EoW September 2009

The International Magazine for the Wire and Cable Industries

Redistribution of brain power

In a period of unremitting gloom an occasional silver lining glimmers.

The latest is that Wall Street, the City, and the financial sector in general has lost its allure for our best mathematic and scientific minds. For the past decade, apparently, the draw of high salaries, and even higher bonuses, has acted as a magnet to the brightest and best leaving American and European universities. When an industry is lost or severely curtailed there will be a knock-on effect of entrepreneurism. Workers will work – somewhere – or make those opportunities for themselves. The analytical skills that brought us quantitative trading systems can be equally applied to sectors outside finance and now, without the competition of the financial industry, graduates and others are looking seriously at bringing their skills to the fields of medicine, education and government. For example, a recent Jobs Fair at Massachusetts Institute of Technology saw what one commentator described as, “a surge of interest in companies – including non-profit organisations – that would never have stood a chance on campus before, pitted against the promise of Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs.” There is similar anecdotal evidence from UK universities, as graduation events take place this month. Of course, industry is still suffering from a lack of confidence. There are few companies willing to risk investment in research and development, new tooling and operator training while the timetable and degree of economic recovery is still unmapped. But once the recovery is underway, then the banks – leaner and more accountable, we hope – will have a major role to play in nurturing the start- ups and entrepreneurs whose energies would previously have been directed into creating daring trading strategies. I think we can be excused for doubting the benefit to mankind of innovative thinking in the finance sector.

* US$33 purchase only Front cover: PAVE Automation Ltd See page 112 for further details E ditor :........................................ Gill Watson F eatures E ditor (USA) : ..........Dorothy Fabian E ditorial assistant : .................Christian Bradley D esign /P roduction : ................Julie Tomlin P roduction : ...............................Lisa Benjamin S ales M anager : ........................Paul Browne S ales & M arketing : .................Giuliana Benedetto ( I nternational )

Italian speaking sales Hendrike Morriss German speaking sales Linda Li Chinese speaking sales Jeroo Vandrevala Indian sales

A dvertisement C oordinator : ............................Liz Hughes A ccounts M anager : ................Richard Babbedge S ubscriptions : ...........................Liz Hughes P ublisher : ..................................Caroline Sullens F ounder : ....................................John C Hogg

INTRAS OFFICES

E urope :

46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK

Tel : +44 1926 334137 Fax : +44 1926 314755

Email : intras@intras.co.uk Website : www.intras.co.uk Website : www.read-eurowire.com

USA :

E ditorial Dorothy Fabian

272 First Avenue, Apt 12G New York, NY 10009, USA Tel : +1 212 614 9266 Fax : +1 212 614 9266 Email : dfabian@rcn.com Jintras Ltd , Jeroo Vandrevala Subarna (Ground Floor) P21/N, Block A, New Alipore

I ndia :

Kolkata 700 053, India Tel : +91 33 2407 07 01 Fax : +91 33 2407 07 00 Email : jeroov@vsnl.com

Let’s hope this new creativity will have advan- tages and reper- cussions beyond the creators’ bank accounts.

US copies only : EuroWire (ISSN No: 1463-2438) is published bi-monthly by INTRAS Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. Postmaster : send address changes to EuroWire, PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437 www.read-eurowire.com © 2009 Intras Ltd, UK ISSN 1463-2438

Gill Watson

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Whenyouhave finishedwith thismagazineplease recycle it

contents

Technical Articles

A newmethod for cable gel filling By Zhenfu Zhou, Zhuang Xiong, Zhongping Luo, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Co Ltd

78

Neue Methode zur Gelfüllung für Kabel Von Zhenfu Zhou, Zhuang Xiong, Zhongping Luo, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Co Ltd

10

83

Новый метод заполнения кабеля гелем

89

Авторы: Чжэнфу Чжоу, Чжуан Сюн, Чжунпин Луо (компания «Янцзы оптикал файбер энд кейбл ко лтд»)

Nouvelle méthode de remplissage des câbles à base de gelée Par Zhenfu Zhou, Zhuang Xiong, Zhongping Luo, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Co Ltd

95

101 Nuovo metodo di riempimento dei cavi a base di gel

28

A cura di Zhenfu Zhou, Zhuang Xiong, Zhongping Luo, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Co Ltd

Содержание на русском языке 87 Ηοвости рьінка 112 Перечень рекламодателей

Deutsch Inhalt 81 Neuigkeiten 112 Inserentenverzeichnis

107 Nuevo método para rellenar cables con gel

Por Zhenfu Zhou, Zhuang Xiong, Zhongping Luo, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Co Ltd

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EuroWire – September 2009

Subscribe Now! See our subscription advert on page 77 IWCS Conference & Exhibition 2009 In The Next Issue Features On Power cables (medium • to extra-high voltage) Testing & measuring • GettingTechnical Maximising ultra-high definition video cable

58

8 Diary of events

10 Corporate News

22 Transatlantic Cable

28 Technology N ews

48 Feature:

Steel wire, cable & rod

58 wire Southeast Asia 2009

111 Editorial Index

112 Advertisers’ Index

Français Sommaire 93 Nouvelles du Marché 112 Index des Annonceurs

Italiano Indice 99 Notizie del Mercato 112 Indice degli Inserzionisti

Español Indice 105 Noticias de Mercado 112 Indice de Anunciadores

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EuroWire – September 2009

date s for your diary . . .

