WCA January 2015

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12 Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2015
Industrynews
Low
voltage
expansion
for ABB
ABB has
launched a new
production
facility in
Cibitung,
Indonesia, to
boost its
miniature circuit
breaker
production
capacity within
the region.
Global head of
ABB’s low voltage
products division
Tarak Mehta said:
“We see
substantial
growth
opportunities for
the low voltage
business in
Indonesia. The
country’s strong
economic growth
prospects,
coupled with a
young population,
is expected to
increase demand
in the residential,
industrial and
commercial
construction
sectors.
Electricity
demand grew by
ten percent last
year.”
The new facility
will employ more
than 200 people
and has been
developed as
part of the
company’s
market
penetration,
innovation,
expansion (PIE)
growth strategy.
FOUNDED in 1903, Thompson
and Hudson Wire Machinery
has been steadily growing to
become one of the UK’s
largest manufacturers of wire
straightening, cutting and
forming machines. These
produce a range of wire
products, from surgical
needles to concrete
reinforcement bars, for
customers throughout the
world.
Thorite, the UK’s largest
independent distributor of
pneumatic products and
process systems, has been a
regular supplier to Thompson
and Hudson since 1967,
providing unique pneumatic
system support plus various
Norgren pneumatic equipment,
to help maximise the speed,
accuracy and efficiency of the
wire cutting machines.
The two established Yorkshire,
UK, companies have mutually
benefitted over the years,
creating a close synergy.
Paul Thompson, Thompson
and Hudson’s managing
director, is proud of the export
successes his machines have
achieved and said: “Many
people seem to believe that
UK manufacturing companies
have been unable to compete
with products from far eastern
companies which are
produced using comparatively
cheap labour.
“However, in the world of wire
machinery I’m pleased to say
this is definitely not the case.
We’ve recently supplied
special purpose machines to
China which straighten and cut
wire to make paint roller
handles and to India for
producing twist drills, among a
long list of similar projects.
“I’m certain that the skills and
expertise which can only be
found in UK organisations
which have honed their output
over time is the secret to
continuing success.”
Thompson and Hudson is
located in Brighouse, West
Yorkshire, and its machinery is
used to produce thousands of
items, from fireguards to fish
hooks, and dish drainers to
dartboards.
The company sells to to
manufacturers in Germany,
America and Iceland as well as
India and China, not forgetting
the home market which is
currently seeing an increase in
orders.
Thompson and Hudson Wire
Machinery – UK
Website: www.
thompsonandhudson.co.uk
Thorite – UK
Website:
Steady growth over the years
❍ Thompson and Hudson’s machinery produces a range of wire
products
Price hike
Ugitech and Deutsche
Edelstahlwerke, subsidiaries
of Schmolz and Bickenbach
Group, have announced a
price increase on their
stainless steel bars, wire rod
and drawn wire products.
Increases will range up to
€50 per tonne from now.
Ugitech – Germany
Website:
Deutsche Edelstahlwerke
– Germany
Website: