Industry Snapshot: Views from the IWMA Executive Management Committee

As the wire and cable industry continues to navigate rapid change, we asked members of the IWMA Executive Management Committee to share their views on the opportunities, challenges and trends shaping the sector. From electrification, AI and sustainability to skills shortages, supply chain pressures and global uncertainty, their answers offer a concise snapshot of where the industry is heading, and why there remains plenty of reason to be optimistic about its future.

Across the responses, several clear themes emerged. The greatest opportunities lie in electrification, infrastructure investment and long-term demand for wire and cable across energy, data, transport and industrial applications. The biggest pressures remain material supply, cost volatility, skills shortages and geopolitical uncertainty. India was highlighted as a key market to watch, while AI-powered automation, smart manufacturing, advanced materials and digitalisation were seen as technologies that will shape the next phase of industry development.

Sustainability was also a recurring theme, with members pointing to the growing importance of circular, low-carbon manufacturing and more resilient supply chains. For the next generation, digital and data literacy, adaptability and resilience will be essential. Above all, the committee’s outlook remained positive: despite global challenges, strong long-term demand drivers continue to place the wire and cable industry at the centre of future infrastructure, energy transition and connectivity.

Key takeaways

Opportunity: Electrification, energy transition and infrastructure investment

Challenge: Raw material volatility, skills shortages and global uncertainty

Market to watch: India and South East Asia

Key trend: Electrification, digitalisation and connected infrastructure

Sustainability impact: Low-carbon growth, renewable energy and more sustainable manufacturing

Game-changing technology: AI, automation, Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing

Essential skill: Digital literacy, adaptability, resilience and continuous learning

Reason for optimism: Wire and cable remain essential to future energy, infrastructure, transport and data needs

Biggest threat: Material shortages, cost volatility, geopolitical instability and war

Innovation focus: Smart manufacturing, advanced materials and customer-focused product development

Competitive advantage: Innovation, quality, technology, talent, customer relationships and agility

Value of collaboration: Faster innovation, stronger supply chains and shared problem-solving

 

Jonathan Horsfall – Managing Director – Webster & Horsfall

1. Biggest challenge facing the sector?

The biggest challenge facing the wire industry is maintaining international competitiveness whilst dealing with increasing cost pressures, supply chain complexity, and regulation. Policies intended to protect upstream industries can sometimes have unintended consequences for downstream manufacturers, particularly where specialist products are no longer available domestically. Remaining competitive whilst maintaining investment in people, equipment, and innovation will continue to be a major challenge.

 

2. Region or market to watch?

South East Asia continues to be a region to watch, particularly in medical products, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. More broadly, I think businesses should watch where manufacturing investment is going rather than simply where manufacturing exists today. We are increasingly seeing opportunities develop in areas that combine advanced manufacturing capability with growing domestic demand.

 

3. Reason to be optimistic about the future?

Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic because our industry is remarkably adaptable. Wire products remain fundamental to countless applications, from medical devices and energy infrastructure through to transportation and engineering. The businesses that embrace innovation, collaborate internationally, and remain technically focused will continue to find opportunities for growth.

 

Kamal Babu Batchu – Chairman and Managing Director, Mikrotek Machines

1. Biggest Opportunity for the Wire and Cable Industry?

The global wire and cable industry entered 2026 with solid fundamentals, supported by irreversible trends such as energy transition, electrification, and digital infrastructure expansion, with high-voltage power cables, optical fibre cables, and EV-related cables outperforming the industry average.

Beyond renewable energy projects, significant investments in grid modernisation, interconnectors, smart cities, and hyperscale data centres are creating sustained demand for advanced cable solutions. As nations strengthen energy security and accelerate decarbonization targets, the industry is positioned at the centre of critical infrastructure development. Companies that can deliver high-performance, sustainable, and technologically advanced cable systems will be best placed to capture long-term growth opportunities in both developed and emerging markets.

