Event Prequels
INTERWIRE 2025 PREQUEL
Day 1: Tuesday, May 13
The first day of Interwire 2025 should be most memorable. It starts with a Continental breakfast in the hallway outside Room 313. WAI President Eric Bieberich will welcome attendees and introduce the Keynote Speaker: Prysmian Group North America CEO Andrea Pirondini. His 9 am talk (see below) will be followed at 9:30 am with a presentation on the future of manufacturing by Willem Sundblad, CEO, Oden Technology. At 10 am, the conference sessions begin and the show floor opens. The WAI Theater on the show floor will open at 11 am, hosting seven presentations. The day concludes with the Opening Reception at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Interwire 2025 looks to be a very busy experience, especially for those who started the day before with the Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course (see p. 46).
WAI Theater: it will feature the Mordica Lecture and lots more
The WAI Theater will once again return to the Interwire trade show floor, where it will host a total of 20 presentations. Those include seven on Tuesday, six on Wednesday—including a second presentation by featured speaker Chris Tuff, the Mordica Lecture by Dr. Emmanuel De Moor and Production Solutions (three parts)—and four on Thursday. Popcorn is included.
Tuesday’s scheduled sessions include the following presenters: 10:30 am, Carlos Paclibar, Encore Wire Corp.; 11:00 am, Jared Cullivan, Beta Control Systems, Inc.; 11:30 am, speaker TBD; 1:30 pm, Joakim Larsson, Örebro University; 2 pm, Shashi Kumar, Tata Steel Limited; and 2:30 pm and again at 4 pm, Joao Noroña, Paramount Die.
The topics and presenter bios can be seen online at www.interwire25.com.
Conference Sessions highlights
Interwire 2025 is still four months away, yet the program is largely finalized, focusing on topics of prime interest to the industry. That includes Industry 4.0/employee engagement, problem solving, “green” regulations and certifications, data center cable needs and energy legislation impact.
Following the presentations by Prysmian Group North America CEO Andrea Pirondini and Oden Technology CEO Willem Sundblad, the program will run from 10 am to 3:30 pm in Room 313.
Scheduled speakers include Sundblad, a second presentation; Andrés Cartagena Ruiz of 40Factory and MFL-X; Weifang Zhou, head of cable, CRU; Aisling Hubert, CRU; and Debra M. Phillips, NEMA. There will also be a steel industry outlook panel discussion.
Other presentations will be made over three days at the WAI Theater. For more on topics, presenters and event updates, visit www.interwire25.com.
Keynote: Prysmian North America CEO Andrea Pirondini
The Keynote presentation by Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Prysmian North America— Linking the Future: Driving Tomorrow’s Wire Solutions—will explore the transformative changes shaping the wire and cable industry in the face of evolving demand. Through innovation and embracing change, the industry can unlock new opportunities and build resilient solutions for a smarter, greener future. Pirondini became the CEO of Prysmian North America in 2021 after serving as COO of Prysmian from 2014-2021. He led the acquisition of Encore Wire and was a key player in the decision to acquire General Cable. Prior to joining Prysmian, Pirondini worked for more than 25 years with the Pirelli Group.
Opening Reception returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the location for WAI’s Opening Reception on Tuesday, May 13, will be quite familiar to many Interwire attendees as it hosted the event in 2023. Some attendees took part in one of the tours of the stadium, but it’s safe to say that everyone enjoyed the spacious setting, the menu and the opportunity to meet up with peers. Besides the relatively short walk from the Georgia World Congress Center, the location is notable for many reasons.
The stadium, which opened in 2017, uses 4,000 miles of fiber-optic cable and the fixed roof required some 85,000 bolts. Inside, some 200 pieces of artwork from 55 artists are displayed. There is much to see and take in. The reception is included with a full registration. Tickets can be bought for $145.
Expanded show floor is sold out & ready for business!
Looking for possibilities? You’ll find solutions at North America’s largest such trade show. The exhibits will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on Tuesday-Wednesday, May 14-15, and from 10 am to 3 pm on Thursday, May 15.
Some 295 exhibitors and 50+ coexhibitors will be represented on the sold-out 105,000-sq-ft show floor. The roster includes many new exhibitors. The March preshow issue will have the booth listings. For the most up-to-date list, go to the event website: www.interwire25.com.
The Interwire show floor will host the Global Roundabout, a multi-cultural experience where sponsors can share their national identity and business achievements. See the Marsh preshow issue for details.
