The Wire Machinery Association (WMA) was founded as a not-for-profit association with an annual subscription fee of £100 per company.

The WMA organised the first international wire exhibition held in Basle, Switzerland that was subsequently held every even year until 1984.

The late John Hogg became Executive Secretary of the WMA and the first wire drawing conference was held at the University of Aston where the Technical Sub Committee was formed. This was also the year of the Inaugural Wire Industry Lunch Event.

The first annual members Dinner Dance was held in Stratford Upon Avon which is still going strong today!

Due to the growing international membership Wire Machinery Association changes its name to what it is today IWMA – International Wire & Machinery Association.

IWMA played a leading role in the creation of the exhibition and conference to be held in Southeast Asia – wire Asia in Singapore. This exhibition and conference later moved to Bangkok in 2007 and is still there today.

Due to the exhibition growing considerably in size and stature the IWMA was influential in liaising with Messe Dusseldorf to move away from Basal to create the industry’s most important event the International Wire and Cable Fair, now known as wire Düsseldorf.

The IWMA introduced the first edition of the wire and cable magazine – WCN. The WCN magazine is still keeping the international wire and cable industry informed on member company news as well as providing useful information on the IWMA and leading industry developments.

IWMA signs sponsorship agreement with Messe Düsseldorf (formally NOWEA) to become Industry Partners for the wire Düsseldorf exhibition.

The IWMA Education Trust Fund introduced its Travel Awardee programme. This programme now called the IWMA Education Award has provided hundreds of newcomers to the industry, over the last two decades, the opportunity to experience the world’s largest and most important exhibition – wire Düsseldorf – funded by the trust.

IWMA launches its first website – www.iwma.org

First wire Russia exhibition was held in Moscow sponsored by IWMA

First wire China exhibition was held in Shanghai sponsored by IWMA

IWMA launches a new logo, the WCN is available electronically for the first time & IWMA sponsors wire & cable India exhibition in Mumbai.

5th biennial technical conference co-organised IWMA and other leading associations is rebranded to CabWire and held in Düsseldorf.

IWMA launches new corporate branding. The inaugural wire South America exhibition in Sao Paulo, Brazil is supported by IWMA. 2nd edition of CabWire world technical conference is held in Milan making the 50th conference organised or co-organised by IWMA.

Introduced the Young Employee of the Year (YEY) Award at the IWMA Industry Lunch to recognise and celebrate emerging talent within the global wire and cable industry.

IWMA celebrates 50 years of being the leading support network for the global wire and cable industry launching a new brand and website to mark the occasion and lead us into the next exciting chapter of our history.

Rebranded Wire & Cable News (WCN) as IWMA Insider, creating a modern, member-focused publication with enhanced industry content, greater member visibility and a stronger reflection of IWMA’s global community.