Interwire returns to Atlanta with a new “conference within conference”

Interwire—the Americas’ wire and cable industry fair—returns to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2017 along with the Wire Association International’s (WAI’s) 87th Annual Convention. New this year will be WAI’s first Global Ferrous Rod & Wire Symposium (GFRWS), which includes cross-registration with the full Interwire program and time built into the schedule to visit the exhibit hall. The overall fair schedule comprises three main segments, all held at the Georgia World Congress Center.

The exposition: May 9-11
Interwire represents decades of wire and cable making advancements. It is supported by a global community of exhibiting companies that showcase their wire and cable products, machinery, ancillary equipment, and services. In 2017, 55 companies will be first-time participants at the exposition. The full exposition will include nearly 400 exhibiting companies representing 22 countries.

Exhibits are open May 9 & 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and May 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The ferrous symposium: May 8-10
This first-time, “conference within a conference” is a discrete program focusing exclusively on topics of interest to the ferrous industry. The GFRWS schedule runs concurrently with Interwire like a dedicated program track. Technical presentation categories include rod mill equipment for quality rod; rod mill processes and procedures for quality rod; coil quality for the wire mill; wire rod inspection and testing; and sustainability and eco-solutions.

GFRWS sponsors:
Steel Level: Primetals Technologies | SMS Meer
Gold Level: Cascade Steel Rolling Mills Inc. | Danieli | Leggett & Platt Inc. | Nexans
Silver Level: Bekaert | Carris Reels Inc. | General Cable Corp. | Mikrotek Machines Ltd.

The WAI 87th Annual Convention: May 8-11
The main Interwire conference program is focused on the nonferrous and electrical sectors, featuring more than a dozen technical and practical presentations on nonferrous and general topics.

A highlight of the Interwire program is a session examining Industry 4.0, which includes a panel discussion as well as separate, related presentations. The panel includes three suppliers of Industry 4.0 solutions plus a fourth specialist in the field. The companies represented in this group are Cimteq, InnoVites, Oden Technologies, and Wonderware. The group aims to take some of the mystery out of Industry 4.0 and show how it can provide value at the shop-floor level.
The conference is also designed to give attendees greater access to accomplished experts. It includes short workshops and some additional one-on-one time to get specific questions and challenges addressed.
Familiar elements returning to Interwire include the one-day Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course. The course features 12 topics separated into ferrous and nonferrous tracks. The Production Solutions on-floor demonstrations return for practical information on getting the most out of various products and processed. The program also includes the return of the Manufacturing Management Workshop which debuted at Interwire 2015. This workshop provides tailored management instruction for operations managers and supervisors to pick up where on-the-job training leaves off.

Developing highlights include a Southwire plant tour, as well as the popular Welcome Reception. The convention will also feature awards presentations; a membership breakfast; keynote speaker Rick Smith, a 3D printing expert; ample time for face-to-face meetings with suppliers, industry experts, and colleagues; and Association leadership meetings.

To date, Interwire 2017 sponsors include:
Platinum level: Encore Wire Corp.
Gold level: Nexans | RichardsApex Inc.
Silver level: Carris Reels Inc. | The MGS Group | Sikora International Corp.
Bronze level: Frigeco USA Inc. | MFL Group| NDC Technologies | Lloyd & Bouvier Inc. |
T & T Marketing | Zumbach Electronics Corp.
Supporting Sponsors: Baum’s Castorine | Precision Reel/Payoffs | Sark USA

Developing details will be posted at www.interwire17.com and in upcoming issues of Wire Journal International magazine. Speaking, exhibiting, and sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting WAI at (001) 203-453-2777.

The organizer
The Wire Association International, Inc., founded in 1930, is a worldwide technical society for wire and cable industry professionals dedicated to the promotion, collection, and dissemination of technical, manufacturing, and general business information and trends in the industry. Throughout the year WAI organizes events such as Interwire and the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo trade shows, technical workshops and symposiums, the online Industry Search, and annual International Technical Conference. Its publications and technical products include Wire Journal International (WJI) and the annual WJI Reference Guide, the HardWIRED e-newsletter and website, as well as a host of technical handbooks, webinars, and DVDs.
www.interwire17.com