more data we create, the more data centers we need. In the first half of 2023, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
adoption led to 25% year-over-year growth in data center construction. Today, data centers use four percent of our total electricity. The latest projections show it will be six percent by 2026, a 50% demand increase in only one piece of the economy.
There is significant variability in demand forecasts. We cannot predict demand in the same way we could five to ten years ago. I do not believe there is an existing model that we can confidently use to forecast demand. The Department of Energy, economists and major research companies all say different things – ranging from 21% to 250% growth in demand between now and 2050.
The word to focus on is congruence - the balance of the four pieces of the system – generation, transmission, distribution and demand. There is demand, and the supply of that electricity only happens when the three other piecesgeneration, transmission and distribution - come together.
The problem? If supply can’t keep up with that demand, everything will grind to a halt and have devastating consequences. The math doesn’t add up. What’s contributing to the imbalance of supply and demand?
Four main choke points
First, the grid. It’s old and buckling under the strain. Before we expand, we must figure out how to replace and modernize what exists today. And, it’s fragmented. The U.S. grid has three sections and 12 transmission planning areas that are isolated from each other - excess supply can’t be shared across regions when demand peaks in one area and dips in another.
Second, the regulatory environment. 75% of new generation projects never make it to commissioning because of permitting hurdles, and the speed with which electricity generation projects get approved and commissioned is slow. The average wait time for approval is four years.
Editor’s note: This occasional section is meant to provide a venue for a person in the industry to discuss industry topics of interest, both direct and indirect. To contribute, send an e-mail to editor@wirenet.org.
Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinson.
SpringWorld to include SMI partner
SpringWorld, presented by the Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc. (CASMI), returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, bolstered by the addition of a key industry partner, the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI). The resulting program—which CASMI for years has called “the world’s greatest spring show,” will be that much more comprehensive when it is presented Wednesday, Oct. 2, through Friday, Oct. 4.
The partnership between SMI and CASMI brings together the spring industry under one roof for a dynamic all-in-one expo and symposium. Previously, SMI and CASMI hosted separate industry events alternating years, but have joined forces for 2024.
“This collaboration is a win-win for both organizations,” said CASMI President Joe Wesner, vice president of Sterling Spring. He noted that SpringWorld is approaching pre-pandemic exhibitor numbers, with more than 30,000 sq ft of exhibitor space sold.
ident of business development at Newcomb Spring. “The energy is palpable. There’s a real sense of excitement and anticipation.”
The exhibit hall, hosted by CASMI, will showcase the newest equipment/technologies from spring makers, OEMs, distributors, coiling, grinding, peening and wire forming companies. There were 90+ exhibitors at the last event. It will be open Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm, with a “Taste of Chicago” networking event from 5 pm to 6 pm, and from 10 pm to 6 pm on Thursday, with an “Oktoberfest” networking event from 5 to 6 pm, and from 10 am to 1 pm on Friday, Oct. 3.
“This year’s SpringWorld is like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” said SMI President Don Jacobson III, vice pres-
The SMI educational symposium, which includes some two dozen presentations, is free to attendees who register before Sept. 18. It will start on Thursday with a keynote economic outlook by David Oppedahl, policy advisor, economic research department, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. During the two days, the program (see the schedule at the event website) will include the following presentations. Micki Vandeloo, president, Lakeview Consulting, access to manufacturing grants and funding for apprenticeship programs, and another on leadership training opportunities; Chelle Travis, executive director, SkillsUSA, building a skilled workforce; Raquel Chole, president and CEO, Global Leadership Resources, discussing mentoring opportunities for women, and another on eliminating rework; Jason Sicotte, director, global engineering, Associated Spring, shot peen process innovation.
Also, Dr. Laura Helmrich-Rhodes, regulatory compliance consultant, SMI, about safety committees; and Jörg Eisele, head of the Tube and Wire Division and sales director, WAFIOS, about IQ Technologies for compression and torsion springs, and another on the latest developments in wire straightening, along with E.J. Neron, national sales manager, Witels Albert.
Also, Jackie Bozart, president & co-founder, Sell.Market. Win., LLC, creating a comprehensive marketing plan; Dr. Laura Helmrich-Rhodes, regulatory compliance consul-
IWCS: 2024 event to be memorable
The IWCS Symposium Committee has crafted a robust program that includes a focus on key industry trends for the 73rd annual IWCS Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum (IWCS), to be held Oct. 14-17, 2024.
