Women in Focus: Voices from Across the Global Wire and Cable Industry

In many industries, women are often recognised for being “the first” or “the only.” But real progress happens when they are simply one of many. Across the global wire and cable industry, women are making their mark every day. They are engineers, researchers, production specialists, technical experts, sales leaders and innovators. They are also leading businesses, running global operations and helping shape the future of our sector. In this feature, IWMA Insider speaks to women from across the industry about their careers, their experiences and the advice they would offer to the next generation.

 

Jeanelle Gerardi

Senior Product Development Chemist – RichardsApex Inc.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role within your company?
I am a Senior Product Development Chemist at RichardsApex Inc., where we manufacture lubricants for non-ferrous and ferrous metalworking operations. My role involves developing new formulations for both standard and specialised processes, while also working closely with customers to solve day-to-day challenges and improve performance.

 

What first attracted you to the wire and cable industry, and what has kept you here?

I actually entered the industry by chance. I met a now-colleague at a birthday party, and when we realised we were both chemists, we exchanged details. That conversation eventually led to an interview with RichardsApex, and eight years later, I am still here.

Before that, I had never considered the wire and cable industry as a career path for a chemist. What has kept me here is the knowledge that our work supports essential infrastructure. It is rewarding to know that the products we develop play a part in technologies people rely on every day.

 

What part of your role do you find most rewarding?

I enjoy the creativity involved in formulation work. Even in a long-established industry, there is always room for innovation as new raw materials emerge and processes become more demanding.

It is especially rewarding to work with customers who are willing to trial new products and share feedback. That collaboration helps us test new ideas and improve performance in real-world applications.

 

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the wire and cable industry?

This has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but fresh perspectives and new talent are vital to its future.

My advice is not to be afraid to ask questions or look beyond your own area of expertise. Some of the most successful people in the industry are those who take the time to understand the wider supply chain. The wire and cable industry is exciting, evolving and full of long-term opportunity, with many different paths to grow over time.

 

Emma Pates

Global Technical Service Manager – Metalube Group

Can you tell us about your role / business and the type of work you do in the wire and cable industry?

I work for Metalube Group – a global manufacturer of specialist industrial lubricants, where my role sits within Technical Service. My focus is on supporting customers by optimising our lubricant products in real manufacturing environments, managing structured product trials, and solving technical challenges as they arise. Ultimately, the goal of Technical Service is to bridge the gap between product knowledge and real-world manufacturing, helping customers get the maximum performance from both their equipment and our technologies. For wire drawing customers specifically, this often means helping to extend lubricant fill life, reduce die wear, maintain consistent wire surface quality, and minimise downtime associated with lubricant changes.

 

What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?

One of the highlights of my career so far has been creating and launching the Technical Service department at Metalube. It’s been incredibly rewarding to take my technical and laboratory experience and use it to help shape a function that bridges R&D with real-world applications, strengthening the support we provide to both our teams and customers

 

What skills or qualities do you think are most important to succeed in this industry?

Curiosity and problem-solving are incredibly important. Manufacturing environments are complex, and no two applications are exactly the same, so being willing to ask questions and understand the full process is key. Strong communication skills are also essential because success often comes from collaboration between technical teams, operators, engineers, and commercial teams – being able to work closely with different teams to diagnose issues, optimise performance, and continuously improve efficiency is what ultimately leads to the best results

 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their career in manufacturing or engineering, what would it be?

Spend as much time as possible in the field and close to the real process. It’s one thing to understand the theory but seeing how equipment operates day-to-day and speaking with the people running it gives you a much deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities for improvement. The more practical experience you gain early in your career, the stronger your technical judgement will become

 

Pemika Nakornsri

Marketing Director and Sustainable Development Director – Bangkok Cable

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role within the business.

I am Marketing Director and Sustainable Development Director at Bangkok Cable. I also serve on the company’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Bangkok Cable was founded by my grandfather more than sixty years ago, so being part of the company is deeply personal to me. In my role, I oversee brand strategy, marketing communications, and the company’s broader sustainable development agenda, supporting Bangkok Cable’s long-term commitment to responsible and sustainable growth.

