EoW May 2011

Confidence running high as Interwire arrives

One thing which has struck me over the last cou- ple of issues of EuroWire is the overwhelming con dence coming from within the industry. Not only in terms of good news stories, the amount of record-breaking contracts being awarded, record pro ts being announced by some companies, and technological advances being made by investing in research and devel- opment. There has also been a high number of compa- ny purchases and buy-outs – a sure sign of an industry gearing itself up for a return to a more nancially stable period. Whilst I think it is fair to say we’re not out of the economic wilderness entirely, the green shoots of recovery bandied around somewhat prematurely by politicians a couple of years ago do seem to be taking hold and, in some cases, owering. There is an air of con dence – an ideal platform as we head to Atlanta, Georgia, for Interwire. The biggest wire and cable show in the USA has undergone a transformation. Interwire is going back to its roots and has been given a whole new format. A brave move on the back of challenging times, but one that – from exhibitor numbers alone – seems to have paid o . The exhibition – rst held in the city some 30 years ago – has grown into one of the most in uential in the Americas. And if the con dence from organisers and exhibitors is passed down to the oor then the industry’s emergence from an extremely trying and di cult period can only arrive sooner.

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On a more personal note, I would like to thank everyone who has wished me well on my return to EuroWire, and I am hoping to meet up with many of you at Interwire.

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David Bell Editor

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EuroWire – May 2011