WCA March 2008

news

Joining up with the students

Joachim Uhing KG GmbH & Co in Mielkendorf is supporting the startIng! project run by Kiel University of Applied Sciences. Grouped in project teams, freshman students can gather on-site experience, test their aptitude and get informed of career opportunities. For a long time, business manage- ment students have had the privilege of practically implementing their theoretical knowledge. What would be more obvious than putting flesh on the bones of mechanical engineering theory by allowing an insight in the daily life of a practical engineer? “There is hardly any other sector that demands such a close interaction between theoretical background and practical skills,” says Burkhard Bohn, Uhing KG’s Engineering head. “This is why we decided to support the startIng! project.” Kiel University of Applied Sciences launched the project in winter 2006/07.

Some 50 freshman students, grouped in teams of 10, may take on the role of an engineer after only six weeks of studies. To give them an idea of what their future job holds in store, they solve a problem posed by a sponsoring company. In the course of the project, originating from a very successful initiative of Darmstadt Technical University started in 1998, the future engineers also learn to understand why it is important to study the theoretical background often regarded as dry and removed from reality. “During project work, the students can find out whether the subject they have chosen appeals to them. We can assist young students and also inform them of their career opportunities,” added Bohn. “Everybody is talking about the threatening technological emergency in Germany,” said Wolfgang Weber, Uhing’s sales and marketing head, in an attempt to explain the motives of the likewise innovative and long- established enterprise to sponsor a group of students.

“It is relatively easy to replicate a machine but you cannot imitate the decades of experience that led to its development. We are glad to offer young students an insight into the daily life of classical engineering. They get first hand experience of what it means to practically implement theore- tical knowledge and realise how much know-how is required for our work.” Joachim Uhing KG GmbH & Co – Germany Fax : +49 4347 90640

Email : sales@uhing.com Website : www.uhing.com Prices on the up

Dow Wire and Cable has increased its prices on all its wire and cable resins, compounds and materials sold in North America. The $0.12 per pound increase was effective from 1 st January 2008.

Dow Wire and Cable – USA Fax : +1 713 978 3281 Email : info@dow.com Website : www.dow.com

Career awards for WCMA

The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance (WCMA) has announced the recipients of its 2008 Distinguished Career Award. The 24 th annual awards dinner and investiture ceremony will take place on 12 th April in Windsor, Connecticut, at the Hartford/Windsor Marriott Airport Hotel. This year’s recipients are: Brian Bukovec, chief operating officer and vice president, Radix Wire; Mike Carbray, general manager, Amphenol/Spectra-Strip; David Chu, materials development director, Draka USA; Tony Dolce, CFO and director of administration, T & T Marketing; Virginia Hauser, vice president of sales, Phelps Dodge Sales Co; Richard Kruger, vice president sales and marketing, Champlain Cable Corp; Guy Marini, president and CEO, NEPTCO Inc; Fred Wagner, founder, Minnesota Wire & Cable. The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance (WCMA) was established in June 2004 as the successor organisation to the Wire & Cable Clubs of America. WCMA is a corporate membership organisation for manufacturers of conductor, insulated wire, cables, fibre optic cables, and connectivity products with an established manufacturing base in North America, as well as industry suppliers and service providers. Fax : +1 860 873 3281 Email : info@wcmainc.org Website : www.wcmainc.org WCMA – USA

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2008