EoW 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