3/4/2022 –
SAMP Srl has appointed Alessandro Iannitto as its operations manager, responsible for all aspects of production and assembly including sourcing and logistics. He will report directly to the CEO. He has extensive experience with lean manufacturing processes from previous production management roles at GE, Sidel, Revlon, FCA and Still. He holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the Università di Roma Tor Vergata, and has completed the Leadership Development Program at Fiat Auto and has an executive MBA from SDA Bocconi. He will be based in the company’s large production site near Bologna, in Bentivoglio, Italy. The company also announced that Alain Blatti will lead its service and commissioning team in Italy. He has more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the sector. He most recently worked for 13 years for Aberdare Cables in South Africa, where he was MES Tech lead. Prior to that he was a senior electronic technician for Aberdare Power Cable, a South African cable manufacturer, for five years. Based in Italy, SAMP Srl has more than 80 years of experience in the manufacturing of quality wire and cable solutions, from drawing to extrusion machines as well as bunching and stranding lines.
Dean Hatley has joined Davis Wire Corporation as director of sales – concrete reinforcing products, responsible for developing and executing the company’s growth strategy. He previously had a long career (34 years) with Insteel Wire Products, where he was vice president of sales. Based in Irwindale, California, Davis Wire Corporation manufactures steel wire and steel alloy wire.
Frank Weidenmüller has been named commercial managing director of Witels-Albert GmbH. The engineer has expertise in commercial and technical aspects, and worked with company President Eckehard Albert for more than 15 years. He will work with Technical Managing Director Marcus Paech, a 25-year company employee. He succeeds Horst Schneidereit, who after 40 years of service will retire after helping a smooth transition for Weidenmüller. Based in Berlin, Germany, Witels-Albert GmbH produces equipment and machines for manufacturing wire and stranded process materials.
Hitachi Cable America, Inc., (HCA) has named Rayne DuPaul as director of marketing for the company’s Performance Cable Systems and Medical Solutions divisions of HCA. She has more than 10 years of marketing and product marketing experience from different industries, most recently in the aftermarket automotive industry. Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, the division of Hitachi Cable America, Inc., manufactures copper and fiber optic communication cables.
Lisa Kaplan has been promoted to executive vice president, marketing and strategic planning for M. Holland. She joined the company five years ago, and during her career has successfully led large, company-wide initiatives. She holds a B.A. degree in history from the University of Michigan and an M.A. degree in international affairs/East Asian studies from George Washington University. Based in Northbrook, Illinois, M. Holland is an international distributor of thermoplastic resins to sectors that include wire and cable.
Davis-Standard reported two recent hires. Kyle Haley was named aftermarket sales manager for the Upper Midwest, which includes the states of Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as well as the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He previously worked for Greiner Extrusion, where he served as a project engineer for material handling modernization. He holds a B.S. degree in business from the University of Minnesota. The company also welcomed Ken Vargas to its aftermarket team, where he will serve as regional sales manager—aftermarket. Vargas’ territory includes Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas as well as Mexico. He will focus on supporting existing installations and new opportunities within this territory. He previously worked as a project engineer for Coperion Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston. Based in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, Davis-Standard Corporation is a global supplier of extrusion and converting technology.
Pelican Wire announced the hiring of three new management team members. Mike Dunn is the new plant manager. He has more than 30 years of operational experience in diverse industries, using Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies in single and multi-plant environments. He holds a B.S. degree in accounting from the University of Detroit and an MBA from Wayne State University (Detroit). Bob Soares was named quality manager. He has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing/process engineering, quality engineering and quality management. He holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Doug Wanser was named maintenance manager. He has experience as an electrical engineer, and holds degrees in mechatronics and computer aided drafting and design from SUNY Delhi. A Wire Experts Group company, Pelican Wire, based in Naples, Florida, manufactures application-driven wire solutions in the areas of thermocouple, resistance and custom wire.
Obituary
Howard R. Weiss, the founder of Whitmor Wire & Cable in California, who was also known as “Howie” and “Harley,” died Dec. 4, 2021, at age 97.
A resident of Reno, Nevada, Weiss came of age during the Great Depression. He attended Case Western University and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduating from the Naval Academy’s class of 1947 with an electrical engineering degree. He remained active in the Navy after graduation, spending time aboard the USS Rich (DD-820) as the disbursement officer. Of note, he was able to bring his 1947 Harley Davidson on the ship. In 1949, he married Phyllis Innes-Grant.
In the 1950s, Weiss founded and developed Whitmor Wire and Cable Corporation, a Southern California business with multiple subsidiaries. The company provided wire and cable for the first U.S. satellite to be sent into space, and was the sole provider of cable for the legendary Lockheed P3C aircraft. He received a distinguished career award from the Wire & Cable Manufacturers Association. He also acquired and expanded a company named Wirenetics, and later, after moving to Reno, founded Silver State Wire and Cable. He was a horse enthusiast. He retired in the late 1980s, and traveled the world, most of the time with Phyllis. He was also a generous philanthropist to many causes. His company was run by his son, Michael, who sold it in 2019.
In addition to Michael, Weiss is survived by two daughters, Wendy and Nancy; a stepson, David; and numerous grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis.
