J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4 | W W W. W I R E N E T. O R G
THE YEAR TO COME Report to Members 2024 Officers
O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E W I R E A S S O C I AT I O N I N T E R N AT I O N A L
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REPORT TO MEMBERS By Steve Fetteroll, executive director There was a flurry of activity for much of the wire and cable industry in 2023, as a return to more active times continued, especially for the power sector. In May, WAI returned to Atlanta after a Covid-induced skip cycle, to stage Interwire 2023. It also took to the road once again for international technical conferences, holding not one but two, and announced a new educational initiative. This section looks at some of what transpired during what, overall, should be seen as a good year.
WAI live events back on track
At Interwire 2023, Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinson, l, accepts the inaugural WAI Champion Award from WAI President Kurt Breischaft. Stinson also delivered a memorable keynote address, “The future is electrified.” Siripurapu, chief innovation and R&D officer of the Prysmian Group. He was followed by two themed conference sessions, the first of which was Industry 4.0. That session included an enthralling interview by Oden Technologies CEO Willem Sundblad of Southwire
2023
This report leads off with Interwire 2023 because the Association’s officers, volunteers and staff worked hard to make sure that the bi-annual event serves the wire and cable industry. Having lost the live event in 2021 due to Covid, what was seen and heard at the Georgia World Congress Center was most important. I’m most pleased to report that Interwire delivered. The event, held in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 9-11, drew 3,184 people from 43 states and 42 countries. A total of 285 wire and cable operations were represented. The show floor, as ever, was a marquee attraction. It featured 335 exhibiting companies, including more than 30 new to Interwire—that collectively filled some 80 product categories in the Show Program. The exhibits and the educational program were both memorable. The theme for the event—which started off on Monday with WAI’s iconic Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing program—was Rising to the Challenge. On Tuesday, following the Awards Ceremony, was the engaging keynote presentation—Innovation, investments & incentives–electrifying the wire and cable industry for a brighter future—by Dr. Srinivas
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Senior Vice President of Modernization Will Berry about his company’s multiple-year digital transformation journey. Following that came the second themed session on the Workforce, which included an executive panel discussion on adapting to the workforce challenges with senior industry leaders. The next day saw two riveting highlights, the first being the keynote address by Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinson on the outlook for electrical demand, followed by the first of two “lofty” presentations by Astronaut Dr. Mary Ellen Weber. She was followed by the third themed session, the Industry Outlook, which included two executive panels: the Steel Market, moderated by James York, Insteel Industries; and then Copper Supply and Demand, moderated by Kurt Breischaft, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS. Both men are WAI Past Presidents. The above may read like an event wrap-up, but the individual pieces that went into the event reflect the scope of what is covered. I could go on and on, such as noting that the “big picture” was presented at Interwire by CRU Analyst Aisling Hubert, that our live Fundamentals course drew a record 206 participants, that there were a slew of networking opportunities, that the Association’s board of directors voted in favor of allocating $50,000 for funding a new video technical initiative, and that the WAI Theater hosted many presentations, including the Mordica Memorial Lecture by Dr. Bruce Kiefer, the second quite colorful address by Dr. Weber, and Production Solutions, but I think the message is clear: Interwire served an important role.
The return to international events While the Interwire stage is large, a WAI International Technical Conference (ITC) also serves the industry, albeit on a much smaller scale. The backdrop is different as ITCs have a more measured pace, one that suits longer discussions between participants as there are no
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The fifth Italian ITC, put on by WAI and its partner ACIMAF in Milan, drew the largest-ever audience. long “must do” check lists to rush through. The ITCs held in Milan, Italy, and Monterrey, Mexico, were among the finest ever held. It started on Oct. 16 with Wire & Cable Milan, which marked the fifth such event put on in the last 20 years by WAI and its reliable partner, the Associazione Costruttori Italiani Macchine per Filo (ACIMAF). The prior events were in Stresa, Bologna and Verona, with the return to Milan being held in the Giureconsulti Palace, near the Duomo of Milan, an Italian landmark. The Milan conference event attracted the largest attendance of any previous event with 275 wire and cable professionals representing 30 countries. It included 24 presentations balanced between two concurrent tracks: ferrous and nonferrous. The sessions provided best practices in wire drawing technology and timely information on industry 4.0 and market conditions. The conference, which had many presentations by notable industry figures, was also quite elegant. Attendees are likely to long remember the Palazzo Serbelloni, which that night hosted nearly 200 of them. It started with a welcome reception in the open courtyard on the ground floor, then was followed by walking
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inside and up a long winding staircase to a grand hall for the gala dinner, a superb way to cap an unforgettable day. The sessions provided best practices in wire drawing technology and timely information on Industry 4.0 and market conditions. Some of the featured presenters included Luca De Rai, group vice president R&D and innovation for Prysmian Group; CRU Wire and Cable Research Analyst Emir Ersahin; and a 40Factory presentation delivered by Andrés Cartagena Ruiz of MFL Group. The next month, the WAI returned to Monterrey, Mexico, to put on the 2023 ITC on Nov. 13-14. The event attracted 208 participants that represented 70 different organizations. The two-day conference, which included 17 sessions, received strong reviews from all involved, especially those representing the nonferrous and electrical sectors. The educational content extended into the Suppliers Market that included 33 companies and ran concurrently with sessions. This is the sixth time that the Association has held this event in Mexico and the fourth in Monterrey (2008, 2010, 2016). All the Monterrey events have been held at the Crowne Plaza, which is convenient for the local attendees and well suited to accommodate the networking and program elements.