The Mercedes experience should be a must to pencil in your schedule. A map of the Interwire 2025 show floor. Visit www.interwire25.com for an interactive view of the floor plan.
The WAI Theater will have one of its busiest schedules ever! The venue will host the Mordica Lecture by Dr. Emmanuel De Moor, a “Fireside Chat” by keynote speaker Chris Tuff and Production Solutions. The location on the show floor makes it simpler to experience both.
The WAI Resource Center will not only be on the show floor, it will be joined once again with the WAI Member Lounge, where Association members are welcome to stop by and relax.
Day 2: Wednesday, May 14
The second day of Interwire 2025 may be too full! It will see up to 50 attendees leave by bus at 8 am to take part at WAI’s first-ever Advanced Extrusion Workshop, being held at Southwire. WAI President Eric Bieberich will welcome attendees and start the Annual Meeting and Awards presentations. He will be followed by Keynote speaker/best-selling author Chris Tuff. At 10 am, the exhibits open, and the day from then on is packed with presentations and panel discussions at the WAI Theater, including the Mordica Lecture by Dr. Emmanuel De Moor, Colorado School of Mines.
Advanced extrusion course: WAI 1st that is being hosted by Southwire
The WAI’s Advanced Extrusion Workshop offers an exclusive, hands-on opportunity for professionals to deepen their understanding of wire extrusion processes. The threehour, in-depth session builds on the concepts introduced in WAI’s Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course.
The workshop, limited to 50 individuals, will see participants leave by bus Wednesday from the GWCC to go to Southwire’s plant in Carrollton. There, the workshop will be presented by two industry veterans. Richard Chamberlain, Hawkins Consulting, LLC, has decades of experience with companies such as Pirelli, Alcatel, General Cable and Prysmian. He has held dozens of extrusion training seminars at the operator and engineer level. The other presenter is David Skinner, vice president of operations, Joe Tools, Inc. His lengthy career includes more than 34 years with Southwire, where he had served as its vice president of industrial manufacturing before joining Joe Tools in January 2024. After returning from the workshop, the educational experience will continue at Interwire. Attendees will regroup at 2 pm and as a group will have VIP visits with select extrusion exhibitors.
Workshop registration is $295, $225 for WAI members.
WAI Award Ceremony
The WAI will present four awards during the annual meeting: the Mordica Memorial Award, for technical contributions to the industry; the Donnellan Memorial Award, for service to the Association; the WAI President’s Award, for a person designated by the current WAI president, and the WAI Champion Award, which goes to a person whose accomplishments have furthered his or her company. Join in this recognition of the industry’s finest.
Interwire Conference focus
There’s too much content to list it all here, so below is a list of the topics to be covered. To find information about the presenters go to interwire25.com.
AI and Industry 4.0: Exploring the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Material advancements: Discovering the latest materials innovations that enhance performance and efficiency.
Market trends & economic factors: Analyzing market dynamics/economic influences on the wire/cable sector.
Safety & standards compliance: Ensuring adherence to safety regulations and industry standards.
Sustainability & environmental impact: Promoting sustainable practices & reducing environmental footprints. Product development: Highlighting new product innovations and their applications.
Production efficiency: Improving processes to maximize efficiency and productivity.
Quality management: Implementing strategies to maintain high-quality standards.
This best-selling author/speaker is a ‘millennial whisperer’
Chris Tuff, a bestselling author and highly sought after keynote speaker, will share his insights and perspective on how companies can connect and inspire young talent of any generation. His presentation will explore the transformative changes shaping the wire and cable industry in the face of evolving demand. His first book, The Millennial Whisperer, is a USA Today bestseller that explores the importance of empathy and relationships in the workplace. It equips leaders with tools to attract and retain young talent through genuine connections. He will speak Wednesday, May 14, at 9:10 am, and at 2 pm and in a Fireside Chat at the WAI Theater on the show floor.
Chamberlain
Skinner
Conference Sessions highlights
Three morning presentations are scheduled for the WAI Theater. Speakers include Shirley Boulware, vice president, people & culture-operations, Southwire Company; Jonas Larsson, materials engineer, Nexans G&T; David Skaggs, market manager, wire drawing North America, and Stefan Kuhn, market manager, both of Bechem Lubrication Technology. They will be followed by an 11:30 am executive panel discussion on the workforce. See the March issue for details.
