WCA September 2010

Industry news

ABB has announced that it will construct a new factory in the United States to manufacture high-voltage land cables for power transmission. ABB will invest approximately $90 million in the new manufacturing facility, which is expected to employ around 100 people. “Cables play a key role in the efficiency and reliability of long-distance power transmission,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “The need to upgrade the existing transmission infrastructure in the United States, to provide grid interconnections and integrate more renewable power into the grid is driving demand for cables.” manufacturing polymeric insulated cables since the early 1970s. The company’s offering includes XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulated cables for use in high-voltage applications, up to 500kV, that provide opportunities for energy-efficient power transmission. Around the world, ABB has delivered more than 7,200km of XLPE cables for voltage levels above 100kV. In the 1950s ABB delivered the world’s first commercial HVDC (high-voltage direct current) power link. The company developed HVDC Light in the 1990s and delivered the world’s longest underwater power link in 2008. ABB to build new cable factory in US ABB has been

Precision Rolling has been acquired by ASMAG UK Ltd. Precision Rolling specialises in equipment for the manufacture of simple and complex profiles in low to high-carbon steels and non-ferrous materials. David Liddle, managing director of ASMAG UK Ltd, commented: “We are delighted to extend our product range through this acquisition. “Precision Rolling offers an extensive range of profile manufacturing equipment, together with ancillary machinery, that enables complete production lines to be designed, built and installed. “The product lines complement ASMAG’s existing tube manufacturing machinery.” Mr Liddle explained: “Following the takeover of a German supplier some years ago, and now the recent acquisition, ASMAG UK Ltd can offer a complete and comprehensive solution to the wire industry.” ASMAG UK Ltd is the UK division of ASMAG-Anlagenplanung und Sondermaschinenbau GmbH, an Austrian supplier of copper, brass, steel, stainless steel and aluminium tube manufacturing equipment. Precision Rolling acquired by ASMAG UK

Niehoff to represent HFSAB As from 1 st April 2010 Maschinenfabrik Niehoff assumed representation (outside of the European Community) of HFSAB, a leading supplier of lead sheathing equipment to the cable industry. HFSAB, known as H Folke Sandelin AB and Hansson Robertson, is part of the Canadian mining company Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. It has specialised in the manufacturing of horizontal continuous lead extruders and cable repair and recovery systems. The range of horizontal continuous lead extruders developed and built by HFSAB are used to apply lead sheaths to submarine and underground power, communication and fibre optic cables. The lead sheathing provides an excellent barrier to chemicals, oils, water and sulphides and lengthens the service life of cables. Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co KG – Germany

Fax : +49 9122 977155 Email : info@niehoff.de Website : www.niehoff.de

HFSAB (H Folke Sandelin AB) – Sweden Website : www.hfsab.com

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Precision Rolling – UK Email : info@asmaguk.com Website : www.precisionrolling.co.uk

ABB – Switzerland Website : www.abb.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2010