EoW November 2010

E uro W ire • N ovember 2010 T he I nternational M agazine for the W ire and C able I ndustries V ol 13 N o 6

The International Magazine for the Wire and Cable Industries

“Now is the time to get serious about algae” Browsing through an issue of Professional Engineering magazine this quote from DrJeanBotti,chieftechnicalo cerofAirbus manufacturer EADS, caught my attention. As green fuel sources go, it’s hard to think of anything that could be greener than algae but, puns aside, it’s apparently one of the most promising sources of biofuel to replace kerosene in aircraft. Unlike other biofuel crops (such as maize or sugarcane) the cultivation of algae doesn’t competewith foodcrops; it canbegrownon thepoorest of land. Other biofuel crops also make high demands on irrigation water; the amount of water needed for processing biomass is dwarfed by the amount needed to grow the crops (a litre of sugarcane ethanol demands a staggering 3,500 litres of India’s irrigation water) whereas algae makes good use of non-potable or even saltwater. However, Dr Botti’s enthusiasm for algae isn’t con ned to its cultivation. His research indicates that algae biofuel has a higher energy content than conventional JET-A1 fuel, reducing consumption while maintainingperformance, andtheresulting exhaust gases contain considerably smaller amounts of hydrocarbons than those produced by crude oil derived kerosene. Nitrogenoxideandsulphur oxideemissions are reduced too; in the case of nitrogen oxide, by up to 40%. The technology exists to develop and produce biofuel from algae (it’s already been used for a test ight), but more development is needed to produce the necessary economic and industrial scale of both algae and fuel. The point is that Dr Botti is calling on its traditional rival, Boeing, to join forces with EADS in order to accelerate investment and research into algae biofuel. I’m keeping my ngers crossed that Boeingwill beprepared to take up the challenge, though I’d prefer to see a joint-government-funded research project, in the spirit of CERN.

* US$33 purchase only Front cover: Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co KG See page 108 for further details E DITOR : ....................................... Gill Watson F EATURES E DITOR (USA) : .........Dorothy Fabian E DITORIAL ASSISTANT : .................Christian Bradley D ESIGN /P RODUCTION : ................Julie Tomlin P RODUCTION : ..............................Lisa Benjamin S ALES & M ARKETING : ................Giuliana Benedetto ( I NTERNATIONAL ) Italy Hendrike Morriss Germany, Austria, Switzerland Linda Li 中文 Jeroo Vandrevala India A DVERTISEMENT C OORDINATOR : ............................Liz Hughes A CCOUNTS M ANAGER : ................Richard Babbedge S UBSCRIPTIONS : ..........................Liz Hughes P UBLISHER : ..................................Caroline Sullens F OUNDER : ....................................John C Hogg

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contents

Technical Articles

Reducing cost in manufacturing compact conductors using roll form stranding

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By Sean Harrington, sales and marketing manager for Ceeco Bartell Products

Kosteneinsparungen bei der Herstellung verdichteter Leiter mit Einsatz von Pro lwalzen-Verseilen Von Sean Harrington, Verkaufs- und Marketingleiter Ceeco Bartell Products Снижение издержек при производстве уплотненных токопроводящих жил с использованием технологии повивной скрутки с преформированием проволоки Шон Харрингтон, менеджер по продажам и маркетингу компании Ceeco Bartell Products Réduction des coûts dans la fabrication de conducteurs compacts au moyen de toronnage avec pro lage Par Sean Harrington, directeur du marketing et des ventes de Ceeco Bartell Products Riduzione dei costi nella fabbricazione dei conduttori compatti utilizzando la trefolatura con pro latura A cura di Sean Harrington, direttore del marketing e delle vendite di Ceeco Bartell Products

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Photo copyright: BigStockPhoto.com ‘Gateway to India’ Photograp

103 Reducción de los costes en la fabricación de conductores compactos cableados mediante

Deutsch Inhalt 72 Neuigkeiten 108 Inserentenverzeichnis

Содержание на русском языке 79 Ηοвости рьінка 108 Перечень рекламодателей

conformado por rodillos Por Sean Harrington, director de marketing y ventas de Ceeco Bartell Products

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EuroWire – November 2010

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Diary of events

In The Next Issue

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Corporate News

Features On Stranding, twisting, •

27

Transatlantic Cable

bundling and bunching Lubrication and ltration •

34

Technology N ews

44

Compounds & colourings

GettingTechnical New technology for lubricating cold extrusion materials and cold heading wire

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Wire and Cable India 2010

108 Editorial Index

108 Advertisers’ Index

er: Nickolay Stanev

Indice Español 101 Noticias de Mercado 108 Indice de Anunciadores

Sommaire Français 87 Nouvelles du Marché 108 Index des Annonceurs

Indice Italiano 94 Notizie del Mercato 108 Indice degli Inserzionisti

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EuroWire – November 2010

dates for your diary . . .

