Wire & Cable Asia September 2017

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20 Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2017
Industrynews
JOSEPH William Scher – a highly respected and
instrumental figure in the wire and cable industry – has died
aged 82 after a brief illness.
A father and grandfather, ‘Bill’ joined Weber & Scher Mfg Co
Inc in 1957. Prior to this he received a Bachelor of Art
Degree in Engineering from Dartmouth College in New
Hampshire, USA.
Directly thereafter, he secured his Masters of Science
Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Thayer School
at Dartmouth. He went on to become a licensed
professional engineer in the state of New Jersey.
After his studies, Mr Scher joined Weber & Scher where he
was immediately responsible for the sole operation of the
company.
In the 1940s, Weber & Scher, working closely with Western
Electric, developed a line of metal tape handling,
corrugating and forming equipment for producing what was
referred to back then as the ‘Stalpeth’ and ‘Alpeth’ sheath
constructions, which were utilised in the production of
copper telephone cable.
Mr Scher advanced this technology by adapting and
standardising the equipment such that it could be utilised in
the diverse manufacturing environments of independent
cable manufacturers within the USA. This technology
continues to be widely used today in the worldwide
production of optical fibre cables, copper telephone cables,
power cables, etc.
In addition to operating a successful company, he took on
the role of consultant to the wire and cable industry.
The extent of these consulting services extended to the
complete development of cable manufacturing facilities.
Shortly after, he pursued the initiative of introducing the full
range of equipment manufactured by Weber & Scher to
established and newly emerging markets throughout the
world, including the Far East, Central Europe, Eastern
Europe, and the Middle East.
In 2007, Mr Scher was awarded the WCTI Technical
Achievement Award for his 50 plus years of involvement in
the wire and cable industry. He was also a member of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan; sons Douglas
and Gregory; and six grandchildren.
Weber & Scher Mfg Co Inc – USA
Website:
Death of J William Scher