October 12: IWMA technical conference – Bangkok, Thailand Organisers : International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) Email : info@iwma.org Website : www.iwma.org 13–15: wire/Tube SE Asia – trade exhibition – Bangkok, Thailand Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd Email : wire@mda.com.sg Website : www.wire-southeastasia.com November 2–3: Istanbul Cable &Wire ’ 09 – technical conference, Istanbul, Turkey Organisers : IWMA, WAI, ACIMAF Website : www.iwma.org 9–11: 58 th IWCS – technical conference – Charlotte, NC, USA Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : info@iwma.org April 2010 12–16: wire/Tube Düsseldorf – trade exhibition – Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Fax : +49 211 45 6087 7793 Email : wire@messe-duesseldorf.de Website : www.wire.de May 2010 11–12: Wire Expo – technical conference and trade exhibition – Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Organisers : Wire Association International (WAI) Fax : +1 203 453 8384 Website : www.wirenet.org September 2010 21–24: wire China 2010 – trade exhibition – Shanghai, China Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf China Fax : +86 21 5027 8138 Email : wire@mdc.com.cn Website : www.wirechina.net November 2010 18–20: Wire & Cable India – trade exhibition – Mumbai, India Organisers : CII Fax : +91 22 2493 9463 Email : info@ciionline.org Website : http://cii.in Organisers : IWCS Inc Fax : +1 732 389 0991 Email : admin@iwcs.org Website : www.iwcs.org

EMO Milan

October 5–10: EMO Milan – trade exhibition – Milan, Italy Organisers : Ente Fiere Italiane Macchine (EFIM) Fax : +39 0226 255 882

Email : info@emo-milan.com Website : www.emo-milan.com Photocredit–www.bigstockphoto.com •Photographer–ArtemSvystun

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporate news

Exhibitors and visitors to wire Russia found the show exceeded expectations ▲ ▲

wire Russia exceeds expectations

Eder Engineering-Austria took part at wire Russia 2009 exhibition in Moscow and reported a successful trip. Apart from a series of advanced die- tool processing machines (including the USP-Twin ultrasonic machine with two workstations, one HGM-21 wire-type calibration unit and one UFW-1 fine die-bore processing unit) which were all sold to SPKB-Tehno Co, various die workshop ancillary devices and special die-tools were displayed at the Eder stand. In addition, a series of sophisticated profiled die-tools, made from tung- sten carbide and PCD material, were displayed. Eder has been active in Russia and the CIS since 1956. ...with success for visitors & exhibitors

Spokesmen for both the International Wire and Machinery Association (IWMA) and the International Wire and Cable Exhibitors Association (IWCEA) confirmed the success of wire Russia for their members, with the IWMA adding, “We were pleasantly surprised at the level of enquiries from organisations interested in the activities of the IWMA, and in joining the association.” The next staging of wire Russia is scheduled for spring 2011. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH – Germany Website : www.wire-russia.com

Exhibitors

and

visitors

to

the

Metallurgy-Litmash, Russia, Aluminium Non-Ferrous and wire Russia exhibitions expressed a good deal of optimism for the future, despite the slump in global economic markets. The concurrent trade fairs provide a platform for trading and forging con- tacts in the metallurgy, wire and cable industries of the emerging Russian market and its neighbouring states. The event attracted over 9,200 visitors, while wire Russia’s 214 exhibitors represented 29 countries. Tube

Eder Engineering – Austria Fax : +43 1 367 494949 Email : office@eder-eng.com Website : www.eder-eng.com

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporatenews

From 1 st July 2009, Werner Auer has become head of Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH & Co Auer, who was previously chief financial officer (CFO) of the business unit located in Linz, succeeds Richard Pfeiffer as CEO. “I’d like to express my thanks to Richard Pfeiffer. As head of Siemens Metals Technologies, he has played a key role in shaping and successfully expanding this business in the last three years,” said Jens Michael Wegmann, CEO of the industry solutions division, commenting on the change at the top. “By appointing Werner Auer, who has worked in the business for 25 years, we are ensuring continuity in our future activities.” Werner Auer has been CFO of Siemens Metals Technologies since October, 2006. Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH & Co – Austria Website : www.siemens.com/metals Werner Auer takes over as CEO

200 years of reels and spools

Hearl Heaton, part of Pentre Group, is celebrating its 200 th anniversary. Pentre with Hearl Heaton is acknowledged to be among world leaders in ABS (plastic flanged) high-speed process reels for the wire, cable, telecommunication and optical fibre industry. Pentre Group offers machinery manufacturers and wire and cable producers a selection of reels, drums and associated handling ancillaries from a single source, possibly the largest range offered anywhere in the world. The company

Hearl Heaton reels and drums ▲ ▲

the latest robotic handling systems. Pentre’s process reels and drums range in flange diameter from 100mm (3.9") up to specialist drums weighing up to 40 tons, (designed to carry 260 tons of umbilical cable) and a range of fully machined and dynamically balanced, precision steel reels. Pentre Group – UK Fax : +44 1924 400 803 Email : info@hearlheaton.co.uk Website : www.pentregroup.com

designs, manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of high-speed steel and plastic ABS process reels, plywood, MDF and cardboard reels, wholly moulded plastic spools, formers, steel and wooden shipping reels and drums. Pentre’s operation is focused on developing technically advanced processing solutions for today’s high- speed wire and cable manufacturing plants, including those incorporating