November 2010 24–25: EUROFORUM-Conference – technical conference - Brussels, Belgium Organisers : Euroforum Deutschland SE Email : info@euroforum.com Website : www.ehv-cables.com 2011 May 2011 3–5: Interwire – trade exhibition – Atlanta, Georgia, USA Organisers : Wire Association International (WAI) Fax : +1 203 453 8384 Email : info@wirenet.org Website : www.wirenet.org 23–26: wire Russia 2011 – trade exhibition – Moscow, Russia Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf GmbH Fax : +49 211 4560 7740 Email : info@wire-russia.com Website : www.wire-russia.com June 2011 19–23: JICABLE – conference and trade exhibition – Versailles, France Organisers : SEE Email : jicable@see.assoc.fr Website : www.jicable.org September 2011 13–15: wire Southeast Asia – trade exhibition – BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd Email : wire@mda.com.sg Website : www.wire-southeastasia.com October 2011 4–6: WiCAB 2011 – trade exhibition – Centro de Exposições Imigrantes, São Paulo, Brazil Organisers : Grupo Cipa, Brazil Fax : +55 11 5585 4359 Email : feira@cipanet.com.br Website : www.cipanet.com.br

Photocredit–www.bigstockphoto ‘Gateway to India’ • Photographer–NickolayStanev

Wire and Cable India 2010

November 2010 18–20: Wire & Cable India – trade exhibition – Mumbai, India Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf GmbH Fax : +49 211 4560 7740 Email : ryfischd@messe-duesseldorf.de Website : www.wire-india.com

2012 March 2012

26–30: wire/Tube Düsseldorf – trade exhibition – Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Fax : +49 211 45 60668 Email : wire@messe-duesseldorf.de Website : www.wire.de

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporate news

Newagency to supportwire Vapormatt Ltd, a specialist in wet blast cleaning and surface treatment technology, has teamed with Shanghai-based trading company Longyear to develop Vapormatt’s sales, marketing and technical support activities in the vigorous wire manufacturing and associated production sectors in the Peoples’ Republic of China. Longyear joins a number of existing Vapormatt agents and distributors operating in other areas of manufacturing in China. Commenting on the new agency agreement, Vapormatt’s sales director, Mick Teague, said: “We are very excited about the prospect of increasing the sales of our latest wire processing technology in China – where we already have a number of wet blast machines in operation – and look forward to developing a close working relationship with Longyear. As well as providing a high level of productivity and quality, our wet blast systems are particularly environmentally friendly, which we know is a very important factor in Chinese manufacturing industry today.” Vapormatt – UK Fax : +44 1823 336446 Pictured at Vapormatt’s headquarters are Windy Fang from Longyear and Vapormatt sales director, Mick Teague ▲ ▲

Alcan consolidates production

Alcan Cable, a business of Rio Tinto, is to consolidate its cable production facilities to improve the performance of its cable business. Alcan will close its Roseburg, Oregon facility by the end of 2010. “This decision is difficult, but has been made necessary by the prolonged poor market conditions and outlook in the market,” explained Jack Miller, president of Alcan Cable. “Moving forward, Alcan Cable will focus on its North American production at its remaining cable facilities and continue to provide high quality cable products and service to our customers.” Alcan Cable’s focus will be on ensuring a seamless transition during the plant closure process, while the realignment of manufacturing operations will provide Alcan Cable the flexibility to expand production capacity at its remaining cable plants. Alcan Cable – USA Website : www.cable.alcan.com

Email : sales@vapormatt.com Website : www.vapormatt.com

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporatenews

IBA enters exclusive agreement with Dasheng

“Entering such collaboration with IBA allows us to extend our geographical coverage while offering our users the support and the service of IBA around the world,” added Mr Kenneth Hsiao, CEO of Dasheng. Dasheng E-beam accelerators and IBA Dynamitrons are state- of-the-art accelerators designed for both industrial processing and research applications. Wire and cable insulation crosslinking with electron beam improves cables insulation strength, durability and resistance with higher standards than any other technology. Every year, a greater percentage of automotive and aeronautics cables are treated with electron beam processing. IBA Industrial – Belgium Fax : +32 1047 5992

IBA has extended its offering by adding the Dasheng Electron beam accelerators to its portfolio of high current IBA-Dynamitron® (formerly called RDI Dynamitron®). As of 1 st April 2010, IBA will be the exclusive distributor of the Dasheng E-beam accelerators outside of China. IBA will also be responsible for providing installation and support services to Dasheng E-beam accelerator customers in the same area. “Not only will this collaboration extend our IBA Dynamitron portfolio but Dasheng will also bring in the collaboration its expertise in cable and heat-shrink products, reel-to-reel under beam systems, irradiation process and related compounds,” said Serge Lamisse, president of IBA Industrial. “Our customers will have access to both product lines. Dasheng E-beam accelerators are mainly targeted for R&D facilities or lower current applications, while the original IBA Dynamitron will focus on high current, high throughput applications,” he explained. FullStage takes the cutting edge in Europe FullStage Technologies has acquired exclusive rights to represent Haven Manufacturing, of the USA, as the company’s sole agency in Europe. Haven Manufacturing is a producer of tube and bar cutting machines, particularly known in the automotive industry. Its product range includes dual-blade shear cutting, Kleen- Cut supported shear cutting, flying shear tube cutting, wire brush de-burring, end finishing and automated tube cutting systems.

