USA: Nexans Starts Construction of First HV Cable Manufacturing Plant in North America

Nexans, a worldwide leading expert in the cable industry, has started the construction of its first high voltage power cable manufacturing plant in North America.

Guests at the official ground-breaking ceremony held today at the site in Berkeley County, located in Charleston, South Carolina included the Honorable Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina, Fréderic Michelland, Nexans Senior Corporate Executive Vice President responsible for the global High Voltage and Submarine cables business as well as North and South America, and Steve Hall, Executive Vice President Nexans North and South America areas.

With an initial investment of $85 million, the first phase of the facility will focus on the manufacture of underground power cables up to extra high voltage (EHV) levels of 500 kV. The plant will begin operation in 2014.

“The establishment of our first high voltage cable manufacturing plant in North America is a key strategic development for Nexans. It will enable us to capitalize on the ever growing demand for high quality high voltage cables designed and manufactured to meet the specific needs of the major power transmission infrastructure projects planned in North America and worldwide in the coming years,” said Fréderic Michelland.

 “It’s exciting to see another international company choose to locate new operations in South Carolina. We celebrate the company’s $85 million investment and the creation of 200 new jobs. More and more companies around the globe are learning that South Carolina is the place to do business,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

 Steve Hall: “We identified the Charleston region as the ideal location on the East Coast because it provides easy access to a population of 110 million and offers ready access to navigable waters. We were attracted to South Carolina by its pro-business reputation and competitive Enterprise package. Additionally, the Bushy Park Industrial Complex in Berkeley County provides the perfect and large Greenfield site. Finally, we have the added advantage of excellent technical schools, South Carolina’s training program, and a skilled local labor pool.”

This new plant will reinforce Nexans’ current product range in North America, adding to the existing medium voltage, low voltage, overhead transmission, industrial, building wire, electrical wire and LAN portfolios. In 2011, North America represented more than 11 percent of the Group’s total sales with 1,785 people employed in seven production facilities: four in the U.S. and three in Canada.

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Offshore WIND staff, June 13, 2012; Image: nexans