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporate news

Pave celebrates 35 years British company Pave Automation, which designs and manu- factures CNC wire forming equipment, celebrates 35 years in business this year. The company first developed the automation of wire forming and bending equipment during the early 1970s, when it introduced a machine for forming tubular heating element shapes. Although the initial automated techniques were actuated and controlled pneumatically, they provided valuable experience for the development of Pave’s first CNC wire forming machine, the Variform 6, in 1985. To support its active in-house research and development programme, Pave required a permanent test bed facility. This resulted in the formation of a subsidiary company, Automated Wire Bending Ltd in 1991, now a manufacturer of formed-wire products in its own right. Pave’s focus on technical innovation produced the patented ‘Trueline’ wire straightening system in 1993, and a wire stabiliser unit in 1997. More recently, the company developed and introduced new software with animated touch-screen icons to speed and simplify programming. Pave’s newest model, the Panther X3, was launched at wire Düsseldorf ’08. The company’s range of wire forming equipment is designed and manufactured in-house at its production facility in Peterborough, which incorporates a specialist machine shop and fabrication unit. Managing director Tony Perna, who founded Pave in 1974, attributes the company’s continuing success to its ability to innovate and produce well made, technically advanced machines at competitive prices. “On-going investment in R&D enables us to provide manufacturers with the latest and best wire forming technology to improve productivity, and because we design and manufacture in-house and sell direct, we can pass on significant cost-efficiencies to our customers.” Sikora has appointed Mr Viacheslav Zabaluev as new general director of Sikora Russia. In his work Mr Zabaluev will be supported by Fira Fateeva, the newly appointed deputy general director. Both are already working with Sikora Russia. Mr Ivan Zhukovskyy, who has managed Sikora Russia for the last three years, left the company on 30 th April 2009. New general director for Sikora Russia Pave Automation – UK Fax : +44 1733 563500 Email : pave@enterprise.net Website : www.pave-wire.com

Troester in the US

Corus cutting 2,000 UK steel jobs Steelmaker Corus is cutting almost 2,000 more jobs at UK plants including Teesside, Scunthorpe and Rotherham. Corus blamed the job losses on a “further deterioration” in steel demand in the US and Europe. Unions described the cuts as “devastating”. About 500 white-collar jobs could go at Scunthorpe, while 375 jobs are at risk in Teesside and in Scotland. Up to 800 may go in Rotherham and Stocksbridge. Corus has seen demand for steel fall as the global recession hits the industry. “Any recovery in Europe appears to be some time off, so it is vital that we take this proportionate and responsible action now,” Corus chief Kirby Adams said. “We have to achieve long-term, sustainable competitiveness in a global and over-supplied steel market.” Corus, a subsidiary of India’s Tata Steel, says that it is Europe’s second largest steel producer with annual revenues of about £12bn and crude steel production of over 20 million tons, primarily in the UK and the Netherlands. The Community union called on the government to intervene saying there was now a battle for the survival of British steelmaking. “It’s devastating news for our members and their families in steel communities right across the UK,” union general secretary Michael Leahy said. “We have real concerns for the integrity of the British steel industry – we fear its further erosion could fundamentally undermine UK manufacturing.” In January, the firm announced a series of cost-cutting measures, which including mothballing a steel mill in South Wales as well as 3,500 job cuts worldwide, including the 2,500 in the UK. However, Corus will continue to produce steel at its threatened Redcar plant until at least August 2009 after new orders were confirmed. Corus Group – UK Website : www.corusgroup.com Despite the overall low attendance, which was to be expected during the current global recession, Troester declared Interwire a success. Fewer visitors, “But rather the type of visitors defined the quality of the contacts. Especially the established medium and high-voltage cable manufacturers from the US, Canada, Mexico and South America took advantage to discuss active and future projects,” asserted Thomas Lerch, sales manager of Troester. Interwire also served as a platform to introduce Troester’s US subsidiary, Troester Machinery Ltd, as a direct contact for North American customers. Troester Machinery Ltd – USA Fax : +1 330 928 7239 Email : info@troester-usa.com Website : www.troester-usa.com

Sikora AG – Germany Fax : +49 421 48900 90 Email : sales@sikora.net Website : www.sikora.net

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporate news

Tata Steel raises HR and CR prices

negotiating. JFE also agreed with BHP to cut iron ore lump prices by 44.47%. BHP declined to comment, saying it will only release information on its iron ore settlements when the bulk of agreements were reached. Steelmakers in Japan and South Korea are concluding their annual pricing talks by agreeing to a 33% cut with Rio Tinto and 28% with Brazil’s Vale. BHP Billiton – Australia Website : www.bhpbilliton.com China Steel Corp, Taiwan’s largest steel maker, will increase domestic prices for the first time this year as demand improves. Prices will rise by an average of 7% in July, the Kaohsiung-based company said. The mill last increased prices for Taiwan customers in the fourth quarter last year. Spending on public works and other infrastructure projects by nations including China, Taiwan’s biggest overseas market, is lifting steel demand. The global recession had curbed consumption of the metal by builders and carmakers. “We’re less pessimistic now,” executive vice president Chung Le-min said. ...but in Taiwan

