WCA May/July 2020

Industry news

Top position in measuring, control, sorting and inspection systems

WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo 2020 cancelled The Wire Association International (WAI) has announced that its board of directors has cancelled the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo 2020 due to the uncertain trajectory and effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was originally scheduled for 3-4 June at the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. The suspension of the event had previously been announced in March, pending further investigation of the availability of alternate dates and the viability of rescheduling later this year. However, after full consideration, and following recommendations by WAI’s exhibition planning committee, the directors made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the event. Some elements of WAI’s 90 th Annual Convention, including the presentation of the WAI Mordica Memorial, Donnellan Memorial, and President’s Awards, will take place in 2020, likely at a WAI Chapter event. Commenting on the decision, WAI president and exhibition planning committee member Jan Sørige said, “I am confident in our decision. Our priority is the health and safety of WAI’s community. As of today, we shift focus to Interwire 2021 in Atlanta. “WAI’s staff and committee members are fully engaged to ensure that Interwire is a success. We extend thanks to WAI’s loyal exhibitor base, its sponsors and speakers, and look forward to a productive show in 2021.” Interwire – the long-running trade event for wire and cable in the Americas – will in 2021 celebrate 40 years since its founding. It is scheduled for 10-13 May, 2021, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where it originated in 1981. Wire Expo exhibitors are being offered refunds, or the option to transfer booth payments for Expo to their balance due for Interwire. The Wire Association International, Inc www.wirenet.org

❍ The Sikora headquarters in Bremen, Germany Sikora AG, a manufacturer and supplier of measuring, control, inspection and sorting technology, has been listed as “global market leader – future champion 2020”, based on the “global market leader index” of the Henri B Meier Entrepreneur School of the University of St Gallen and the Academy of German Global Market Leaders (ADWM). The company has already been on the list of global market leaders since 2016. CEO Dr Christian Frank commented, “We are delighted to receive this award as it cannot be taken for granted. To be rated among the global market leaders confirms the course our company is taking. The development of future-oriented technologies, the diversification into new markets, our international network and our long-standing experience create the foundation for successful growth.” Dr Frank also thanked all Sikora employees: “The award is an excellent motivation to continue and further expand our commitment.” The annually updated list of the “global market leaders – future champions” in Germany is based on an objective and transparent selection process. According to the index, global market leaders are worldwide-active, successful companies with mostly leading technologies and under family management. They show the largest or second largest market share in their segment. Their annual turnover is between 5 and 50 million euros, of which at least 40 per cent has been generated abroad. “Future champions” are also active on at least three continents. All of these criteria were fulfilled by Sikora. The technology company was founded in 1973 by Harald Sikora, after whom it is named. As a manufacturer and supplier of measuring and control technology for the wire and cable, hose and tube, sheets, optical fibre, metals and plastics industries, the company has 14 international offices and more than 30 regional representatives. The measuring and control systems are exclusively made at the headquarters in Bremen, Germany. Sikora AG www.sikora.net

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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/July 2020