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General Cable, the US wire and cable maker, announced that its net income in Q3 2009 amounted to US$16.4 million compared with US$50.5 million in the same period last year. This is a 68% y-o-y plunge. Net sales in Q3 2009 added up to US$1.08 billion, down by 25% y-o-y on a metal adjusted basis. In the same period, operating income plummeted by 59% y-o-y to US$49.4 million. The company expects that in Q4 markets in developing regions will perform relatively better compared with developed regions. This is partly attributed to infrastructure projects and better credit conditions.

A joint venture between Statnett and National Grid, the Norwegian and U.K. grid operators respectively, plans to lay 800km of 1,400MW cable between Norway and the U.K. between 2017 and 2020. This follows last year's announcement, outlining Statnett's intention to build four new cable connections to continental Europe with a total capacity of 4,200MW. The company expects to invest between US$2.2b and US$2.4b on cable projects until 2020.

Industry sources expect China to invest RMB300B by 2011 for the construction of power grids. The project, which will consist of ultra high voltage, 200-750kV and 110kV or lower sections, is anticipated to require between 1.12 and 1.25Mt of copper.

Nexans, a leading cable manufacturer, has announced plans to develop an underground Extra High Voltage (EHV) cable manufacturing plant in the US, which is expected to be commissioned in the summer of 2013. The company also intends to extend its submarine High Voltage (HV) activities. Investment is expected to amount to US$80M. Nexans hopes that the facilities will allow it to meet the growing demand from the EHV and HV cable market in the US.

Amer International Group has signed an agreement with the local government of Wuwei County in Chaohu, Anhui Province, to build a 250,000t/y copper rod plant in Wuwei. Fixed-asset investment in the project is reportedly RMB2.5B. Once in operation, the plant will be the biggest of its kind in Asia.

Leader Universal Holdings Bhd expects its wire and cable business to benefit from increased demand as a result of stronger activity in the domestic and overseas infrastructure industry. Demand is expected to stem mainly from Asia and Australia, and also from reconstruction projects in New Zealand and Japan. Currently, orders amount to RM800M, with one-third coming from overseas markets. The company also realised strong demand from the Middle East. In the financial year ended 31st December 2010, the company recorded a turnover of RM2.49B, an increase of 27.6% compared to RM1.95B in 2009.

It was reported that Xinxing Copper Co. successfully increased its production capacity of oxygen-free copper rod to 150,000t/y in October after the new casting and rolling line was formally opened for production in the month prior. The project is part of a RMB3.0B strategic cooperation agreement between the Fuyang municipal government and Xinxing Copper Co. to build operations capable of producing 150,000t/y of high grade semis and 300,000t/y of refined copper.

"By removing the overhead lines and placing them underground the power company is also providing the local area with a more reliable and efficient supply of electricity as the new cables will not be susceptible to bad weather and strong winds."