Email : industrial.eu@iba-group.com Website : www.iba-industrial.com

FullStage Technologies will also offer wire benders from Japan, under its brand Taihei. FullStage Technologies GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 8024 60834 29

Email : info-europe@fullstage-tech.com Website : www.fullstage-technologies.com

Haven Manufacturing – USA Website : www.havencut.com

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporatenews

Emirates Steel increases output by 45.4% and sales volumes by 30%

An article appearing on the AME Info news website reports that Emirates Steel, the largest single integrated steel producer in the UAE, registered an increase in finished products output of 45.4% during the first half of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. Product sales increased by 30% during the same period. According to figures released by the company, production of rebar grew by 26% during the first half of the year, compared to the first six months of 2009, while the output of wire rod went up by a significant 283%. Exports of rebar products more than doubled. The company sells around 80% of its products to the local markets, while the rest is exported to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, India, China, the Far East and Pakistan. “This is a significant increase considering the downturn in local and regional markets,” said Mr Carl Andersson, SVP of operations. “The construction sector is the primary consumer of our rebar and wire rod products,” he added. “Our objective is to be one of the leading regional companies in steel making. To reach this goal, we are working hard to eliminate bottlenecks in production. Like most steel makers, we have to operate our facilities at full capacity to make a profit.”

Emirates Steel is the largest single integrated steel producer in the UAE ▲ ▲

Mr Juma Al Mansouri, AVP of sales, expects Emirates Steel to export more than 50% of its wire rod and coil products in 2011, whilst only 15% of rebar output will be exported. “On the commissioning of the steel sections mill, during the first quarter of 2012, further export opportunities will be targeted,” he concluded. Emirates Steel Industries – United Arab Emirates Website : www.esi-steel.com

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporate news

Leoni wins contract to equip the new Fiat engine...

“The Leoni Group has resumed its acquisition activity, which we temporarily suspended because of the economic crisis. Our objective is to expand in fast growing and profitable niche markets,” Dr Klaus Probst, president and CEO of Leoni AG, stated. “This acquisition of RoMack strengthens us in both regional and technological terms.” The purchase is being executed via subsidiary FiberTech USA Inc, which belongs to the Leoni Fiber Optics unit. It specialises in business involving optical fibre. With this takeover Leoni Fiber Optics will be among a dozen providers worldwide with complete command of optical base technologies in development and production – from product design to preform and fibre production through to making fibre optic cables and special optical components. Leoni now has over 350 employees at premises in central Franconia, Thuringia, northern Baden, Berlin and the Rhineland in Germany as well as in the US states of Arizona and Virginia and also in Ontario, Canada.

Leoni has obtained a supplier contract to equip a new two-litre MultiJet turbo diesel engine with cable harnesses. The environmental standard applies from February 2011 onwards to all new cars sold in Europe. The engine is to be used in several Fiat and Chrysler models, starting with the new Dodge Journey. The engine cable harness comprises 57 wires with a total length of around 110m and containing over 500g of copper. Due to the mission profile received from Fiat Powertrain, all plastic components and protection elements have to guarantee 150˚C temperature resistance. The start of production is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2010. Leoni will deliver between 100,000 and 150,000 units per year from one of its Tunisian plants. Leoni has been supplying the Fiat Group for 30 years. Among others, the company develops and produces wiring harnesses for Fiat Punto Classic, Lancia Y and Musa. ... and makes an acquisition Leoni has acquired the US-based company RoMack Inc, a specialist in optical fibre technology, as part of its strategy of strengthening its niche market position by acquisition.

Leoni AG – Germany Fax : +49 911 2023 231 Email : info@leoni.com Website : www.leoni.com

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporate news

DCM Industries has redesigned and enhanced its website to provide improved access to product and support information. The new site includes easy navigation to the major product offerings including LAN cable, telecom cable, coaxial cable and special cable testing solutions. DCM Industries Inc – USA Fax : +1 510 670 7212 Website : www.dcmindustries.com Improved cable website 60 years of drawing dies Foxton Dies Ltd has celebrated its 60 th anniversary during 2010. Established in 1950 by Frank Fox, the company has grown from a small, locally-based concern into a worldwide manufacturer of tungsten carbide wire drawing dies. The company has flourished during a period that has seen general manufacturing ravaged in the UK. Frank Fox had worked during the 1940s in the die department at Charles Hurst & Son, a renowned wire drawing factory. He saw the opportunity of setting up a specialist die manufacturing business of his own and so started the company from a small wooden shed in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire just a few hundred metres away from the current premises.

