April 10, 2014 – By providing a unique environment for customers to discuss product needs—as well as observe the manufacturing process of wire and cable that crews will deploy in the field—Southwire believes the Southwire Energy Center extends the company’s reputation for innovation as an energy industry supplier.

“We believe the Southwire Energy Center is unlike any plant our customers have ever toured,” boasted Michael Tribble, vice-president, Substation Cables. “We have co-located our sales and product development teams with our manufacturing and logistics operations. This builds stronger collaborative problem-solving in a modern facility that allows customers to be involved in product development and observe the manufacturing process like never before.”

Located in Villa Rica, Ga., the centre will aim to develop smart grid components and products for renewable energy projects. However, the new multimillion-dollar facility’s primary focus is to expand Southwire’s substation cable technology and solutions. In fact, the company says the facility will pioneer a ‘substation kit’ that will be custom-packed with all of the cable components needed to build or upgrade a substation based on customer specs for individual projects.

The centre will manufacture specialty substation cables along with control cables that include Southwire’s Proof Positive Technology to help deter theft.