wiredInUSA July 2019

Industry highlights from Interwire 2019 From 47 countries and 39 states, more than 3,500 wire and cable industry professionals descended on Atlanta, Georgia, USA, for the Interwire exhibition and conference, and the Wire Association International’s 89 th annual convention. Running alongside was the Global Continuous Casting Forum, the Fundamentals of WireManufacturing course, and the co-located International Fastener Manufacturing Exposition (IFME). Commenting on the activities, 2019 WAI president WT Bigbee said: “This year’s Interwire was a perfect blend of solutions on the exhibit floor and comprehensive educational programs. As a representative of one of the 400 manufacturing facilities with personnel in attendance, I saw that the industry was well served by this extensive showcase of everything that makes the wire and cable industry special.” The Interwire conference featured a roster of VIP speakers who addressed the conference’s “Next Generation” theme. Presentation highlights included: • Keynote speaker Dr Shawn DuBravac, who discussed “The Future of Wires and Cables in a Connected World”

• The “State of Manufacturing,” by Karl G Glassman, president and CEO, Leggett & Platt, and director, National Association of Manufacturers

• “Global Wire & Cable Market Outlook,” by Philip Radbourne, director, Integer Research (an Argus Media Co)

• “Sector Insights/Forecasts” Panel, with Bill Reichert, president, Champlain Cable Corp; Brian Parsons, president, Interstate Wire Co; and Paul Wagner, president and CEO of Minnesota Wire

• “Positioning for Future Challenges and Opportunities,” by Giacomo Sofia, COO, Prysmian Group North America

• “Operations Innovation” Panel, with Andy Talbot, Mid-South Wire; Dave Hawker, Nexans Energy; Richard Wagner, Insteel Wire Products; Tom Heberling, Southwire Co LLC; and Ali Shehab, Cimteq Ltd

• “Tariffs & Trade – Steel Wire Impact,” by HOWoltz III, CEO Insteel Industries Inc

Background image courtesy of Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA