wire Dusseldorf Update - Feature Sample

Düsseldorf update

Wire Expo

extended prequel

+ Wirenet re-launch

+ 2027 Interwire points meeting March 26

+ Testing & Measuring feature Register now!

An early look at WIRE EXPO

A key host city and a smart co-location bolster Wire Expo 2026

Wire Expo 2026 was always going to be big, but the return to Milwaukee raises the bar. It’s been 16 years since WAI’s traveling event was held in Wisconsin. It returns to the state’s largest city for two concentrated days of technology, training, and deal-making on May 6–7, preceded on May 5 by WAI’s iconic Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course. This year’s edition brings together a broader mix of equipment, services, and talent, building on the momentum of recent shows while adding a new city, new partners, and new possibilities.

The result is a program that feels less like a routine calendar stop and more like a full-scale industry meetup in a city built on manufacturing. Here’s why. Wire Expo will share the recently expanded Baird Center with the Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE), turning downtown Milwaukee into a single destination for wire and cable professionals. The two events will run side by side under one roof, with aligned schedules and easy crossover between show floors. Attendees will be able to move seamlessly from wire and cable production to wire harness and electrical processing technologies, connecting with new suppliers, new technologies and new prospects.

On the exhibits front, the momentum is clear. WAI Director of Sales Shannon Timme expects to see some 200 companies represented on the show floor. That includes a number of first-time exhibitors bringing fresh solutions and perspectives. As of press time, some booths were still available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Programming begins on Tuesday, May 5, when WAI presents its day-long Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course at the Milwaukee Hyatt Regency, the host hotel.

That signature course continues to give new and emerging talent a practical grounding in core processes and terminology. The focus then shifts to the Baird Center, which will host the technical

program and the combined trade shows. Over the following two days, attendees can expect more than two dozen presentations, two keynote addresses, a plant tour, and WAI’s recognition of four industry veterans with association awards. The agenda is designed to balance learning, networking, and celebration of achievement.

The show floor will be open on Wednesday, May 6, from 9 am to 5 pm. That first full day concludes with the Opening Reception (6:30–8:30 pm, 4th Floor Ballroom Terrace), featuring refreshments, time to deepen business conversations, and a skyline view that underscores why Milwaukee is increasingly on the radar for national events. The second day offers another full slate of exhibits and sessions, giving visitors ample time to work the floor, attend targeted presentations, and explore the co-located EWPTE offerings.

Wire Expo may need no introduction for much of the industry, but Milwaukee may feel like new territory—and that is part of its appeal. Still anchored in its manufacturing and brewing heritage, the city has evolved into a walkable, convention-friendly destination. Attendees can step out of the Baird Center and be close to lakefront trails, the three-mile RiverWalk and a dense cluster of downtown restaurants and breweries, all without needing a car.

So it can be education and business by day, and lakefront walks, brewery stops and big-city dining and entertainment by night. The pages that follow dive into the educational program in detail, but the bigger picture is that the pieces are in place for Wire Expo 2026 to deliver a high-energy, high-value experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.

Event Highlights

TUESDAY KEYNOTE ADDRESS

John W. Mellowes, CEO & owner, Charter Manufacturing

Mellowes is the winner of the 2026 WAI Champion Award that honors an individual for recognition of his leadership and his company’s sustained support of the Wire Association International and its educational mission. He served as CEO of Mequon, Wisconsin-based Charter Manufacturing since 2013. A fourth-generation family owner, he follows his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Alfred Mellowes, who founded the company in 1936. He holds a B.S. degree from Princeton University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

EXHIBITS

More than a hundred booths have been taken by suppliers that will be ready to share their latest solutions. If you have a project or want to consider alternatives, this is the place to flush out possibilities. This is the time for thoughtful conversations with companies that are well known as well as some that are new to the event. The April preshow issue will include profiles of some firsttime Wire Expo exhibitors.

MORDICA LECTURE

Kiran Manchiraju

The Mordica Lecture by Kiran Manchiraju, vice president of research for Southwire Company, promises to be a memorable presentation as his career has exemplified the furthering of transformative technologies that support both manufacturing performance and environmental goals.

WEDNESDAY KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Dr. John Sviokla, recognized authority on AI and digital transformation

An Executive Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where he earned his doctorate and MBA, Dr. John Sviokla generated some of the earliest thought-leadership on the coming world of AI and digital competition. A co-founder of GHI Insights, he has since guided senior executives through the full lifecycle of technology-led change. At Wire Expo 2026, he will explain why every organization must move from human centric to a hybrid of human and AI intelligence and how to do it.

WELCOME RECEPTION

No car needed for this Welcome Reception!

The WAI will hold its Welcome Reception at the 4th Floor Ballroom Terrace from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Baird Center. Anyone familiar with the event can expect that it will be as memorable as ever. After all, the recipe is well known: provide a location that has elbow space, make sure it is well provisioned and add hundreds and hundreds of attendees. The rest seems to fall nicely into place, as it did in 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

The Best of ... AESA Switzerland

The Best of... TESTING + MEASURING

Contact: Dennis Milz, senior area sales manager, pictured

Tel: +41-32-843-03-95

dmilz@aesa-cortaillod.com www.aesa-cortaillod.com

This section asks OEMs to explain why what they have to offer for customers is “the best of.” That claim could be for a testing and measuring system that either offers the latest, greatest technology or impressive flexibility in use, but part of the equation can also be what else a company has to offer customers. What makes it a good potential partner. Also, some companies present more technical details in entries in the Products section. entries

AESA Cortaillod is a leading Swiss manufacturer of test equipment and global reference in cable metrology. For decades, AESA Cortaillod has delivered state-of-the-art measurement systems and high- performance quality services to its customers worldwide.

AESA specializes in Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) designed to precisely characterize the electrical parameters of communication cables and wires. Its product portfolio includes both balun and balunless solutions, enabling highly accurate testing of LAN and other communication cables across frequencies ranging from low to very high. The product line supports all major cable types, including data, railway, industrial, coaxial, and Single Pair Ethernet thanks to its dedicated, innovative connection technologies.

Beyond frequency testing, AESA offers a comprehensive set of linear resistance measurement equipment suitable for energy cables with cross-sections ranging from extremely small to very large. These systems are designed for both laboratory environment and direct integration into production lines. They are considered as key assets for cable manufacturers, assisting to optimize production costs, reduce material waste, accelerate profitability, and improve sustainability. With copper and aluminum prices having doubled since 2020, precise measurement has become increasingly vital. AESA’s ResTest devices enable an approximately 1% reduction in raw material usage, translating into several tons of material saving per year through highly accurate resistance measurement.

Visit us at wire Düsseldorf at Hall 10 A-38.

The Best of ... CERSA-MCI France

Contact: Sales

Tel. +33(0)44202-0867/+33(0)699-87-95-11

sales@cersa-mci.com

www.cersa-mci.com 10 C-31

CERSA-MCI offers a proven solution with a new generation technology for high-precision quality control: the DLN10 diameter and geometry measurement system and the SQM-F surface inspection system.

The DLN10 is a non-contact optical gauge designed for diameter measurement and geometry defect detection of wire and cable from 0.3 mm to 10 mm. Based on simultaneous multi-axis optical measurement (3 axes at 120°), the system ensures full product coverage and accurate characterization of the product geometry directly on the production line.

With an acquisition rate of up to 750,000 measurement values per second across three independent axes, DLN10 allows precise monitoring of diameter, ovality, concentricity and the detection of localized defects such as lumps and neckdowns, even at very high line speeds. The measurement principle is vibration-tolerant and position-independent, eliminating the need for mechanical scanning or signal averaging and ensuring reliable, repeatable results under real industrial conditions.

High measurement frequency is essential to capture fast process variations. DLN10 makes it possible to detect short-length diameter deviations that conventional gauges may miss, enabling immediate reaction to process drifts. This contributes directly to improved process stability, reduced scrap, and tighter tolerance control.

The SQM-F system provides continuous 360° inspection of metallic wires. Using patented optical technology, it detects scratches, pits, blisters, plating defects and irregularities over a wide diameter range (20 µm to 2 mm). With acquisition speeds up to 200,000 lines per second, SQM-F ensures reliable quality monitoring at high production speeds. Visit us at wire Düsseldorf at Hall 10 C-31.

The Best of ... Clinton Instrument USA

Contact: Kristy Langley, president

Tel: 860-669-7548

support@clintoninstrument.com www.clintoninstrument.com

The Clinton Instrument Company (CIC) was founded in 1952 by Henry H. Clinton, inventor of the patented 3 kHz high-frequency sine wave design that radically modernized test methods for wire and cable insulation. Today, we are an engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in high-voltage quality control equipment primarily used in the wire and cable and plastic products industries. We also partner with sales and service representatives across the country, so regardless of where you are located, we can work with you.

Our services include: spark testing, pinhole detection, dielectric testing, leak testing, high-voltage testing, high frequency sine wave testing, cable fault location and high-speed leak detection. A pioneer in pinhole detection technology, CIC remains at the forefront of R&D in this specialized area as its 71 years of experience have yielded numerous patented designs for specific pinhole detection requirements.

We help customers develop tests quickly and cost-effectively where other vendors cannot. Given our experience, we have likely tested the product before, or something very similar, so we aren’t learning on the job. Our size also allows us to customize and configure systems to address the changing needs of an active market.

Located in Clinton, Connecticut, where we proudly design and manufacture our products, our experienced staff is nimble enough to provide incredible customer service while our breadth of knowledge in high-voltage pinhole detection is unsurpassed. With nearly 70 years of expertise and a library of engineering solutions, we understand the requirements of high-voltage testing and can handle the most challenging applications.Visit us at wire Düsseldorf at Hall 9 E-38.

March Düsseldorf update

The opening of wire Düsseldorf 2026 is getting closer, and all systems seem to be in a strong go-mode for the presentation of the latest technology on April 15-19 at the Fairgrounds. The combined wire and Tube events are expected to field more than 2,700 exhibitors. Below are traditional booth listings. For the latest wire and cable information, go to www.wire.de.

ACIMAF, Italian Wire Machinery Manufacturers’ Association

Italy Hall 11 B-51

ACIMAF, based in Brescia, Italy, was founded in 1987 to promote the image of Italian technology for the wire and cable manufacturing industry. It serves an important role in coordinating and improving the presence of its member companies in major industry trade shows. ACIMAF collaborates with the Italian Trade Agency in promoting and marketing activities on behalf of its members seeking to either enter and/or expand in foreign markets. acimaf.com.

ACM MT

Sweden

Hall 9 E-40

ACM MT’s insulation measurement system, represented in North America by HOWAR Equipment, is designed to reduce insulation compound usage and cost by tightly controlling wall thickness. The company’s cable cross-section measurement and data acquisition equipment provides extremely fast, precise two-dimensional cable measurements,

with insulated wafers measured in just a few seconds at very high accuracy. The KSM model includes a sophisticated database with graphing and trending capabilities that support ongoing process analysis and quality optimization. Visitors are encouraged to bring samples to the booth to experience this innovative measurement system in operation. acmmt.com.

ADVARIS Informationssysteme GmbH

Germany Hall 9 B-54

Smart Factory Software for your Industry: cable design, production scheduling, manufacturing execution, quality control, warehouse management, plant maintenance. advaris.de.

AESA Cortaillod See p. 70

Switzerland Hall 10 A-38

AESA Cortaillod is a global reference in cable metrology and advanced test equipment. For decades, we have empowered cable manufacturers worldwide with state-of-the-art Swiss-made measurement systems that deliver exceptional precision, reliability, and measurable cost

savings. From low- to high-frequency communication cable testing to ultra-accurate online and offline resistance measurement for energy cables of any type or size, our automatic test equipment and innovative connection technologies deliver exceptional performance across a wide spectrum of applications, including renewable energy, construction, automotive, railway, marine, aerospace, and many more. AESA’s fully integrated, customer-specific solutions help manufacturers optimize production processes, reduce raw-material waste, and enhance sustainability, transforming measurement accuracy into a tangible competitive advantage. Beyond equipment, AESA provides ISO-certified laboratory services, intelligent data management, exclusive customer services, and deep industry expertise, supporting our customers in boosting yield, profitability, and long-term competitiveness. aesa-cortaillod.com.