India’s Tata Steel, the world’s sixth-largest steelmaker, hiked prices for hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils by up to 2% across some regions in the country. Prices have been raised by Rs 500 to 750 per ton, based on market conditions, said the company’s spokesperson. Hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils are mainly used in automobiles and con- sumer durables such as refrigerators and washing machines. The company has seen strong demand from its Indian operations, which account for about a quarter of the group’s annual global capacity of 30 million tons. Its Indian operations posted a 31% rise in sales in April, and 18% in May. Tata Steel – India Website : www.tatasteel.com

Price cuts elsewhere

Japan’s steelmaker JFE has agreed with Australia’s BHP Billiton to cut fine iron ore prices by 33% matching a benchmark deal already reached by miner Rio Tinto and non-Chinese Asian customers. BHP signed the deal with the world’s number three steelmaker but other Asian steelmakers including Nippon, South Korea’s Posco and Chinese firms are still

China Steel Corp – China Website : www.csc.com.tw

Winter spools on show AstroPlast Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co KG attended wire Moscow in May, placing the emphasis on the company’s plastic spools for wires, cables, tapes or optical fibres. Many visitors showed particular interest in the SC-ABS winter spools, suitable for low temperatures with special chemical stability even for the most extreme production conditions.

Managing director Dr Wolfgang Kemper commented: “The global recession naturally meant that the atmosphere was not particularly elated, but the response at our booth was definitely satisfactory. And wire Moscow even succeeded our expectations. “Together with our representatives on the Russian market, we were able to establish a large number of new contacts and open up possibilities for business after the trade fair.“

The AstroPlast stand at wire Russia ▲ ▲

AstroPlast Kunststofftechnik GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 2933 84010

Email : c.groll@astroplast.de Website : www.astroplast.de

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporatenews

Serving the industry for 40 years – IWMA The International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) celebrates its 40 th anniversary in 2010, coinciding with the wire Düsseldorf exhibition, and will mark this milestone in a number of ways. Already member organisations are taking advantage of a special offer of two years’ membership for the price of one, when renewing during 2009. The IWMA began in 1970 when the four founders Messrs J Buckley, J Hogg, W Merchant and R Molyneux saw the need to provide an organisation that would specifically represent the interests of those companies concerned with the production and processing machinery for wires, cables and wire products.

Mindful of the need to attract young engineers to the wire and cable industry and to improve technical standards, the IWMA registered an Educational Trust Fund in 1987 to sponsor educational and research projects related to the industries represented by the membership. This became known as the “Walter Niehoff Scholarship” in recognition of the past IWMA president. Subsequently, the Educational Trust introduced what is now known as the “John C Hogg Travel Award”, named in memory of the Association’s late Secretary General and Founder, which enables trainees from all parts of the world to attend the biggest and most important industry trade fair in Düsseldorf. More recently the IWMA has supported and sponsored other exhibitions in emerging or developing markets, notably wire Russia, wire China, Metaltech in Brazil, Tekno in Dubai and Wire & Cable India as well as encouraging the moving of wire Singapore to Bangkok in its new designation as wire Southeast Asia. The global market is fully reflected in the scope of the IWMA’s corporate membership – now nearly three hundred organisations from more than fifty countries and still growing. International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) – UK

In its formative years of 1971-1974 the association, then known as the “Wire Machinery Association”, embarked on a recruitment campaign which gained members in both the UK and overseas. During this period a series of technical conferences were also held. By 1975 the worldwide corporate membership totalled sixty-six, and a year later the organisation was renamed the International Wire & Machinery Association. By the end of the 1970s the IWMA had also instigated the birth of the International Tube Association, which remains a sister organisation to this day. During the 1980s the IWMA played key roles in the establishing and sponsoring of major international exhibitions such as Interwire, wire Düsseldorf and wire Singapore. A number of major technical conferences were organised by the IWMA during this decade and this activity continues right up to the present day. By the time of the forthcoming Istanbul Cable & Wire ‘09 technical conference in November this year the IWMA will have organised no fewer than forty-five such events since its foundation.

New members who apply to join during 2009 can also enjoy the two years’ membership anniversary offer. Currently in preparation for publication early next year is a commemorative booklet, recording the history of the IWMA and the member organisations and individuals who have made the association what it is today. Important social and networking events will take place during 2010 to celebrate the anniversary, with the main focus on a prestigious gala dinner in Düsseldorf on Tuesday 13 th April during wire Düsseldorf 2010. Many special guests will be invited, including a number who have played important roles in the history of the IWMA. Many member companies will be attending wire Düsseldorf, but for those on the other side of the world there will be a special reception on Thursday 23 rd September 2010 at the IWMA booth during the wire China 2010 exhibition. More details of this special anniversary event in China will be posted on the IWMA website, www.iwma.org

Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : info@iwma.org Website : www.iwma.org

