Wire firm eyes new products

By Staff -- Purchasing, 4/5/2001

North American Wire Products Inc., Cleveland, has launched a $10 million capital improvements program to add galvanizing and electroplating equipment so the company can serve customers who want a single-source supplier for both coated and non-coated wire. The firm will make such new products as galvanized armoring wire, galvanized music wire and electroplated music wire. These types of wire are used by the automotive, appliance, telecommunication and cable television industries.

Bradley K. Martin, president of North American Wire Products, says new furnaces will allow the wire to be heat treated to improve strength and ductility. Galvanizing the wire improves its appearance and provides corrosion resistance and electroplating improves appearance and provides a more consistent and evenly coated product. "Electroplated wire has a more uniform coating, which will allow us to run it through our drawing and packaging machines about 35% faster," Martin adds. "The smoother surface also will increase the life of our dies. The result will be higher quality and lower cost products."