Norwegian aluminum producer Nork Hydro ASA (Hydro) announced that it plans to invest approximately $156 million in a new facility at its aluminum smelter in Karmoy, Norway, to supply aluminum wire for power cables in Europe.

A wire story said that the new wire rod casthouse in Karmoy will have capacity of 110,000 tons per year. “By expanding the capacity to deliver low-carbon aluminum from Norway to the EU, we help ensure that the infrastructure, the very backbone of the future energy system, supports both Europe’s security and climate policy goals,” said Hydro CEO Eivind Kallevik.

The project, scheduled for the first quarter of 2028 , is Hydro’s largest investment in Norway in 10 years. Per the company’s website, Hydro has 32,000 employees operations in some 50 countries and accounts for 40% of the aluminum produced in Europe.

ABB Installation Products has opened a new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to serve what it called the surging demand for grid reliability solutions across the United States, only this one is not making wire and cable. It’s for related elements.

A press release said that the $40 million greenfield

facility that spans 90,000 sq f will produce ABB’s Elastimold cable accessories and Fisher Pierce circuit indicators. Those core components are used in undergrounding, fire mitigation and grid hardening projects.

“This expansion allows us to respond faster to the needs of utilities working to modernize infrastructure and meet surging demand,” said Khalid Mandri, President of ABB Installation Products. “It reflects our continued investment in U.S. manufacturing and our longstanding commitment to supporting electric providers nationwide.”

Located on ABB’s 40-acre Albuquerque campus, the new South Building doubles on-site production capacity and incorporates advanced robotics, automated systems, and digital testing technologies. It is expected to create more than 150 new full-time jobs, increasing total campus employment to over 565 — with further hiring underway.

Yangtze Optics Africa Cable (Pty) Ltd (YOA Cable) reports that it has solidified its position as the largest optical fiber manufacturer in Africa by a significant expansion investment of its manufacturing facility at the Dube Trade Port in KwaZulu-Natal, a coastal South African province.

A press release said that, working with other strategic partners, YOA Cable can now supply locally produced polyethylene product used in the manufacturing of optical fiber cable in South Africa, the first such local delivery in more than 20 years. The growth initiative will enable YOA Cable to tap into new opportunities beyond South Africa, including neighboring countries where it has previously seen success, and further enhance efforts to contribute towards the country’s skills development efforts in this highly specialized sector. 

Southwire held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9 to celebrate the opening at the company’s new facility in Youngsville, North Carolina.

A press release said that members of the Southwire and Youngsville communities, including county leaders, Southwire customers and Southwire team members and executives, attended the ceremony held at the new facility. “We are thrilled to open this new, expanded facility, and it was an honor to celebrate with the Youngsville team as we officially cut the ribbon,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “As North America continues to electrify, the work that is happening in Youngsville directly connects to our ability to provide world class solutions and service to our markets and customers. This plant is a strong reflection of our dedication to innovation, to modernization and to our people.”

The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the updated and expanded home for the work previously conducted at Southwire’s former Youngsville location. The footprint of the new building covers three times the square footage of the former plant, opening the door for continued operational growth.

“We are so excited about the opportunities and resources this facility will provide for our team here in Youngsville,” said Louie Shar, site leader for Southwire’s Youngsville plant. “The enhancements our team members will see in their workspace will allow us to improve our efficiency and further excel in the service we provide to our customers as we continue to grow.”

The International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) reports that Jonas Borgolte of FUHR GmbH & Co. KG, is its 2025 Young Employee of the Year.

A press release said that Borgolte, who joined FUHR as a mechanical engineer in 2019, rose to head of design in just three years, driving significant improvements across the company. He spearheaded the standardization of machinery design that resulted in improved efficiency, cost reductions and enhanced quality throughout the organization. He introduced CIP management and fostered a culture of innovation and operational excellence.

The award, for employees of IWMA member companies under age 30, highlights the importance of nurturing young talent and recognizing those who excel in their roles. “With rising stars like Jonas and the other finalists leading the way, the future of wire and cable looks brighter than ever,” the release said.