The opening session was a panel session that was moderated by WAI president Kurt Breischaft of SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS and included Felipe Martinez of Kobrex, Wesley Rios of Viakable and Andres Guerra Siller of DeAcero. The attendees heard a range of perspectives on critical factors affecting the industry including nearshoring, geopolitics, AI, environmental responsibility and market conditions. Other company presentations were made by representative for Borealis, Condumex, CTC Global, Enkotec, innovAction Srl, Niehoff Endex North America, Química Iberoamericana, Rosendahl Nextrom, Paramount Die Company, Schneider Electric, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, SKET, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Troester and Viakable.
Board supports further education In 2023, WAI’s Board of Directors authorized a fund of $50,000 to go to the creation of more educational products for the wire and cable industry. The goal of the pilot program is to develop video-based training in different disciplines that would be of value to employees that are either new to the industry or have new responsibility. WAI has already created a number of videos—one of which, on cleaning an extruder screw, has had more than 83,000 viewings online—and will now focus on creating a new training series. This is still in the early stages, and WAI President Kurt Breischaft noted that this will be a long-term project that will serve both the ferrous and nonferrous sectors.
A timely tradition continues
The Suppliers Market at Monterrey offered an ideal place to talk with different company representatives.
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On October 20, Elizabeth Bonfield visited WAI’s office in Madison, Connecticut, to wind the stately grandfather’s clock that was given in 1948 to the Association by British industry representatives for support during World War II.
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Bonfield has worked at the director level in the engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors for the past 20 years, most recently for Skills 4 UK, a Leedsbased consultancy firm. She observed that “we should pay our respects to John Rigby, and the forefathers who brought this clock here.” Bonfield proved to be a most competent and congenial representative. She and her husband, Steven, were welcomed by WAI President Kurt Breischaft. The audience also included WAI BoD members Rebecca Cranford, David Fischer and Chris Tucker; WAI Past President Jim York; and Association staff, including WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll.
Staffing updates As with any company, staff changes, and the goal is to adjust. Last year, Anna Bzowski returned to WAI in a new role: director of international sales & business development. She joined Shannon Timme, director of sales, as the other half of the two-person department. Bzowski is well known to the industry as she worked in the sales department for 17 years, including 15 years as sales manager. She returned in May to assist WAI in the production of Interwire.
WAI’s Membership Director John Markowski left the industry. He joined the WAI as an intern in 2018 and became full time in 2021. It’s worth noting that his replacement, Corey Flynn, a senior finance student at The University of New Haven, had been a WAI intern. There may be other staffing news to report this year as WAI seeks to fill a position directly related to the previously described educational initiative.
Looking back I’ve left out a lot of other news that could have been here, but one final thought is that much of what happened this year—both in the light and behind the scenes—was possible because of the incredible effort put in by WAI President Kurt Breischaft. This was evident as he graciously began his term as president a year earlier than originally planned. Throughout, he has cared about what happens at WAI and during one visit talked one-on-one with each staff person. I will never forget Kurt’s help and willingness to represent the Association in many matters. Even better, he has indicated that his full support of the organization did not end with the conclusion of his term, which is good news for both the Association and the industry. n
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CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT Q: When did you join the wire and cable industry, and what is your current role/employer? A: I started out at Gem Gravure in 1990 with a summer job that turned into an unexpected but wonderfully fulfilling career. I have grown with the company, and was recently promoted to sales director. Q: What do you like about being part of the industry?
Derek Olson Sales Director Gem Gravure Co. Inc.
A: I most enjoy the close-knit relationships and camaraderie I’ve been fortunate to be a part of. It’s a good industry, one that on some levels is big, but not so big that you can’t make a name for yourself in it. Also, it’s easy for me because the culture and reputation of Gem are such that our customers know that offering the best support to them is of the utmost importance to us. Q: When did you become a WAI Chapter member, and why did you join? A: I became a chapter member in 1996. I joined for the opportunity to network with customers and colleagues and to attend the educational seminars (the allure of the annual golf tournament didn’t hurt, either). Q: How active have you been in chapter events, and has the networking experience been helpful?