At 2 pm, Chris Tuff will make his second talk, a Fireside Chat at the WAI Theater with WAI 2nd Vice President Rebecca Cranford, Southwire Co. Following that will be a second presentation by Bechem market managers Skaggs and Kuhn. The session concludes with a paper: Innovative product development in the wire and cable industry: enhancing customer value at NorthStar.
Day 3: Thursday, May 15
The last day of a trade show can be a very productive one for an attendee. Exhibitors will be able to spend more time with visitors, allowing more detailed conversations, and possibly, a most memorable day. As of press time, there were 295 exhibitors from 24 countries, which does not include co-exhibitors. Also, some 20% of exhibitors were either new or not recently participated at Interwire, which means that attendees will have more opportunities to find solutions.
WAI Theater presentations: the content remains marquee-quality
The below four sessions will be held at the WAI Theater on the Interwire show floor.
10:30 am: Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids - safety, performance & application, Tony Noblit, Quaker Houghton
11:00 am: Effect of line speed on texture development in continuous cast copper rod, Gowthaman Ayyappan, senior scientist, Adiya Birla Science and Technology Company Pvt Ltd
11:30 am: Lubricant product advancements within the copper wire drawing industry, global technical service management, Metalube Group, U.K.
1:30 pm: Empowering Industry Growth: Unlocking the Potential of WAI’s Education Center and Training Platform, John Markowski, manager of education, Wire Association International. See next item.
Production Solutions
The WAI Theater will host three presentations Wednesday by industry veterans for Product Solutions. The below presenters will discuss their topics and be able to answer questions.
10:30 am: Factors affecting wire production from precoats to lubricants, Svet Pavlovsky, R&D chemist, Blachford Co
11:30 am: Wire drawing die material and profile specification considerations, Eric Bieberich, president, Fort Wayne Wire Die
2:30 pm: Wire breaks, Dr. Horace Pops, president, Horace Pops Consulting
The very last presentation marks a new era for WAI’s tech programs
The last presentation of a three-day conference may not strike one as a likely place to learn about cuttingedge advances. But you’d be wrong.
John Markowski, WAI’s manager of education, will discuss how the Association’s Education Center and new training platform are transforming professional development in the wire and cable industry.
In a relatively short time, Markowski has led efforts to deploy a real-world electronic platform that targets education of new employees. Dozens of short, focused videos have already been produced and dozens more are being added. The videos have gotten rave reviews, including from leading wire and cable manufacturers. He will discuss what has been done, what can be done and how it can benefit your operation.
Attendees can find out how they can arrange to make these videos part of their internal training programs.
GCCF 2025 PREQUEL
Day 1: Monday, May 12
The Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) conference program officially starts Tuesday, May 13, at the Georgia World Conference Center (GWCC), with a welcome by GCCF Chair Chris Tucker, but two events will be held on Monday, May 12. One is a tour of the Aurubis Richmond plant. That night, the GCCF will hold its Opening Reception at Terminus 330. Also going on Monday will be the WAI’s day-long Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing program (see p. 50).
Aurubis Richmond plant tour
The newly built Aurubis Richmond LLC operation in Augusta, Georgia, will host a tour for GCCF attendees on Monday, May 12.
The tour will depart from the Georgia World Congress Center at 8 am, and return 3:30 pm. The $800 million hydrometallurgical facility can process up to 180,000 tons of complex recycling materials annually, including circuit boards, copper cables and other metal-containing products without the need for a traditional smelter. The tour is limited to 100 people, so early registration ($50) is recommended.
Welcome back to Interwire
Planning Committee Chairman Chris Tucker and committee member Richard Baker noted that seeing such a massive operation come to life will be a once-in-a-career opportunity.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony emphasized that Aurubis Richmond will be part of the circular economy by supplying essential metals to key industries such as renewable energy, electric vehicles and battery manufacturing. Aurubis CEO Toralf Haag stated at the opening why that matters. “As the first major secondary smelter of its kind in the U.S., Aurubis Richmond will allow us to keep strategically important metals in the economy, making U.S. supply chains more independent.”
GCCF Reception at Terminus 330
Terminus 330, which will host the GCCF Opening Reception, is located at 330 Marietta St NW, within walking distance of the GWCC.
The site was chosen for more than the easy access. As the owners, note, “In addition to blending cool, hip, and gorgeous, Terminus 330 is the ultimate soup-to-nuts venue. We are well known for helping to create the most memorable of gatherings, whether they be corporate parties that pop with distinction or amazing nuptials with verve!”
The above list of quoted adjectives may need to be updated after GCCF attendees meet up with their peers.