AIM See p. 95 USA Hall 11 A-21

AIM will present its new 8- and 10-mm-capacity CNC wire benders. They have been redesigned for value and speed, built for robustness, with an infinite arm rotation, all at a very attractive price. AIM’s U.S.-made proven model has served the industry for more than 20 years. Standard features include DXF, LRA and XYZ import, animated bending simulation with collision detection, Auto Pilot speed/load monitoring, touch screen monitors, Microsoft Windows®, 5 HP wire payoff, “Dial-A-Service” for remote support via the Internet, and a maintenance module that reminds users of all needed work for zero downtime. Options include automatic bend setup with our AccuCal, easy production statistics with AccuTrack, 24/7 online AIM Academy training, FARO, ROMER, and AICON CMMs, communication for automatic

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

UPCAST Oy Hall 9 C-06

Stop by our booth if you work with copper rod production and value high rod quality, low downtime, and efficient operation. Explore UPCAST® upward continuous casting solutions designed for reliable, continuous production, configured to match your capacity needs. UPCAST produced rod is ideal for all electrical applications and has become the preferred feedstock for processes where ductility and surface quality are critical. It is especially well-suited for fine and multi-wire drawing, where high ductility is essential, and for enamel wire production, where an exceptionally smooth surface finish is required. Bring your questions and talk with our team about how you can benefit from the original UPCAST® continuous casting technology. upcast.com.

programmer corrections, integration with robots, and import of STEP and IGES files. Wire can be fed directly from a coil, straightened, bent and cut using a software package that provides flexibility and simplicity in programming, offered in all universal languages. aimmachines.com.

ALECOSA Aleados del Cobre SA Valls

Spain Hall 9 B-49

As exclusive specialists in the manufacture of binary copper and zinc alloys, we offer our clients the widest range of alloys on the market. alecosa.es.

Alloy Wire International

U.K. Hall 11 E-26

Alloy Wire International (AWI), a leading U.K. manufacturer of round, flat and profile wire, will display its range of exotic alloys. It operates from two stateof-the-art factories which, with continual investment in the latest technology and machinery, produce precision wire sizes from 0.025 mm to 21 mm in small batches and medium volumes. alloywire.com.

Altec Srl

Italy Hall 11 A-42

The creation of Altec was inspired by the collaboration with one of the largest cable manufacturers in the world. Originally tasked with setting up the new lines and providing long-term maintenance and servicing of the company’s machinery, Altec personnel have gained unparalleled experience over several years working in a highly demanding industrial environment. Altec is able to offer a range of new construction equip-

ment, all incorporating the clever devices suggested by their exceptional practical experience in robust, powerful and highly reliable designs. Altec also offers both technological advice (including knowhow advice and project planning) and the preparation and updating of existing machines (including updated drivers, electronic controls, safety devices and technological improvements). altecsrl.com.

AMBA (Aachener Maschinenbau GmbH)

Germany Hall 16 H-55

AMBA builds specialized machines for the production of screws ranging from 60 to 2500 mm in length, as well as tubes and spokes with varying cross-sections along their length. Our core competence is the cold forming of metal. amba.de.

ATE Applicazioni Termo

Elettroniche Srl

Italy Hall 11 B-76

ATE designs and builds equipment and plants for induction heating, complete with the related automation, control and supervision systems. Its most important sectors of activity include industrial applications that involve the hot working of wires, bars, tubes and strips. The company has supplied/installed hundreds of induction heating systems and plants, with unit powers from a few KW up to 4 MW. ate.it.

ATR Srl

Italy Hall 12 C-31

ATR Srl produces round, 6-kt. and 4-kt. drawn rods and material in a ground version (such as h5, h6, h7, h8). The main types of stainless steels, carbon steels and free-cutting steels can be seen at our website. ATR also specializes in non-destructive testing. It is the first company in Italy to offer tested products using phased array technology. atrsteel.com.

August Strecker GmbH & Co. KG

Germany Hall 10 A-21

As an internationally active family business, Strecker has been working progressively and future-oriented with a high awareness of quality for over 90 years. Strecker offers complete solutions for individual manufacturing processes in welding technology. More than 20 different welding machines for a wide range of applications will be on display: electric butt welding machines for steel, copper, aluminum, and brass, for solid wires as well as strands and conductor cables. Also, fully hydraulic welders with auto-

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