In 2017, New England Chapter President Derek Olson with Mark Hermsen, General Cable, the winner of the raffle for the Red Sox baseball tickets that were generously donated (yet again!) by Gem Gravure.
To find out more about joining a WAI chapter, contact WAI Member Services Manager Corey Flynn at tel. 203-4532777, ext. 128, cflynn@wirenet.org.
A: I served on the New England Chapter board of directors for many years and was past president in 2017. That was an amazing time for me. I had always enjoyed attending the annual meetings, but as president, I got to experience what it takes to help plan such events. I felt proud that the chapter members were having a good time and supporting good causes, such as the scholarship fund, and it’s continued to get better with the focus on educational elements as well as all the networking. The chapter experience is a definite plus. Q: Any special memories? A: Too many to count, but helping with the scholarship committee as a way of giving back, volunteering at the annual golf tournament and attending Interwire would be at the top of the list. However, the chapter experience exists beyond specific events. I run into people throughout the year who are chapter members, and even though my term as president ended years ago, I still find time to encourage the folks I meet to consider joining up.
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CHAPTER NETWORK State of Connecticut CMO to speak at New England Chapter’s annual meeting Attendees at the New England Chapter’s annual meeting to be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, will get a big picture perspective on manufacturing from someone whose job is to do just that. The keynote speaker, Paul Lavoie, is the chief manufacturing officer for the State of Connecticut. He has more than 25 years of experience in leading and growing businesses across various industries and has a passion for advancing the manufacturing sector in Connecticut. He said that, as Lavoie CMO, he serves as “the voice of the manufacturer” in the governor’s office and the board chair of the Manufacturing Innovation Fund. Of note, Connecticut is the only state to have such a position and a fund in the Executive Branch of Government. Lavoie, who likes to mingle with an audience, has some interesting topics to discuss. He leads the state economic development for the offshore wind industry sector, a key strategic opportunity for the state. The event will again be held this year inside the Cabaret Theatre, starting with the reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the meeting. It will include the introduction of the 2024 officers, the raffle and the perfect setting to
Chapter President Jessica Foss shared her positive outlook at the 2023 annual meeting.
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catch up with friends and colleagues. Tickets are $145 for a non-member, $135 for a WAI member, and $120 for a New England Chapter member The event continues to be a key fundraiser for the chapter’s Scholarship Fund, and companies/individuals can help further that goal by becoming a meeting sponsor. Registration is now open through WAI’s online system that can be accessed at www.wirenet.org.
Call issued for 2024 applications for WAI Chapter Scholarship programs One benefit offered by WAI chapters is that three of them—New England, Southeast and Midwest—each offer college scholarships for sons and daughters of chapter members. In 2023, the New England Chapter issued six scholarships, each $2,500; the Southeast Chapter issued four scholarship winners, each $1,800; and the Midwest Chapter issued three scholarships, each $1,500. What’s noteworthy about the collective scholarship programs is that they are very flexible. Also, each chapter funds the program through various events, and event sponsors and chapter members have been very generous in supporting the cause. For more details, go to the individual chapter page at www.wirenet.org.
So, who exactly are chapter members? New profile section will share that Starting this issue, WAI will present profiles on members of different chapters, the goal being to give readers a sense of the chapter experience. The profile is similar to that of the one for new WAI members but meant to focus on the unique attractions of being part of a chapter. The first one, on the opposite page, is of Derek Olson of Gem Gravure Co. Inc., a member of the New England Chapter. Members of other chapters will be presented in future issues. In addition to the New England Chapter, the Association’s largest one, the WAI has U.S. chapters in the Mid-South, Midwest and Ohio Valley, as well as chapters in Poland, Italy and India. For more information on joining a chapter, contact Corey Flynn, Member Services Manager, at tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 128, cflynn@wirenet.org. n J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4 W I R E J O U R N A L I N T E R N AT I O N A L
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The Year to Come Years are neither inherently good nor bad, and some sectors can flourish while others suffer. So what makes the difference? Replies from manufacturers asked by WJI to go to their crystal balls vary, but a constant is the need for good planning. This feature offers a range of items that reflect the scope, potential and unexpected elements that exist. That includes AI, which appears to want in.