The industry welcome mat will be out in Atlanta at Interwire, where attendees can again meet up with exhibitors, peers and inspiration. For lodging and more details, go to interwirewire25.com.
GCCF attendees have an opportunity to tour the newly constructed Aurubis Richmond plant.
Day 2: Tuesday, May 13
The GCCF starts at 8:00 am with a Continental breakfast and a welcome from GCCF Chairman Chris Tucker, Encore Wire. All events at the GWCC will be held in Room 411. The program, which begins at 8:10 am, consists of seven presentations (below) that will run through 11:20 am. They will be followed by three market updates, a Copper Development Association presentation and a global market panel discussion. GCCF attendees are invited to conclude the day by attending the Interwire Opening Reception at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Morning: Advances in casting technology sessions
The below seven sessions will all be held in Room 411 in the Georgia World Congress Center.
• Historic review of the development of FRHC rod production, 60 years in the making! Giulio Properzi Continuus-Properzi
• Advancements for the shaft melting furnace, Markus Ecker, SMS Group GmbH
• 25 Years of the UPCAST® process triangle: a training tool for key variables in upward continuous casting, Juan Carlos Bodington, Upcast
• Aurubis’ solution for EV wire application in e-motors, Cornel Abratis, Aurubis
• New refractory composition for burner blocks in copper shaft furnaces, Julio Spadaccia, Saint-Gobain
• Case history evaluations of optimized refractories used in aluminum wire melting furnaces, Bryan Nelson, Allied Mineral Products
• Development and improvement in refractories for continuous copper rod production, Ranjan Dey, Carborundum Universal Limited
Afternoon: Global Cu/Al/ scrap markets sessions
The below five sessions will all be held in Room 411 in the Georgia World Congress Center.
• Copper Market Update, John E. Gross, The Copper Journal
• Aluminum Market Update, Kaustabh Chandorkar, CRU.
• Scrap Market Update, Stephen Deacon, EMR Group
• Standardizing Recycled Content: The Copper Industry’s Path to Credible Claims, Jessica Sanderson, Copper Development Association
• Global Market Panel, all above speakers
GCCF Organizing Committee: its members make the event possible
An organizing committee serves an essential role, and it is one that personifies the essence of “behind the scenes,” as a slew of work goes into planning any international event.
Plant tours do not happen by themselves. Key topics need to be identified. Presenters, potential sponsors and venues have to be contacted, dates set, commitments made and contracts drawn up and signed. That goes even more so for the fourth staging of the GCCF, as it was last held in 2019. That’s why the Association is most appreciative by the collective efforts of the below individuals who volunteered their time to help make this event possible. Kudos also go to their companies, which include leading industry manufacturers and suppliers.
For GCCF, the list includes Chris Tucker, committee chair, Encore Wire; Richard Baker, past chair, Cableforce Consulting Group; Kurt Breischaft - SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS™; John Hugens, Hugens Metallurgy and Combustion; Martin Lecours, Rio Tinto; Giuseppe Marcantoni, Properzi International, Inc.; Janusz Sekunda, Prysmian; Juan Sanchez, Freeport-McMoRan; Patrick Slaughter, Southwire; Florin Teglas, Nexans; Rob White, Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation; and John Markowski (WAI Staff Liaison).
A group shot of some GCCF attendees in 2019.
Day 3: Wednesday, May 14
The Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) starts at 8:00 am with a Continental breakfast and a welcome from GCCF Chairman Chris Tucker, Encore Wire. All events will be held in Room 411. The program, which begins at 8:10 am, consists of nine morning presentations (below) that will run through 11:30 am, followed by eight more in the afternoon. That night, the GCCF will return to the Ventanas, the host of the GCCF’s 2019 awards dinner. See below.
Morning: Copper & Aluminum Technical Sessions
The below nine sessions will all be held in Room 411 in the Georgia World Congress Center.
• Common metallurgical and mechanical defects found in aluminum wire, Martin Lecours, Rio Tinto
• Batscan: The coming of age of a new tool for inclusion detection in liquid aluminum, Nicolas Bauret, STAS Inc.