Joint venture to produce power cables in China Furukawa Electric Co has said it will begin joint-venture production of industrial-use rubber-insulated power cables in China. The cable manufacturer plans to establish Huatong Furukawa (Tangshan) Cable Co with Hebei Huatong Wires & Cables Group Co. Capitalised at roughly 1.75 billion yen, the joint venture will be 45% owned by the Furukawa group, with the remainder held by the Chinese power cable producer. The venture is expected to employ about 200 people and will begin producing rubber-insulated power cables, for use in mining and oil drilling equipment and for wind turbines, at a Hebei Huatong factory. Furukawa Electric Co Ltd – Japan Website : www.furukawa.co.jp Hebei HuatongWires & Cables Group Co – China Website : www.huatongcables.com The endowments have been established at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell for students in that school’s Department of Plastics Engineering, and at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in the William States Lee College of Engineering. The universities are both located within close proximity to the recent and planned IWCS Conference venues of Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. International Wire and Cable Symposium Inc – USA Fax : +1 732 389 0991 Website : www.iwcs.org The International Wire and Cable Symposium Inc has announced the establishment of endowments to support future scholarships at two strategic universities. The endowments will, eventually, support the granting of two annual scholarships, tentatively set at $3,000 each, at each of the institutions. While the endowment funds are building, the IWCS also established two current scholarships at each institution in the amount of $3,000 each to be awarded this year. The scholarship awards, both current and from the endowment, will be made by the institutions to students in their second, third or fourth years of studies in an engineering curriculum. IWCS will have the final approval of any proposed awards. New IWCS scholarships

Foxton Dies is celebrating 60 years in business ▲ ▲

Engineering excellence and customer service remain the main aims of the company, but managing director Darrell Fox, son of the founder, takes a progressive approach to the future of the business. “We really want to strengthen our message even more. Our customers include manufacturers of wire, bar, cables, jewellery, reinforced concrete, tyres and many more, but new applications are being found all the time. Our experience in industry means that we can find solutions for all types of manufacturing challenges.” Wire drawing dies are a speciality, both round and shaped, but other types of products are manufactured including extrusion, spinner and guide dies. A cleaning and repair service is also offered, along with various ancillary products. Dies are supplied, often from stock, in any quantity and to any schedule to meet the customer’s specific requirements.

Foxton Dies Ltd – UK Fax : +44 1274 862 818

Email : post@foxtondies.com Website : www.foxtondies.com

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporate news

Investment in renewable energy cable

JDR Cable Systems, a UK manufacturer of subsea power cables, umbilical systems and marine cables for the energy sector, has signed a deal to expand its current 100,000ft 2 facility at Hartlepool, opened only last July, by a further 116,000ft 2 to meet increasing demand. The purpose-built facility, which incorporates two carousels to process the 2,200 tonne cables, is the only site in the UK designed specifically to manufacture subsea power cables for the oil and gas sector and the burgeoning offshore renewables market. Jerry Hopkinson, PD Ports’ MD, bulks, ports and logistics, said: “The expansion of JDR is very good news as it reinforces Hartlepool’s position in the offshore renewable energy sector and the confidence our customers have in the port’s ability to facilitate the needs of offshore manufacturers. “It is evidence that our plans to build a renewable energy supply chain cluster in the region is progressing well.” The location at Hartlepool dock allows the cables to be spooled directly onto cable-laying vessels. The Hartlepool site is also strategically placed for the Dogger Bank’s North Sea expansion zone which the UK government recently targeted as a preferred site for wind farm technology. JDR Cable Systems was recently awarded a £2 million grant by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change to develop

JDR’s new facility will manufacture subsea power cables for the offshore market ▲ ▲

high voltage cables for the renewable energy market. The company already supplies medium voltage cables to major offshore wind farms in the UK.

JDR Cable Systems Ltd – UK Website : www.jdrcables.com PD Ports – UK Website : www.pdports.co.uk

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporate news

Taking changes on board at WCISA

WCISA®, the Wire and Cable Industry Suppliers Association, has announced recent changes to its board of directors. Rahul Sachdev, executive vice president of Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp, has been elected as the new president for a three-year term. Mr Sachdev succeeds Thomas Copp, president of Reelex Packaging Solutions. The following existing board members are re-elected to new three-year terms: William E Crowle, president, QED Wire Lines Inc; Rob Fulop, vice president and general manager, Wire Lab Company; David B Kiddoo, global business manager, AlphaGary Corp; Rene Mayer, technical sales, Mossberg Reel LLC; Mike Patel, industry manager – wire and cable compounds, Teknor Apex Co; Joseph Snee, sales manager, Amaral Automation Associates; and John Zachow, business area manager, Davis-Standard Corporation. Two board members, Neville Crabbe, president of Leoni Wire, and Terri W Terry, senior marketing specialist, CommScope BiMetals Product Group, have resigned and Perry Chattler, president of DCM Industries, and Drew Richards, CEO of RichardsApex Inc, elected to three-year terms as new board members. As a non-profit corporate membership organisation, WCISA is grateful for the volunteer service of returning, exiting and new board members, and extends a special note of thanks to Tom Copp, Terri Terry and Neville Crabbe for their guidance and service to WCISA and the wire and cable industry.