 

What makes the wire and cable industry an exciting place to work today?

The wire and cable industry sits at the centre of one of the most important global transformations of our time: electrification. We are in the golden age of cables.

From renewable energy and electric vehicles to data centres and smart infrastructure, so much of today’s progress relies on reliable power transmission and distribution. Cables may once have been the invisible backbone of modern infrastructure, but today they are taking centre stage.

 

Have you seen the role of women in the industry evolve during your career?

This has traditionally been a male-dominated sector, but I believe we are seeing a meaningful shift. More women are entering engineering, strategy and leadership roles, bringing valuable perspectives that strengthen organisations.

What has been especially encouraging is the growing culture of women supporting and mentoring one another. Leadership is not about standing alone. When women share knowledge, create opportunities and open doors for the next generation, the impact goes far beyond individual careers.

I also believe women often bring a collaborative and empathetic approach to leadership. In an industry built on teamwork, trust and long-term partnerships, that is incredibly powerful.

 

What opportunities do you think exist for the next generation entering the sector?

The next generation is entering the industry at a particularly exciting time. The future of wire and cable increasingly connects with renewable energy, energy storage, electric mobility, smart grids and digital infrastructure.

That gives young professionals the chance to build meaningful careers at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and innovation, while also helping to shape a more sustainable and resilient future.

 

Secil Karkas

Plant Definition Consultant – Maillefer

Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role within your company?
I am originally from Turkey and trained as an engineer, and I have been living in Finland for the past 17 years. I currently work at Maillefer as a Plant Definition Consultant within the Maillefer Factory Systems team, where I focus on factory design for wire and cable manufacturing. Before joining Maillefer, I worked at a Finnish technical research institute.

 

What first attracted you to the wire and cable industry, and what has kept you here?

What first drew me in was an interesting career opportunity. At the time, I did not know a great deal about the wire and cable industry, but I quickly became fascinated by the technologies behind it. What has kept me here is the industry’s strong future. Demand for cables continues to grow, while product requirements are becoming ever more complex, creating exciting long-term opportunities and a sense of stability within the sector.

 

What part of your role do you find most rewarding?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the variety it brings. Every customer and every business case is different, which means no two projects are ever quite the same. I enjoy both the in-house analytical work and the opportunity to collaborate with customers around the world. Helping turn their business ambitions into reality is a particularly satisfying part of what I do.

 

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the wire and cable industry?

My advice would be to be open-minded and give it a chance, even if the industry does not initially seem to match your background or main interests. The wire and cable sector is evolving quickly, and with that comes a wide range of exciting opportunities. It has also traditionally been a male-dominated industry, which means there is real value in bringing in fresh perspectives, new ideas and greater diversity. You may discover a career path you had never previously considered.

 

Beattrice Ho

Project Director – Messe Dusseldorf Asia Pte Ltd

Can you tell us about your role at Messe Düsseldorf Asia and your involvement with the wire and cable exhibition portfolio?

I have been involved in the wire industry since taking over the management of wire Singapore in 1999. The exhibition was held in Singapore every two years until 2005. After discussions and agreement within the industry, it moved to Bangkok, Thailand, in 2007. Since then, Bangkok has become the long-term home of the event, with ten successful editions held there so far and the 11th scheduled for 2027.

 

From your perspective, what makes the wire and cable industry such an interesting and dynamic sector to work in?

I am in the meetings business, so I am not involved in manufacturing wires or building machines. People often smile strangely when I say I am in charge of a show for the wire and cable industry in Southeast Asia, as it sounds dull to them. But I see it as a vital part of the building and construction world. Without these engineers, where would our infrastructure be? How would we drive cars? How would so much data be transmitted? It is an essential industry, and the modern world needs it more than ever.

 

As someone closely involved in international exhibitions, what trends or developments are you currently seeing in the Asian wire and cable market?

