The Future Faces of IWMA

A new committee giving the next generation of industry professionals a platform to help shape the future of the wire and cable industry

IWMA has long been shaped by the knowledge, experience and leadership of its global membership. For decades, industry leaders have come together through IWMA to collaborate, share expertise and guide the direction of the wire and cable sector. As the industry continues to evolve, however, the future of the sector will increasingly be shaped by the next generation of professionals entering it today.

Recognising this, IWMA has launched the Future Faces Committee, a new initiative designed to bring together emerging professionals from across the global wire and cable industry and provide them with a platform to contribute ideas, perspectives and energy to the Association. The committee represents an important step in ensuring that IWMA continues to evolve alongside the industry it represents, while creating opportunities for younger professionals to play an active role in shaping its future.

The inaugural members of the committee were introduced to the industry during the IWMA Industry Lunch, where Chairman Willibert Dautzenberg presented the group to attendees and highlighted the significance of the initiative.

“Younger generations approach work differently,” he said. “In many ways they are quicker, more connected and bring new perspectives to solving problems. As an industry we should not only support them, but also learn from them. The Future Faces Committee gives us the opportunity to listen to those ideas and benefit from their energy and new ways of thinking.”

IWMA President Bernd Lohmüller echoed this view and emphasised the importance of giving younger professionals a voice within the Association.

“These are the faces that represent the future of our industry. It is important that we listen to them and give them a voice. By creating this committee, we are giving the next generation the opportunity to contribute ideas and help drive not only the Association but the wider industry forward. Before long, this will be their world, and we want to make sure they are ready to lead it.”

When forming the inaugural committee, IWMA made a conscious effort to bring together individuals from different sectors of the industry and different regions of the world, reflecting the international nature of the wire and cable sector. The first members of the Future Faces Committee are Jonathan Moia, Managing Director of Cable Tapes; Aaron Heath, Wire Technology Technician at Bridon Bekaert Ropes Group; Emma Pates, Global Technical Service Manager at Metalube; Christopher Streeb, Sales Manager at Niehoff; Cristian Lopez, International Sales at ACOTEQ; and Syed Ammar Zaidi, Production Manager at Pakistan Cables.

Several members of the committee have already seen how IWMA has evolved in recent years. Jonathan Moia, who has followed the Association’s development closely, has witnessed significant growth in IWMA’s activities since the challenges of the COVID period.

“IWMA has developed in amazing ways over the last couple of years” he said, when addressing the audience at the IWMA Industry Lunch in February “The events alone are a massive improvement. I’ve seen how the Association has evolved over the last few years and I’m looking forward to contributing to that progress while helping bring younger generations into both the Association and the industry.”

For Aaron Heath, he explained that one of the most exciting opportunities lies in helping to encourage more young people to consider careers within the sector.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to encourage more younger people to join the industry,” he explained. “Many younger generations don’t always see themselves working in environments like a rope-making factory. They think it’s dirty or messy work, but they don’t realise the benefits and opportunities that a career in this industry can offer. We need to find ways to promote the industry and show younger people what a great career path it can be.”

The international character of the committee is also reflected in the background of Cristian Lopez. Originally from Chile, Cristian moved to Germany to complete his university studies before beginning his career in the industry with ACOTEQ. His experience working across cultures has highlighted how important accessibility and communication are within a global association.

“IWMA is an international organisation and there is a real opportunity to make it even more accessible,” he said. “New technologies and AI language tools can help break down language barriers, while committee members can act as points of contact for different regions, so people feel more connected to the organisation.”

The committee will hold its first meeting at the end of May, where members will work together to develop their own five-year strategy outlining how they can contribute to the future development of IWMA. The session will be supported by Chairman Willibert Dautzenberg, Executive Manager Jessica Bennett, and EMC member Brian Cutts, who will guide the group through the strategic process and share their experience of IWMA’s governance and long-term planning.

By following a similar structure to the EMC’s own strategic planning sessions, the aim is to give the committee a clear framework for identifying opportunities, developing initiatives and defining how they can contribute meaningfully to the Association in the years ahead. Once developed, the committee’s five-year plan will be shared with the wider Executive Management Committee to ensure both groups remain aligned in their thinking and ambitions for the future of the Association.

Looking further ahead, the intention is that the Future Faces Committee and the EMC will come together in February 2027 as a joint idea-sharing platform, creating an opportunity for both groups to exchange perspectives, discuss priorities and help shape the future direction of IWMA together.

Although the committee currently consists of six members, IWMA intends to expand the group over time. A total of ten seats are available, and member companies are encouraged to nominate talented young professionals from within their organisations who may wish to join the committee and help drive it forward.

The launch of the Future Faces Committee represents more than simply the creation of another working group within the Association. It signals a commitment to ensuring that the next generation of professionals are not only part of the industry’s future, but actively involved in shaping it.

These individuals truly represent the future faces of our industry, and through this committee they now have a platform to share ideas, challenge established thinking and contribute to the direction of both the Association and the wider wire and cable sector. As IWMA continues to evolve, the voices around this table will increasingly help shape the conversations, opportunities and leadership that will define the industry in the years ahead.