Rahul Sachdev is newly appointed president of the WCISA ▲ ▲

WCISA’s membership comprises North American-based suppliers of machinery, materials and accessories used for making all type of wire and cable. The organisation’s mission is to promote members’ products and services by providing its members with representation, networking/social opportunities and services at wire and cable trade events and conferences. Wire and Cable Industry Suppliers Association – USA Fax : +1 330 864 5298

Email : info@wcisaonline.org Website : www.wcisaonline.org

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporatenews

Contracts for Thai subsidiary

New additions at Windak

Thailand totalling THB 258 million (approximately $8 million) over approximately 14 months Siam Fiber Optics Co Ltd is 60% owned by Charoong Thai Wire and Cable Co, and the latter is 51% directly or indirectly owned by APWC. The other three non-controlling interest parties own the remaining 40% of Siam Fiber Optics Co Ltd. Asia Pacific Wire and Cable Corporation is pleased by the strong demand for the telecommunications products in Thailand, viewing the contracts as representative of stable growth in the telecommuni- cations cable business. The company anticipates continued strong demand for wire and cable, together with the expansion of telecommunications and electrical infrastructure in the growing Asia-Pacific region. Asia PacificWire & Cable Corporation Ltd – Taiwan Website : www.apwcc.com Siam Fiber Optics Co Ltd – Thailand Website : www.sfo.co.th

Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Ltd (APWC), manufacturer of wire and cable products for the telecommunications and electric power industries in Asia-Pacific markets, has announced that its subsidiary, Siam Fiber Optics Co Ltd, has signed several major contracts to a total value of Baht 592 million (approximately $18.4 million). A contract with Marubeni Thailand Co Ltd to deliver 5,650km of fibre-optic cable over a seven-month period A THB 121 million ($3.8 million) 2,794km of fibre-optic cable to TOT Public Company Limited, a state-owned telecommunications company. The contract commenced inMay 2010 and was expected to run for four months Industry Co Ltd to provide 4,130km ADSS and 4,324km dropwires of fibre-optic cables in an effort to link the telecommunication network for all the domestic universities in contract to deliver Two contracts from Thai Transmission • • • The contracts include:

Windak has made three new appoint- ments for its Swedish and Estonian offices. Pär Wallmark will be based in Sweden, working on sales and project management in the EMEA area. Margo Paakspuu will be working as a mechanical designer in the Estonian office. He has five years’ experience in mechanical design and production technology, and a Masters degree in engineering science specialising in product development. Dmitri Gomon will be quality assurance manager at Windak’s production plant in Estonia. Dmitri has four years’ experi- ence in mechanical design, product development and manufacturing, with a Masters degree in engineering science specialising in material science.

Windak AB – Sweden Fax : +46 858 03 8955 Email : info@windak.se Website : www.windak.se

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporatenews

India’s leading trade fairs for the metal, wire, cable and tube industries, welding and cutting will gather at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai from 29 th to 31 st October 2012 when Metallurgy India, Tube India International and Schweissen & Schneiden India switch from spring to autumn to run concurrently with Wire & Cable India. The exhibitions are jointly organised by Messe Düsseldorf, its subsidiary Messe Düsseldorf India and Messe Essen, and are supported by major international industry associations including the International Wire & Machinery Association and the International Tube Association. Schweissen & Schneiden is held every four years in Essen and attracts over 1,000 exhibitors and 60,000 trade visitors. It has been present in the Indian subcontinent since 2003 and events are also held in China and Russia. Messe Düsseldorf organises wire and Tube which, every two years, attracts more than 2,000 exhibitors and 70,000 visitors to Düsseldorf. Mumbai – India’s wire and cable focus in 2012

wire Southeast Asia will return to Thailand in 2011, at a time when strong economic growth of 5.8% is said to be forecast for the country. Neighbouring countries including Vietnam and Indonesia expect growth of over 6% and sustained growth in the ASEAN economies is anticipated, driven by both export and domestic consumption. In the meantime, the World Steel Association has indicated that ASEAN’s steel consumption, estimated at 42 million tonnes in 2009, is expected to reach 49 million tonnes in 2011. Countries in the ASEAN region require huge invest- ment in infrastructure, demanding extensive inputs of wire and cable products. In Thailand, for example, automobile production is projected to grow from around 908,000 vehicles in 2009 to over 2.5 million in 2014, and Vietnam is investing heavily in oil and gas, with refining capacity set to almost double by 2014. In 2009, despite the challenging economic environment of the time, wire Southeast Asia concluded on an optimistic note, and the trade fair was well supported by exhibitors, trade visitors, buyers and industry associations. For 2011, the organisers have already secured over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries. wire SEA 2011 to return to Bangkok