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporate news

IWMA golfers defy the weather That IWMA folk are hardier than most was evident at the IWMA Golf Day on 10 th June 2009, at the beautiful Fairhaven Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, UK. The com- petition began in bright sunshine but players had to withstand long periods of torrential rain. This did not deter the vast majority of players, including for the first time a ladies section, from completing the course. Some good scores were achieved in the Stableford competition despite the weather. The Guest Shield was won by Mr P Ladums, a guest of Steel Wire Europe, whilst a popular winner of the Chairman’s Cup for members was Mr S Rika of Bar Products. The prize for best ladies score, donated by Eurowire magazine, went to Mrs B Dagnall, a guest of Goodwin Machinery Ltd. The IWMA is very grateful to a number of other organisations who sponsor prizes for the event including Cleveland Steel, XL Technologies Ltd, TM Associates, Interlink Import-Export Ltd, Hill International (NF) Ltd, Bar Products & Services Ltd, Steel Wire Europe Ltd, Birchwood Consulting and Intras Ltd. This popular event will next take place at the same venue on Wednesday 9 th June 2010. IWMA – UK Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : info@iwma.org Website : www.iwma.org

Interwire success

Despite the downturn, British company Pave Automation reported a great deal of interest from visitors to its stand at Interwire, and a number of firm sales leads. “We made some important new business contacts at the show and are now following up positive enquiries on six of our machines,” said Tony Perna, managing director of Pave, which designs and manufactures high-performance CNC wire forming equipment. “Manufacturers are increasingly looking for well-designed, competitively-priced machines to cut production costs and improve profitability. “We have one of the most comprehensive ranges of wire forming machines on the market, plus the expertise and experience to help customers get the best return on their investment.” Pave also enjoyed success at the ‘Innovations-Technologies- Machines Poland’ exhibition in Poznan in June, and is currently progressing leads on nine different machines with manufacturers.

Pave Automation – UK Fax : +44 1733 563500

Email : pave@enterprise.net Website : www.pave-wire.com

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporatenews

Stocking sales representative for US market

Space selling well for 2010

Messe Düsseldorf is reporting high levels of interest from potential exhibitors at next year’s wire and Tube Düsseldorf shows, scheduled for 12 th to 16 th April. By late April, the wire section had already sold around 40,000m 2 of exhibition space, with 70% of regular exhibitors having reserved larger stands and more space for 2010. Machinery, plant and equipment for producing and processing wire and cable will be presented in Halls 9 to 12, and in Hall 15 and Hall 17. More details for exhibitors and visitors can be found on the dedicated website, at www.wire.de Messe Düsseldorf GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 211 45 60668 Email : info@messe-duesseldorf.de Website : www.wire.de

“This rounding out of CCG’s product offering with wire products from NW complements our vision of offering high performance components to cable makers.” Established in 1982 and ISO 9001:2000 certified since 1993, NW produces a range of 26 – 44 AWG bare, tin, silver and nickel-plated copper wire in various strand configurations such as concentric, conventional concentric, unilay, smooth and simple bunched, and ropes. CCG, established in 1997 and ISO 9001:2008 certified, operates 28 extrusion lines to manufacture profile extrusions, crosswebs, tubes, slit films and tapes, mono and multi-filaments, yarns, and fabrics made from fluoropolymer and other high performance plastic materials. Cable Components Group – USA Fax : +1 860 599 5461 Email : customerservice@cablecomponents.com Website : www.cablecomponents.com

Assaf NW Conductors Ltd (NW), part of Hod-Assaf Global Conductors Ltd of Israel, and Cable Components Group (CCG) LLC of Connecticut, USA, have reached a stocking agreement. Cable Components Group will act as the stocking sales representative in the North American market for NW’s lines of engineered bare and plated copper wire conductors. Through CCG, NW will reintroduce products that meet the extremely tight tolerances required to make data- comm, mil spec, aerospace, and other engineered cable types. CCG will offer products through its affiliate, Cable Components Engineering (CCE). “Our inside and outside sales groups have completed all the necessary training to cross sell these multi-wire copper conductor products along with our long standing lines of solid and foamed fluoropolymer cable fillers,” said Moe Heon, CCE’s managing director.

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporate news

Entrepreneur award

Optimism for economic recovery in Thailand

Chairman of Sikora AG, Harald Sikora, and Harry Prunk, vice chairman of Sikora AG, are the “Entrepreneurs of the year 2009” in Bremen. The prize was awarded by the regional association Bremen,“The family employers-ASU“ and “The young employers-BJU“ in cooperation with the Sparkasse Bremen on 4 th June 2009. Harald Sikora presented the first non-contact measuring systems for energy cables in 1972. Today, the scope of supply mainly focuses on non-contact ovality, eccentricity and wall thickness measurement by means of X-ray radiation and optical diameter measurement on the basis of laser technology. “I am very happy and honoured to receive this wonderful award, but it also goes to all who have significantly contributed to the success of our company,“ Harald Sikora said.

