Southwire Expands Medium and High Voltage Capacity

Southwire to increase medium- and high-voltage cable capacity Southwire Company, North America's largest wire and cable manufacturer, announced today plans to install additional extrusion capacity for the production of medium-and high-voltage, underground electrical cables at the company's manufacturing facility in Heflin, Ala. The move is in response to utility customers' long-term growth plans for medium-and high-voltage, insulated cables. The new production cell will allow Southwire to more effectively balance the demand for its line of high-voltage cables,, while improving service capability for both medium-and high-voltage underground products. "Growth in the underground, medium-voltage market continues to be fueled by a strong preference by consumers that utility lines be installed underground," said Eddie Adams, president of Southwire's Energy Division. "Additionally, we believe the annual growth rate of underground, high-voltage cables will continue to significantly exceed that of the overall energy cables segment. The additive effect of the medium-and high-voltage market expansions made adding capacity a necessity for us to continue to service our customers with the high level of satisfaction that they have come to expect from Southwire Company."

Plans call for the Heflin facility to install one CV line that will be operational in the first quarter of 2006. The full impact on staffing is yet to be determined, but according to plant Manager Emory Barber additional employees may be needed when the manufacturing cell is operational in 2006. "We are excited about the capabilities that the new line will give us as we remain committed to meeting the needs of our current customers," Barber said.