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH – Germany Website : www.metallurgy-india.com Website : www.wire-india.com Website : www.messe-duesseldorf.com Messe Essen – Germany Website : www.schweissen-schneiden-india.com

Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd – Singapore Fax : +65 65 6332 9655 Email : wire@mda.com.sg Website : www.wire-southeastasia.com

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporate news

Based in Sheffield, UK, the UK Spring Manufacturers’ Association (UKSMA) is a specialist business support organisation for spring makers. From within its membership the organisation has recently elected a new president, Mr Steve Boyd of G&O Springs, and a vice-president, Mr John Clifford of Clifford Spring Company, to continue the work of actively promoting the UK spring industry and encouraging business development. In line with some recent changes within the organisation, the UKSMA has re-launched its website with a new look, described as providing a “more streamlined interface between customer and supplier”. Full details of member companies, their product range and capabilities, together with details of membership, can be found there. UK Spring Manufacturers Association – UK Fax : +44 114 252 7997 Email : uksma@uksma.org.uk Website : www.uksma.org.uk The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification scheme is the world’s largest forest certification organisation. It promotes sustainable forest management – environmentally, socially beneficial and economically viable – through independent third-party forest certification. Products carrying the PEFC logo indicate that the wood-based raw material comes from sustainably managed forests. Nexans – France Fax : +33 15669 8484 Email : nexans.web@nexans.com Website : www.nexans.com Season of change for springs Nexans is confirming its commitment to sustainable development by implementing a ‘green drum’ programme. In this initiative, Nexans is working with its wooden cable drum suppliers to become the world’s first cable manufacturer to upgrade to drums holding the PEFC TM (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) certification. Nexans has a total population of some 350,000 wooden cable drums in circulation at any one time within the European Union region alone. The drums are designed to be re-used a number of times and, according to their age and condition, be replaced each year. For all replacements from 2010 onwards, Nexans is deploying only green drums, produced with PEFC certified wood and carrying the distinctive PEFC logo. The programme relies on the availability of certified wood, and this is why its initial focus is on Europe. Rolling out a green drum programme The International Authentication Association (IAA) is urging cable manufacturers to invest even more in anti-counterfeiting strategies and technologies, and not reduce their efforts in an attempt to save costs during the current tough trading conditions. The chairman of the IAA was commenting on the British Cables Association initiative to tackle the problem of counterfeit cables. The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) aims to address the issue of unsafe, non-approved and counterfeit cables from the UK market. It has the backing of various industry bodies including the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), the Electrical Distributors Association (EDA), Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), Electrical Safety Council and the NICEIC Group. The IAA believes that too many dangerous cables are entering the UK via organised importers who are not complying with their legal duties under UK regulations. The UK market for electrical cables and systems has an approximate value of £2bn. It is estimated that up to 20% of cable products in the cable systems supply chain are unsafe, non-approved or fake. International Authentication Association (IAA) – UK Investment urged to tackle counterfeit cables

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EuroWire – November 2010

corporatenews

Emirates Steel recruits graduates for operational positions

An article appearing on the AME Info news website reports that Emirates Steel has recruited 15 new graduates from the Vocational Education Development Centre (VEDC) for operational positions at its Mussafah plant. VEDC, a leading provider of integrated curricula for academic and vocational studies in Abu Dhabi and a special project under the umbrella of the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT), signed a memorandum of understanding with Emirates Steel in May 2010 establishing a clear framework for a strategic partnership to provide career opportunities for UAE national students pursuing their studies at the centre. The new national employees, who started working at Emirates Steel’s industrial facilities at the beginning of August, have already completed a Work Placement Program (WPP) at the company as part of their studies. With these 15 nationals added to the workforce Emirates Steel is now one step closer to achieving its target of nationalising nearly 30% of its workforce by the end of 2010. At present, 28% are nationals and this figure is expected to go up to 50% by the end of 2013. According to GHC’s director general, HE Suhail M Al Ameri, Emirates Steel is committed to develop and strengthen the Emirati workforce and to realise Vision 2030’s ambitious Emiratization strategy.