The 2007 trade fairs attracted 381 exhibiting companies from thirty countries. 7,038 trade visitors from more than 60 countries attended the three-day event, with 33% of visitors from overseas. A significant number of visitors were from China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea and the Middle East. wire and Tube Southeast Asia 2009 will continue to provide vital access for companies seeking to penetrate into the Thai and Indochina markets as well as neighbouring countries. Some 8,000 trade visitors are expected to visit the co-located events. This strategic base of visitors will provide a pipeline of buying opportunities for exhibiting companies, while visitors will find the tools and information needed to survive and flourish in today’s economy. Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd – Singapore Fax : +65 6337 4633 Email : wire@mda.com.sg Website : www.wire-southeastasia.com

Despite the challenging economic climate the forecast for Thailand is for recovery towards the end of this year, with economic growth of 3% in 2010. wire and Tube Southeast Asia, the international wire, cable, tube and pipe trade fairs, will take place in Bangkok, Thailand from 13 th to 15 th October 2009 at what could prove to be the cusp of a resurgence in manufacturing and invest- ment in the country. More than 400 companies, including national groups from Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, United Kingdom and USA, will be exhibiting to enhance and enforce their positioning in Southeast Asia. The wire and tube trade fairs organised by Messe Düsseldorf Asia in Singapore, since 1995 and 1997 respectively, have established themselves among leading exhibitions in their fields in Southeast Asia. Both trade fairs were relocated to Thailand as wire Southeast Asia and Tube Southeast Asia in 2007. The 2007 events further intensified the objective of becoming the region’s platform for the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries.

Sikora AG – Germany Fax : +49 421 48900 90 Email : sales@sikora.net Website : www.sikora.net

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporate news

Draka Communications has appointed David Groombridge as business develop- ment manager, telecoms solutions, for the UK and Ireland. He will be responsible for all fibre optic, network solutions and project management sales and support. David is already experienced in the international telecommunications industry, having worked with both Global Crossing and AT&T. David Groombridge said, “Draka can claim Europe’s largest fibre optic cable manufacturing facility, an industry-leading research and product development operation, plus DrakaXS Net, a comprehensive FTTH design implementation and maintenance package for next generation access network infrastructure. “I believe we have a strong and highly flexible offer – from concept to delivery.” Draka Communications – The Netherlands Website : www.draka.com Heading broadband sales

CERN recognises supplier excellence

Novacavi has been awarded the “CMS Gold Award 2009” by CERN, the Euro- pean Organization for Nuclear Research, for its involvement and support in the realisation of the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) detector. Novacavi designed, prototyped, tested and delivered the radiation resistant, halogen free (no toxic and corrosive gas), flame and fire retardant electrical cables required for the laboratory instrumentation. Roberto Giudici, engineering manager, Gianluca Ramploud, quality manager and Ferruccio Ramploud, president and founder of the company, received the award.“Our relationship with CERN began in the eighties and our involvement in this project at the beginning of 2000. Today we are honoured to represent Italian excellence after having been working closely to the engineering team and with outstanding results in terms of quality and schedule,” said Ferruccio Ramploud. The company has been involved in designing andmanufacturing customised

Novacavi’s award winning team ▲ ▲

electrical cables for advanced technology since 1975. Novacavi can provide cost effective solutions and services for any special cable application, working in accordance with the latest worldwide regulations. The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN (acronym of French Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire), is the world’s leading centre for subatomic particle research and is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Novacavi SpA – Italy Fax : +39 02 5472354 Email : info@novacavi.it Website : www.novacavi.it

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EuroWire – September 2009

corporatenews

Ben G Singley, president of JJ Lowe, an international wire and cable industry marketing company, died 25 th May 2009, at the age of 75 in Danbury, Connecticut, USA. In 1956, after graduating from Ohio University, Singley worked for US Steel Corporation in Cleveland. There, he met and befriended the late Jim Lowe, founder and owner of JJ Lowe Associates, Inc who made him the company’s first sales associate in 1966. He travelled extensively throughout the world for many years, making many life-long friends and enjoying tremendous success. In 1975, Singley assumed leadership in the company, which he built into what has been described as “North America’s largest and most successful sales agency for wire and cable.” It is said to have established the North American presence of many firms, such as Heaton, Continovis, Windings, Super Seal and Taymer. Ben Singley’s son Chris, who works at JJ Lowe, described his father, “Perseverance and long-lasting personal and business relationships were his trademarks. “Through his efforts, Lowe Associates now has three US sales offices, a fourth on its way, and one in Mexico City. “He worked right up to his last day, a surprise to no one who knew him.“ Singley is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn, three children, and five grandchildren. JJ Lowe Associates Inc – USA Industry mourns Ben G Singley