• Effects of Aging Procedures on the Strength and Electrical Conductivity of 1xxx extruded Al conductor alloy containing Sc and Zr, Moussa Javidani, UQAC/Rio Tinto
• Metallurgical evolution of highly nanostructured Aluminum (1xxx, 4xxx and 6xxx alloys) to assess excellent quality and properties during the Properzi bar/rod and wire production, Alexandre Maltais Rio Tinto
• Methods and Measurements of the residual oil/grease level to control the AA1350/AA8030 alloy surface quality during the Properzi rod and wire production, Pascal Gauthier, Rio Tinto
• Exciting Breakthroughs in the World of Copper Chrome Zirconium, Richard Strachan, Rautomead Limited
• Stress Relief Heat Treating of CuCrZr Casting Rings, Corbin Whan, Joshua Muñoz, Arturo Gomez and Aaron Monks, Encore Wire
• Enhancing Cast Life of a Hazelett Twin Belt CONTIROD System, Alejandro Cuaron, Freeport McMoRan
• Fines Generation and Surface Damage, Horace Pops, Horace Pops Consulting
Afternoon: Lubrication, Testing, Automation, & Safety Sessions
The below eight sessions will all be held in Room 411 in the Georgia World Congress Center. More details about the presenters and the topics can be found online at www.interwire.25.com.
• Impact of Lubrication on the Hot Rolling of Copper, James Brooks, RichardsApex
• A Sustainable Nitrite-Free, Water-Soluble Lubricant for Copper Rod and Wire Hot Rolling, David Benjamin, Quaker Houghton
The 2019 staging of the GCCF saw attendees from 20 countries sit in on 37 presentations.
• Lubricant Selection for Enhancing Sustainability Profile in Copper Rod Mills, Darren TotalEnergies Marketing US
• An update on Liquid Filtration for Continuous Casting & Rod Rolling: Challenges, Solutions and Outcomes, Lawrence El-Hindi, PE, Filtertech, Inc
• Improving Quality, Safety, and Profitability in Non-Ferrous Rolling Mills using Advanced Guiding Technologies, Matthew Anderson, Primetals Technologies
• High-performance Stripper Nozzle Type W5 For Naps Line In Copper Mills, Rafael Lazo, Primetals Technologies
• What’s new with aluminum alloys at Prysmian, Janusz Sekunda, Prysmian
• Modern Combustion Code Requirements for Metal Melting Furnaces, John Hugens, Hugens Metallurgy and Combustion
Properzi International’s Giuseppe Marcantoni speaks at GCCF.
Ventanas to host GCCF’s Opening Reception
Industry veterans don’t need to have a perfect setting to enjoy themselves, but when that happens, it’s that much better. In 2019, Ventanas hosted the GCCF event, and attendees were wowed by the stunning rooftop views. It was a definite hit then and is most likely to create further good memories on Wednesday, May 14, from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Perched atop the 14th and 15th stories of the Park Pavilion building in the city’s Centennial Park District, Ventanas offers 9,547 inspiring sq ft of premier indoor and outdoor rooftop space across the street from Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. The site is only one block from the CNN Center, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, American Cancer Society and AmericasMart.
More importantly, the location will serve as the “go to” place for GCCF attendees.
Day 4: Thursday, May 15
The final day of the GCCF will start with welcome from GCCF Chairman Chris Tucker, Encore Wire. All events will be held in Room 411. The program, which begins at 8:10 am and concludes at noon, consists of eight presentations (below) and a panel discussion.
Sustainable Operations Sessions & Panel Discussion
The below sessions will all be held in Room 411 in the Georgia World Congress Center.
• Heating of Aluminum with Hydrogen Combustion to Decarbonize Aluminum Production Processes, Justin Dzik, Fives North American Combustion
• Green Aluminum for Overhead Conductors: From Mining through Manufacturing, Marc-Andre Lavoie, Rio Tinto, and Daniel Klenosky, Prysmian
• Tomorrow Metals by Aurubis – Sustainability in the Copper Industry, Thomas P. Samson, Aurubis AG
• Linde’s Oxyfuel and Hydrogen Solutions for a Greener Aluminum Melting, Brenno Ferreira, Linde Technology
• Copper Smelting Decarbonization using Linde’s Oxyfuel and Coherent Jet technologies, Brenno Ferreira, Linde Technology
• Achieving Sustainable Copper Melting Operations, John Hugens, Hugens Metallurgy and Combustion
• Reduced emissions via advanced ceramic inserts in Copper Annealing, Ethan Weikleenget, Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories
• Continuous Improvements for Sustainability, Jimmy Cooper, Southwire
• Sustainable Operations Panel, all above speakers, plus Maura Nespoli, Prysmian
An award-worthy 2019 gathering of GCCF attendees at a rooftop setting of the Ventanas. A good time was had by all.