“Today, we are taking major strides in that direction. Our strategy is to empower the future generations of UAE nationals with the ability to develop their industrial expertise,” he said. Emirates Steel Industries – United Arab Emirates Website : www.esi-steel.com The new graduates with Emirates Steel’s VP of administration support, ▲ ▲ Mr Mahmood Al Hameli

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EuroWire – November 2010

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new, young faces trying to soak it all in and take away the best ideas to further their respective companies. I rate the show a huge success.” Visitors gave “very good” to “good” ratings for the events. Five trade fair days saw a total of 69,200 trade visitors come to the exhibitionhalls.Theproportionof international trade fairvisitors is traditionally high.wirewas attended by 35,000 trade visitors from70countries,63%ofwhichwere fromabroad. Themajority of wire visitors came from the United Kingdom, France, USA, Italy, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Austria,Switzerland,BelgiumandPoland.

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EuroWire– July2010

Feature

Spools, reels & pre-packaging systems N o one with responsibility for handling wire and cable will underestimate the importance of the equipment under review here. An expertly executed spooling, reeling or other packaging operation does notmerely complement a awless production run, it is an essential element of the deliverysystem thatultimately results inasatis edcustomer. Whatmightbeunderestimated is thenumberandvarietyofdesignsnecessary if the right spoolor reel is tobe selectedandemployed,every time.Should itbeofwood,metal,plasticor composite?Which isbest foraccurate winding fromhigh-speedmachinery?Forusewitha coilhandler?A strander?For tyre cord;hosewire;annealed product? For ne wire; welding wire; bare wire; ground wire? Should it be rigid or collapsible? Reusable or returnable? Isacorrugatedspooldesignworth themoney? Acasualoruninformedchoicecanbedamaging–notonly to thewireandcablebeing readied for transport,but also to a company’s bottom line.The products and services appearing in this section are intended to aidwise decision-making.

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EuroWire–May2010

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From the results of a member survey by the Washington-based trade group, that is nearly asmuch as the amount of wind capacity that was actually built in the same year. Eliminating turbine clutter on radar is challenging. Ms Broydo ❈ Vestel observed that many radar systems in use in the United States date back to the 1950s and have outmoded processing capabilities – “in some cases, less than those of a modern laptop computer.” She wrote, “While there are technology xes to ease interference on these aging systems, it can be tricky to lter out just the turbines.” Gary Seifert characterises the radar-wind energy clash as “the train wreck of the 2000s.” The researcher with the Idaho National Laboratory, an Energy Department facility, told the Times , “The train wreck is the competing resources for two needs: energy security and national security.” Canada is quietly carving out a speciality in the use of industrial robots for the inspection of overhead high-voltage transmission lines, an operation ordinarily (and expensively) performed from a helicopter, through binoculars. Canadian utilities are experimenting with line-crawling robots to monitor aging 1970s-era transmission infrastructure for wear and tear and other hazardous conditions. (Let it be remembered that an overhanging tree branch triggered the massive Northeast Blackout of 2003.) An article in the Toronto Star reported on the midsummer inspection of transmission lines crossing the St Lawrence River. “Each 735-kilovolt line carries a powerful punch,” wrote Tyler Hamilton. “So getting close enough to these live wires can be tricky – and potentially deadly if mistakes are made.” But not for the two robots engaged in the inspection project overseen by Hydro-Québec, a provincial utility and one of the biggest electricity producers in North America. A typical stint for the robots, on the job for two weeks to that point, was ve to sixhours aday, duringwhicheachof them inspectedsix kilometres of line. (“A High-Wire Act for Robots,” 1 st August) The battery-powered LineScout – in use by developer Hydro- Québec since 2006 and by BC Hydro [an electric utility in the province of British Columbia] since 2008 – overcame the inability of an earlier model to move past transmission towers and hop onto and o di erent lines. It is waterproof, equipped with four cameras, packed with sensors that can detect such problems as corrosion, and capable of working in extreme temperatures. As described by Mr Hamilton, it hangs from the line “like a mechanical sloth on roller skates.” Serge Montambault, a manager of the St Lawrence crossings project, told the Star that inspection used to require that “hot” transmission lines be de-energised – disconnected temporarily from the grid. But rising demand for electricity argues against taking lines out of service. Now, he said, “They can send the robot to do the live-line inspection, bring back high-quality images and data, then let an engineer on the ground decide if repairs are necessary.” Canadian advances in mobile robotics enable safer and more economical inspection of overhead power lines

Energy

Air power meets wind power – and a formerly blameless green-energy technology comes under suspicion