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EuroWire – September 2009

Transat lant ic Cable

The oil and metals sectors may also be vulnerable. Some analysts worry that emissions standards would encourage companies to keep inventories low and to import more refined fuels, contributing to idled capacity in US refineries. However, it may also encourage the creation of cleaner processes or the development of carbon-capture technologies, which are as yet far from being commercial. Trade concerns The risk that higher costs might accelerate a decline in the US manufacturing base, as more production is moved offshore, has prompted concern that compensatory import taxes might be placed on carbon-intensive imported goods. In saluting the passage of the climate bill in the House, President Obama insisted that the US must not discriminate against imports: doing so might lead to retaliatory protectionism. Paul Krugman [winner of the Nobel Prize in economics in 2008] suggested that the expressed view of the World Trade Organization toward import taxes – that they might be WTO-compliant in certain circumstances – is in line with its view of value added taxes. It has been pointed out elsewhere that administration of the carbon-cap system could become very complex, with a variety of different country-specific caps, tariffs, and remedies. Also, even as developing countries petition for trade restrictions on carbon-reducing technologies to be lifted, or for technology transfer, companies that developed the expertise have been reluctant to cut their prices. Tucked away in Prof Roubini’s analysis is this encouraging note: “Overall, businesses have supported establishing a climate regime, given that clarity over regulatory responses is key to planning.” However, he said, “There are still many uncertainties about how such a regime will be implemented.” Citing an Obama Administration initiative to close loopholes ❈ ❈ that have allowed American investors to use offshore tax havens, the Department of the Treasury on 19 th June announced that the US and Switzerland had agreed to cooperate in the prevention of tax evasion by sharing more information. At the G-20 Leaders’ Summit held in London, in April, the US had joined Germany, France, and Britain in bringing pressure to bear on Switzerland and other countries whose culture of discretion in banking matters may foster the improper use of hidden accounts. The protocol, which Switzerland and the US are expected to sign within a few months, would revise an existing treaty to conform with a model income tax convention adopted by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The negotiations over a strengthened Swiss-US tax treaty took place as American authorities were still pressing the Swiss bank UBS to hand over the names of 52,000 American clients suspected of tax evasion. The US also recently concluded tax-information exchange agreements with Gibraltar and Luxembourg. Waxman-Markey – if it is enacted – is a start. In brief . . .

The climate bill

By a narrow seven-vote margin, one house of the US Congress moves to limit the emissions blamed for warming of the planet On 26 th June, the House of Representatives approved 219 to 212 the landmark American Clean Energy and Security Act (“ACES”). Also known as the Waxman-Markley comprehensive energy bill (after its sponsors), or the “climate bill,” the legislation faces even tougher sledding in the Senate. At the heart of the Waxman-Markey global warming reduction plan is cap-and-trade, a market-based system that limits emissions but allows companies to buy permits for additional emissions from others that emit under the maximum. Presumably a market for these permits will increase the cost of using carbon-based energy (notably electricity from coal), which will in turn reduce demand. The number of permits is to be reduced over time. President Barack Obama’s commitment to the climate bill is intense, and his leverage in the Senate has likely been strengthened by the seating of Al Franken, of Minnesota, a member of the president’s Democratic Party, after a protracted dispute over vote counts. Assuming that Mr Obama succeeds in getting ACES through Congress, over the misgivings of business-orientated senators, one thing seems clear: the virtuous results of the legislation will come at a price. In the course of a broad analysis of Waxman-Markley (“Will the Global Warming Bill Cool the Global Economy?” Forbes, 2 nd July), Nouriel Roubini, a professor at the Stern Business School of New York University, considered its probable effect in the United States. Here, much abbreviated, are his views on the climate bill in three critical areas: cost estimates, sector-by-sector impact, and trade concerns. Cost estimates Predictions of the total economic costs of the cap-and-trade programme described in the bill vary widely. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the net annual cost of the programme in 2020 would be $22 billion – or about $175 per American household. Other estimates put the ultimate cost much higher. The Heritage Foundation [a Washington-based conservative think tank] concludes that cap-and-trade would cost the economy $161 billion by 2020 – or about $1,870 per household. Such estimates do not necessarily account for changes in the price of energy that would occur naturally as diminishing investment limits production of fossil fuel- based energy. Sector-by-sector impact Utilities are likely to be the most affected by the new price of carbon, especially in those regions that derive much of their power from coal-fired plants. The Midwest, the country’s manufacturing base and the home of many of its coal-fired plants, seems particularly vulnerable. (Allowances in the legislation are intended to find the funds to improve competitiveness of coal plants.)

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EuroWire – September 2009

The work world

Even in a downturn, American employers struggle to fill openings for skilled workers Cianbro Corp (Pittsfield, Maine) is in the business of heavy general commercial and industrial construction and manage- ment. Just as the recession began in the US, a company manager set out to hire 80 experienced welders. “Only now, 18 months later,” wrote Louis Uchitelle of the New York Times, “is he completing the roster.” This was offered as an illustration of something easily overlooked in the standard employment data published by Washington DC. Yes, the unemployment rate in the US is at 9.4%, the highest level in nearly 30 years, but companies are begging for qualified applicants for jobs requiring skills – like welding – that take years to attain. (“Despite Recession, High Demand for Skilled Labour,” 24 th June) Electrical lineman, particularly with skill in stringing high-voltage wires across the landscape, is another occupation in which openings are going unfilled. Geotechnical engineers, trained in geology as well as engineering, are also in demand. With infrastructure spending now on the rise, so are civil engineers to supervise the work. “Not newly graduated civil engineers,” Larry Jacobson, executive director of the National Society of Professional Engineers, asserted. “What’s missing are enough licensed professionals who have worked at least five years under experienced engineers before taking the licensing exam.” Chris McGrary, the Cianbro manager, made it clear to the Times what his company means by ‘experienced.’ Cianbro conducted plenty of interviews, only to have many of the applicants falter at the welding test. It was discovered that only those with ten years of experience – and not even all of them – could produce a perfect weld: one without flaws, even in an X-ray. Those who could, if they fit the bill otherwise, were snapped up within a day or two. Mr Uchitelle perceives a common denominator with these ❈ ❈ hard-to-fill jobs that would appear to hold significance for the post-recession US. Employers are looking for people who have acquired an exacting skill, first through education – often just high school vocational training – and then by gaining mastery on the job. But the academic sociologist Richard Sennett told the Times that this trajectory, requiring years, is no longer so easy in America. “The pressure to earn a bachelor’s degree draws young people away from occupational training,” said Mr Sennett. He cited two additional factors prejudicial to apprentice training: outsourcing interrupts employment before a skill is fully developed; and, layoffs undermine dedication to a single occupation. Said Mr Sennett, “People are told they can’t get back to work unless they retrain for a new skill.”