2. Technology That Will Change the Industry Most?

The wire and cable industry in 2025 is no longer a traditional sector. It is a technology-centric, performance-driven ecosystem supporting the future of energy, mobility, and connectivity. Industry 4.0 integration, from AI-driven quality control to IoT-enabled production lines, combined with XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene), HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current), and sensor-embedded cables, defines the technology frontier. By 2027, IoT-enabled cables are expected to reduce maintenance costs in automated plants by 25%, while Europe already leads with 52% of enterprises integrating Industry 4.0-ready cabling systems.

Equally important is the emergence of intelligent and connected cable networks capable of real-time performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, and enhanced operational reliability. Digital manufacturing technologies are enabling unprecedented levels of process optimisation, traceability, and quality assurance. These advancements are not only improving production efficiency but are also redefining customer expectations for cable performance, lifespan, and sustainability across wire and cable applications.

3. Biggest Challenge Facing the Sector?

Raw material volatility is the defining pressure. Copper prices have shown 30% annual fluctuations, with labour strikes, geopolitical tensions, and environmental regulations in mining regions leading to supply shortages and global copper inventories at multi-year lows. Layered on top are tightening environmental regulations, rising sustainability compliance costs, and intensifying global competition, all demanding simultaneous strategic responses.

The challenge extends beyond cost management to ensuring supply chain resilience and maintaining profitability in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Manufacturers must also navigate growing customer expectations for sustainable products, reduced carbon footprints, and greater transparency throughout the value chain. Success will depend on a balanced approach that combines operational efficiency, technological innovation, strategic sourcing, and long-term investment in sustainable manufacturing capabilities.

Willibert Dautzenberg – CEO – ACOTEQ

1. One skill the next generation will need?

One of the most important skill the next generation will need in the wire, cable and rope industry is adaptability.

As digitalisation, automation, and sustainability continue to transform the industry, professionals must be able to learn new technologies, embrace innovation, and respond quickly to changing customer and market demands.

Combining technical expertise with a willingness to continuously develop new skills will be essential for future success.

 

2. Reason to be optimistic about the future?

There are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of the wire, cable and rope industry.

The global transition to renewable energy, electrification, digital infrastructure, and smart technologies is driving strong demand for advanced cable solutions.

As industries and societies become increasingly connected, the wire and cable sector will continue to play a critical role in enabling innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.

3. Best way to stay competitive?

The best way to stay competitive in the wire, cable and rope industry is to continuously focus on innovation, quality, and customer needs.

Companies should invest in advanced manufacturing technologies, improve operational efficiency, and develop sustainable products that meet evolving market and regulatory requirements.

Building strong customer relationships, ensuring reliable delivery, and adapting quickly to industry trends are also key factors for maintaining a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing global market.

 

Steve Smith – Group Lead Laboratory Services & Metallurgy – Bekaert

1. Biggest challenge facing the sector?

Attracting young people into the steel wire industry is a significant challenge facing the sector. Wire manufacture is often perceived as a traditional, mature sector with limited innovation or career excitement compared to more visible, “high-tech” industries. The reality is very different – modern wire production involves advanced metallurgy, automation, and digital technologies – but this is not always well communicated. Combined with outdated perceptions of industry, concerns about working environments, and competition from sectors like tech and renewables, the industry struggles to present itself as a forward-looking, purpose-driven career choice. Bridging this perception gap is key to securing the next generation of talent.

 

2. Best way to stay competitive?

To remain competitive in the steel wire industry, companies must move beyond simply meeting specifications and instead develop a deep understanding of how their products perform in the customer’s application. This means getting closer to the customer – engaging directly with their challenges, operating environments, and performance expectations, whether in offshore lifting, mining, or infrastructure. By building strong technical relationships, gathering real-world feedback, and translating it into product and process improvements, manufacturers can deliver tailored solutions rather than commoditised products. In a mature industry, this customer-centric approach becomes a key differentiator, enabling faster innovation, stronger partnerships, and ultimately more resilient, value-driven business.

 

3. One skill the next generation will need?

In the steel wire industry, the most important skill for the next generation is not mastering a single discipline but developing the ability to learn and combine multiple skills. Modern wire production sits at the intersection of metallurgy, data analysis, automation, and customer application knowledge, meaning future engineers must be comfortable moving between these areas rather than specialising too narrowly. In a complex and evolving industry, those who can connect different skill sets and continuously learn will be far better equipped than those relying on one area of expertise alone.