Scepticism of e orts to generate electricity from wind power tends to centre on unreliability (when the wind dies down, so does the windmill) and unsightliness: no vista, onshore or o , is enhanced by a“wind farm”of steel turbines with vanes as tall as 400 feet. No one has been heard to impugn the virtue of a non- polluting technology which seeks to reap value from a renewable source free to all. The United States Air Force asserts that moving wind turbine blades can mimic airplanes on many radar systems and even cause planes to disappear from radar screens altogether; also that clusters of turbines can create false storm activity on weather radar, making it harder for air tra c controllers to give accurate weather information to pilots. Accordingly, the Air Force has declared wind turbines a danger to its operations and called for the removal of thousands of them now standing in the Tehachapi Mountains that skirt the Mojave Desert in southern California. Writing from Barstow, California, in the New York Times , Leora Broydo Vestel pointed out that this indictment of wind turbines has important support in Washington. In March, Dr Dorothy Robyn, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment), told a congressional subcommittee that the turbines pose an unacceptable risk to training, testing and national security in certain regions. While the military has not ascribed any serious incidents to this cause, the Defense Department has emerged as a strong opponent of wind projects. This stance puts Defense in direct opposition to another branch of the federal government, the Energy Department, which is spending billions on wind projects as part of President Barack Obama’s e ort to promote renewable energy. Collisions between military and industry have occurred elsewhere in the country but appear to be most frequent in California and Nevada. There, as noted by the Times , the Air Force, Army and Navy control 20,000 square miles of airspace and associated land used for bomb tests; low-altitude, high-speed air manoeuvres; and radar testing and development. The impact of wind turbines on radar, which the Times said “had been a back-burner concern for years,” is now very much to the forefront for rms in the Mojave area thwarted by opposition from the military to wind-powered electrical generators. Ms Broydo Vestel wrote, “Horizon Wind Energy recently withdrew three project applications. AES Wind Generation said it found out in May, after nine years of planning, that the military had objections to its proposal to build an 82.5-megawatt, 33-turbine wind farm.” (“Wind Turbine Projects Run Into Resistance,” 26 th August). According to the AmericanWind Energy Association, in 2009 about 9,000 megawatts of proposed wind projects were abandoned or delayed because of radar concerns raised by the military and the Federal Aviation Administration. Until now, that is.

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EuroWire – November 2010

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increase broadband usage among the Native American tribes in San Diego County. (“US Puts $1.8 Billion Into Broadband Projects,” 19 th August) The projects receive the funds under a programme jointly administered by the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture. By some estimates, as many as 34% of Americans – especially in remote areas of the country – do not have broadband Internet access. The public safety grants are aimed at improving response times and inter-agency communication in emergencies. That push derives from such experiences as 9/11, when police and re ghters in New York City found themselves out of touch with one another in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. In announcing the broadband awards, Vice President Joe Biden emphasised the Obama administration’s dedication to “bringing twenty- rst century infrastructure to underserved communities and rural areas.” But he also cited the commercial potential of the awards. “[This] investment in broadband technology will create jobs across the country and expand opportunities for millions of Americans andAmericancompanies,”Mr Bidensaid ina statement. “The awards are another great example of how the Recovery Act is creating jobs upfront, while also building a foundation for sustainable job creation and global competitiveness.” Now that Telefónica of Spain has won full control of the ❈ mobile phone joint venture it had with Portugal Telecom in Brazil, a long tussle comes to an end between two operators increasingly reliant on earnings from the fast-growing Brazilian mobile phone market to o set sluggish sales at home. The deal, worth about $9.75 billion, was announced 28 th July. Brazilian mobile phone subscriptions rose to 187 million in July, up 1% from June, according to gures released by the telecom regulator Anatel. The Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Negócios reported on its website that Portugal Telecom planned to use part of the proceeds from the sale of Vivo to buy a stake in another Brazilian phone operator. If completed, such a deal would allow Portugal Telecom to maintain a Brazilian presence in Brazil. Elsewhere in telecom . . .

As if this were not remarkable enough, Hydro-Québec is ❈ looking beyond it to robots that not only inspect but also repair faulty transmission lines.“That would be the beginning of what we call intervention or manipulation tasks,” Mr Montambault said. “It’s a challenge, because the robot has to be stable, precise, and have enough dexterity.”But here, he told the Star ’s Mr Hamilton, is an area in which their countrymen can shine. He said,“Canada is truly a leader in this.” Andrew Phillips, a scientist at the Electric Power Research ❈ Institute (Palo Alto, California) pointed out that robot line inspectors can also help bridge the coming skills gap in the industry. The average age of power transmission workers in Canada and America is 48, and many of the most skilled linemen are nearing retirement. Mr Phillips told the Star , “We just don’t have those people any more.” With thousands of federally nanced stimulus projects already under way across the US, broadband comes in for some funding The “economic stimulus” – o cially, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – allotted $787 billion to create jobs and promote investment, on the Keynesian principle that government spending must take up the slack in consumer spending during a recession. Now Washington is coming through with $1.8 billion in Recovery Act money for broadband access and adoption. Focused mainly on rural telecommunications, 94 contracts have been awarded to projects in 37 states. The amounts range from the hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. Jesse Emspak noted in International Business Times that Motorola got $50.6 million to set up a public safety wireless broadband network in the San Francisco area. But some smaller companies were among the recipients. Zerodivide, a California service provider, got $686,000 to Telecom

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EuroWire – November 2010