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EuroWire – September 2009

Transat lant ic Cable

Attracted by the state’s pool of tech- savvy workers, GE picks Michigan for a project that will create 1,200 jobs this year

Air wars

The Paris Air Show was good for Airbus – less so for Boeing The perennial – some might say perpetual – exchange of unpleasantries between the world’s two leading aircraft makers is set for another round, and the air over the Atlantic is thick with claims and counterclaims of unfair preferment and advantage. Chicago-based Boeing Co says it expects the World Trade Organization to back the company and the US government in a legal dispute over state assistance to European rival Airbus SAS, which is seeking nearly $5 billion in launch aid for its new wide-bodied A350 jet. Boeing also expects the WTO ruling in its favour to be ignored by Airbus, thereby spurring Washington to action against the four major Airbus shareholders: Britain, France, Germany, and Spain. Retaliation by the Europeans could set off the ugliest and costliest trade dispute in many years. As these matters are in the hands of the WTO, they need not detain us. Meanwhile, the 48 th International Paris Air Show, held 15 th –21 st June at Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, permitted an interim evaluation of the combatants on another field of battle. While neither manufacturer would offer projections for deliveries next year, and both said they spent much of the show reassuring suppliers about build rates, a clear winner emerged: Airbus. Airbus’s Paris orders were worth $6.4 billion at list price. (As reported from the show by Andrea Rothman and Susanna Ray of Bloomberg News, Airbus said it has kept its pricing firm despite the global recession.) The unit of European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Co (EADS) also announced it had 69 com- mitments worth another $6.5 billion, including two A350s for Vietnam Airlines. Boeing won seven commitments for its 777s from Turkish Airlines, and two firm orders for other planes. The world’s leading mobile phone makers pledge that, as of 2010, a universal charger will be able to power all their smartphones Texas Instruments Inc and Qualcomm Inc, two US companies that make components for cell phones, were among the signers of an agreement that would impose a single charging standard for mobile data-enabled (‘smart’) phones sold in European Union member countries. Other companies now committed to developing a standard for phone charging based on the Micro-USB interface include Nokia Corp, Motorola Inc, and Apple Inc (all US), Samsung Electronics Co and LG Electronics Inc (both of South Korea), Sony Ericsson (Swedish), Research in Motion Ltd (Canadian), and NEC Corp (Japanese). These alone account for more than 80% of the global market for cell phones, suggesting that the new charger will likely become standard well beyond the EU. Telecom

Reporting on the opening of General Electric’s new $100-million “advanced manufacturing technology and software center” in southeast Michigan, Detroit Free Press business writer John Gallagher noted a formula for fuller employment. Where skilled labour is available, other elements can be made to fall into place: regional government, corporate leadership, the educational establishment. Commenting on GE chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt’s selection of a home for a project that will generate up to 1,200 jobs in the first year, Mr Gallagher wrote, “The presence of skilled local talent was one reason Immelt cited for GE’s choice of Michigan for a center that could have gone anywhere.” At a joint news conference to announce the opening of the GE centre, Governor Jennifer Granholm said the new jobs would pay in the range of $100,000 per year – welcome news in a state with an unemployment rate for May of 14.1%, the highest in the nation. The first question for Mr Immelt was how quickly local people could apply for work at the centre. He said that GE was setting up a website for the purpose. (“New Facility to Hire Tech-Savvy Workers,” 27 th June) “We’ve had a long association with the state,” Mr Immelt told the news conference, in Birmingham. “The University of Michigan is one of the biggest feeders into the GE system. We’ve long been believers in the quality education of the state. We can tap into some of the great labour resources that already exist in the state.” Mr Gallagher observed that a very considerable “dowry” was offered to seal “this public-private marriage.” The Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $74 million in potential tax credits for GE over 12 years. The estimated return to the state during that period from increased tax collections would be $146 million. Both Gov Granholm and Mr Immelt gave full marks to US Senator Debbie Stabenow for helping win the GE project for Michigan, which has been devastated by the contraction of the domestic auto industry. One of the largest US firms, GE makes transportation and ❈ ❈ energy equipment. The new centre to open later this year in Visteon Village, about 25 miles from Detroit, will feature a research and development facility to produce next-generation manufacturing technologies for GE’s renewable energy, aircraft engine, gas turbine, and other high-technology products. The company said in a statement that the work “will include development of composites, machining, inspection, and casting and coating technologies for GE’s aviation and energy businesses.”

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