 

Brian Cutts – Managing Director – TEMCO Wire Products

1. Key trend shaping the future?

The convergence of electrification and digitalisation. Energy systems, transportation, factories, and data networks are becoming more connected, intelligent, and power-intensive.

 

2. One skill the next generation will need?

Data and digital literacy. Future engineers and operators will need to understand automation systems, analytics, AI tools, and connected manufacturing environments.

 

3. Most important area for innovation?

Data and digital literacy. Future engineers and operators will need to understand automation systems, analytics, AI tools, and connected manufacturing environments.

 

Don Neville – Consultant – IWMA

1. Biggest opportunity for the industry?

The structured development and adoption of AI tools. Used properly, AI can support production efficiency, quality control, predictive maintenance and better decision-making. The opportunity is to apply it in a practical way that solves real industry challenges, rather than simply adopting technology for the sake of it.

 

2. Biggest challenge facing the sector?

The availability of skilled people. Many companies are finding it harder to recruit and retain talent, particularly in technical and engineering roles. The industry needs to do more to promote itself as an exciting long-term career choice and ensure knowledge is passed on to the next generation.

 

3. Reason to be optimistic about the future?

The world will always need wire, machinery and cables. From energy and infrastructure to transport, communications, data centres and renewables, our industry remains essential. The applications may evolve, but demand for reliable wire and cable solutions will continue.

 

Richard Johnstone – Managing Director – Pentre Group

1. Biggest opportunity for the industry at this present time?

At present, the industry is facing a number of significant cost and supply chain pressures, including pending steel quotas into the UK, rising freight costs from China and sharp increases in virgin plastic prices. These pressures create challenges, but also underline the importance of resilience, careful sourcing, operational efficiency and strong customer relationships.

 

2. One skill the next generation will need?

The next generation will need to be confident with computers, digital systems and AI. Just as importantly, the industry needs to do more to attract young people into a sector that can sometimes be perceived as traditional or even boring, despite being fundamental to how the modern world develops, operates and reduces its carbon footprint.

 

Q3. Best way to stay competitive?

Businesses will need to remain lean, use their time constructively and develop a deeper understanding of their customers’ needs. Staying competitive means focusing investment carefully, listening to what customers value, and continuing to improve in areas such as design, cost, carbon reduction, service and quality. Companies cannot afford to stand still.

 

David Robinson – Managing Director – XL Technologies

1. Biggest opportunity for the industry?

To embrace sustainability. There are vast opportunities worldwide which include, wind farms, solar power, hydro-electric schemes etc. These are often in remote locations and require extensive cable networks to transmit the power generated to the grid. Electric vehicles will require a vast charging network and force governments to reinforce grid network infrastructure. If the wire and cable industry can be seen to be promoting sustainability, others will follow, which in turn will promote cable sales worldwide, therefore creating a strong demand for wire & cable machinery.

 

2. Region or market to watch?

The Indian sub-continent. The signs are that growth in the region will surpass all our expectations.

 

3. Biggest threat to industry growth?

Political instability and war both make potential investors nervous. Without investment the demand for wire and cable machinery is supressed. However, one could argue that warfare generates income for those based in that sector.

 

Bernd Lohmuller – Managing Director – Maschinenfabrik NIEHOFF GmbH & Co KG

1. Biggest opportunity for the wire and cable industry in the next 10 years?

Demand for wire and cable will grow significantly over the next decade, driven by electrification, renewable energy, data centres and electric mobility. This will create substantial opportunities across power, data and speciality cables. To succeed, we must position ourselves in the right markets at the right time, build strong partnerships, and stay open to new technologies and applications.

 

2. Technology that will transform the industry

Digitalisation and automation combined with AI-driven process control and advanced materials will transform the wire and cable industry by making production more efficient, flexible and sustainable.

 

3. One thing every young engineer should learn early in their career

In order to maintain the competitiveness of European manufacturing, young engineers must learn to embrace innovation, think in terms of continuous improvement and persevere even when change is difficult or slow.