The Asian wire and cable market has seen some consolidation, especially after COVID. What interests me most is what is happening in Thailand. A new association has been formed to help raise the standard of wires produced there, which shows a real ambition to compete at international level. It is also reaching out to neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia, so this feels like something bigger than a national effort. It looks regional too.

 

What advice would you give to women considering a career in international business, events, or the manufacturing sectors connected to the wire and cable industry?

Women are capable of succeeding in any industry they set their minds to. Whatever career you choose, whether in international business, events or the wire and cable industry, the right education matters. But just as important are an open mind, the ability to adapt to change, and a willingness to keep learning.

 

Sigrun Möbus

Head of Sales – August Strecker GmbH & Co KG

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role within the business.

My name is Sigrun Möbus, and I serve as Head of Sales at AUGUST STRECKER GmbH & Co. KG, the world’s leading manufacturer of welding machines for the wire and cable industry.

As a family-owned company with dedicated employees, we develop complete solutions for a wide range of applications for an international customer base. Our service does not end with the sale itself; we continuously support our customers in optimising their production processes. This long-term partnership makes our work both exciting and diverse, while also creating strong and lasting customer relationships.

 

What makes the wire and cable industry an exciting place to work today?

It is fascinating to see how significantly renewable energy has gained importance in recent years. In addition to our traditional customers in the wire and cable industry – many of whom are increasingly active in this field – we have also been able to enter new markets. We want to support these developments and contribute our part toward greater sustainability.

 

Have you seen the role of women in the industry evolve during your career?

When I started working in this industry more than four decades ago, women – like in many other industrial sectors – were often in supporting roles within a predominantly male-dominated environment. That has been changing slowly but steadily. The number of women in middle and senior management positions continues to grow. As in many areas, it has become clear that diversity strengthens both business success and workplace collaboration – the right mix truly makes the difference.

 

What opportunities do you think exist for the next generation entering the sector?

The “next generation” will make valuable contributions across many industries. With fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking, they bring momentum and challenge long-established structures. This applies not only to technical solutions that address new industrial demands, but also to collaboration between generations and between men and women within organisations.

 

Enise Çevik

Sales Support Specialist – GMM Cable Machinery

Can you tell us about your role and the type of work you do in the wire and cable industry?

I work as a Sales Support Specialist at GMM Cable Machinery, a company that manufactures machinery for the wire and cable industry. I am involved in coordinating projects and managing export operations, monitoring projects from order receipt to production and shipment while ensuring smooth communication between customers and internal teams.

 

What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?

One of the proudest moments in my career has been my professional growth within GMM Cable Machinery. I started as a summer intern, continued as a trainee engineer, and after graduation worked as a Planning Specialist before taking on my current role as a Sales Support Specialist. This journey has given me invaluable experience in project coordination, teamwork, and international operations. Additionally, a personal highlight was advancing to the finals of a TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) competition with one of my engineering projects, which strengthened my creativity and problem-solving skills.

 

What skills or qualities do you think are most important to succeed in this industry?

I believe strong communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills are essential in this industry. Since projects involve multiple teams and international clients, the ability to coordinate effectively and adapt to unexpected challenges is very important. A good understanding of both technical requirements and customer expectations also helps ensure successful project delivery.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their career in manufacturing or engineering, what would it be?

My advice would be to be curious and open to learning. Manufacturing and engineering are constantly evolving industries, so developing both technical knowledge and practical experience is very valuable. Building strong communication skills and understanding how different departments work together can make a significant difference early in your career.

 

 

The stories shared here reflect the many different paths into the wire and cable industry, but they all highlight the same qualities: curiosity, resilience and a willingness to learn. While the industry still has progress to make, each year we see more women entering technical roles, contributing new ideas and stepping into leadership positions. The future of the wire and cable industry will be built by the best talent available, and that talent exists across every part of our global workforce. Through its international network of members, exhibitions and industry initiatives, the IWMA is proud to support a sector where opportunity, innovation and collaboration continue to grow.