Success in unsure steel markets takes focus on many aspects We celebrated our 70th year in business in 2023. Recent and on-going investment is focused on ensuring that we are a viable, relevant and sustainable business for at least another 30 years. In some cases, that means investing in equipment that will move us higher in the value stream and in other cases enhancing our ability to efficiently collect and analyze data in a real-time fashion to facilitate decision-making and drive efficiency. Our outlook for 2024 is mixed. MAR-MAC has exposure to construction, retail, and industrial markets. Growth or contraction in the construction market will be heavily dependent on the sources of funding for each segment. We feel inherent demand in residential driven by household formation coupled with low inventories will win over the headwinds of higher mortgage rates. Industrial and infrastructure construction activity is strong, driven by the buildout of EV and battery manufacturing facilities along with federally funded transportation projects. We don’t expect great things from commercial construction in 2024. Retail keeps surprising us due to the resiliency of the U.S. consumer and we have to wonder when that strength might fade. Industrial demand will be
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spotty and largely dependent on segment. Global economic weakness is a challenge if it drives global commodity prices and ocean freight rates lower. We could then see a wave of imported finished goods that would flood our markets without the protections Martin afforded to our upstream steel producers. Continued volatility in the commodities markets always creates challenges in managing inventories and selling prices and is of concern. Longer term but relevant to 2024 is finding and retaining the right people to join the team. We find not only a more competitive labor market but a dearth of skills required to operate in a digitally oriented manufacturing environment. We have determined that we need to develop the capabilities to train employees on those skills. Energy availability is also a longer term concern. It doesn’t appear that electricity generation capacity and natural gas pipeline capacity are keeping pace with growth in the Southeast. We added an onsite solar generation several years ago and are making investments currently to enhance our capability to use alternative fuels as natural gas supplies come under more stress. Jarett Martin, president, MAR-MAC. W W W. W I R E N E T. O R G
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Electrification needs should power the industry in 2024 Based on North American fundamentals, we are constructive regarding 2024 market dynamics. We believe copper demand will increase dramatically in the coming years, and that demand for lower-carbon emission, U.S. produced copper products will support our product portfolio. COPPERWORKS™ is the only North American copper rod and wire producer to offer products manufactured from either refined cathode or reclaimed copper. Our reclaimed copper product, Infinity™ copper rod & wire, contains 100% recycled content and offers significant carbon footprint savings when compared to rod and wire manufactured from refined cathode. As electrification progresses on both a local and global scale, the gap in supply and demand will continue to be an industry challenge. We anticipate raw material and copper rod availability tightness to persist, creating an environment where availability and price drive the market. In
addition to copper input tightness, interest rate uncertainties continue to impact firms’ supply chain strategies. Looking towards 2024, we are optimistic that continued onshoring of manufacturing business, combined with the expectation of significant fixed asset Rush investment derived from public funding related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act and Department of Energy programs will benefit our business and the macro copper industry. We look forward to a safe and successful 2024, and we extend our thanks to our customers and supplier partners. Devon Rush, sales & marketing manager, COPPERWORKS.
5 labor trends that the industry should be following As we focus on 2024, business seems to remain strong, but expect 4.7% unemployment rate, per the Congressional Budget Office. Here are five labor trends to consider. 1. Worker shortages. Baby Boomers will continue to age out of the work force and retire, causing the workforce to continue to shrink. More prime-age workers (age 25 to 54) will be needed to counter the drag of the aging population. According to Indeed, immigration has added foreign-born workers who made up 18% of labor a year ago and is now 25% for the next year. The need for workers has led to more people entering the market and staying in the labor force but it still is not enough to help balance demand. 2. Training programs and internships. These types of programs are going to be the focus to help bring younger people into the industry. Many associations such as NAED, NEMA, NECA, and IEC are working with city/ county school boards to incentivize high schools to add more vocational classes specific to the electrical industry. This ultimately could lead to higher attendance rates for vocation/technical colleges. See Home Depot’s new commercial ‘Going Pro.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzub88zDil0 3. The “Great Resignation” is behind us. The quit rates stood at 2.3% in September which is equal to the average W W W. W I R E N E T. O R G
rate in 2019. Companies must continue to include pay raises, increase in benefits, and change their workplace flexibility to retain their current workers. 4. Salary transparency. This is becoming the norm. We have seen several states pass legislaKelly tion to require salary ranges on all job posts ... (hello there, Illinois, California and Connecticut!). According to Indeed, there is a higher application rate for jobs posting salary ranges compared to those without that information. This helps eliminate candidates looking for higher compensation and has helped with addressing potential pay inequality. 5. AI adoption. This will change everything. We are seeing the creation of a wide variety of jobs based on the new introduction of AI into the manufacturing sector. You can expect more news to trickle in during 2024. I would love to chat with you about market trends that may improve your business in the New Year. You are welcome to reach out to me at pk@egretconsulting.com. J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4 W I R E J O U R N A L I N T E R N AT I O N A L
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JUNE 11-12, 2024
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