“We very much hope that everyone plans to attend this year’s IWCS Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum, back in Providence, Rhode Island, USA!” declared IWCS Director/CEO David Kiddoo, who said the experience will be memorable. “With the incredible technology advancements that will be presented, the tremendous networking opportunities from being back together again, as well as the critical sessions covering trends and strategic information that will drive your business for the next decades, we trust you will find this year’s event compelling as your business sets the stage for 2025 and beyond!”
The IWCS Symposium Committee restructured the typical event schedule to provide an optimum experience for exhibitors, speakers and attendees. The first day has long been just for the Professional Development Courses. Now, it will also feature the Plenary Session and the first three of the 14 technical sessions, followed by the Welcome Reception. The changes can be seen on the schedule on the opposite page.
Kiddoo encouraged attendees to be there Monday for the Plenary Session Luncheon. It will feature IWCS welcome remarks, award presentations and a thought-provoking keynote presentation, “The Convergence of Energy and Data: Powering and Connecting the Grid of the Future” by Dr. Massoud Amin, recognized around the world as the “Father of the Smart Grid.”
for spending time on the show floor.
The 2024 Supplier Exhibition schedule was adjusted to provide attendees more flexibility
Chief Economist Robert Fry, a long-time IWCS speaker, will return to share his economic outlook.
Bianca Hydutsky will again moderate an industry sustainability and recycling panel discussion, which was popular last year.
Green: is 1.5° a possibility?
Key manufacturers continue to pursue a ‘green’ path for good business and to control carbon emissions, yet the road beyond Scopes 1 and 2 can be uncertain as the largest target by far—Scope 3—is by far the most difficult one to address. The Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal feels more unattainable than ever. This update includes some company achievements and products, a near employee revolt and more. Also, see p. 24.
The Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal remains all too hot a story
Goals are important for any business, and the Paris Agreement of 2015 called for limiting any global temperature increase to 1.5°C of an 1850-1900 baseline. Equally important to setting goals is being able to measure what has or has not been accomplished. Two such bodes — one a specialized agency of the United Nations and the other an EU entity — recently submitted some sobering data.
In 2015, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) considered the possibility of global temperature temporarily exceeding a 1.5°C rise above the 1850-1900 baseline to be close to zero. Per a report (June 4, 2024) from the WMO, there is now an 80% chance of that happening for at least one year between 2024 and 2028.
This prediction is a significant change from 2015. The WMO predicts that the global mean near-surface temperature for each year between 2024 and 2028 will be between 1.1°C and 1.9°C higher than the 1850-1900 baseline. “This is a stark warning that we are getting ever closer to the goals set in the Paris Agreement on climate change, which refers to longterm temperature increases over decades, not over one to five years.”
The WMO notes that the 2015 Paris Agreement
was meant to inspire efforts to counter global warming. Breaching the 1.5°C goal doesn’t necessarily mean the goal is a permanent loss, rather it can be seen as the need to “change course immediately to avoid losing the ability to keep below 2°C.”
Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (Copernicus), which works with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRWF), reported that each of the past 12 months (June 2023-May 2024) set a new global temperature record for the time of year. “Given these 12 monthly records, the global average temperature for the last 12 months is also the highest on record, at 1.63°C above the 1850–1900 pre-industrial average,” according to the Copernicus Climate Change ERA5 dataset.
Global temperature dipped in 2020 — about 0.3°C from 2019, due to Covid — but Copernicus deemed 2023 to be the hottest year in at least 174 years (records go back to 1850). Temperatures first topped the 1.5°C goal in or following February 2023, and 2023 was the first year where every day topped 1°C above the target. Nearly half topped 1.5°C, and two days in November topped 2°C. The lone positive for 2024 was that July was just under 1.5°C. “The overall context hasn’t changed. Our climate continues to warm.”
The ECMRWF weather room.
Call for papers:
manufacturing
The rapid technological growth that has altered today’s wire and cable manufacturing landscape calls for new measures of understanding and implementation. Share your expertise at INTERWIRE 25 in one of the following areas:
•AI and Industry 4.0
•Material Advancements
•Market Trends & Economic Factors
•Safety & Standards Compliance
•Sustainability & Environmental Impact
•Product Development
•Production Efficiency
•Quality Management
•System Security
•Workforce Training
•Professional Development
Submit your abstract here: bit.ly/WAIabstracts
Accepted authors receive one year WAI membership & conference registration.
ABSTRACTS DUE: OCTOBER 3, 2024
NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE: NOVEMBER 7, 2024
MANUSCRIPTS DUE: FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Conference: May 13 - 15, 2025
Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta • Georgia • USA