Global Wire and Cable Producers Finally Hold the Line Against Chinese Rivals in 2015

In the last decade dozens of Chinese cable makers showed rapid growth in their insulated cable revenues and rose into the Top 100 rankings. It is now clear that this rise up the rankings for the Chinese cable makers has peaked in 2015. As demand growth slowed in China, North American and European producers held their own in the Top 100 rankings in 2015. These are the latest results from Integer's Top 100 Global Wire & Cable Producers Database 2016.

Leading Chinese producers such as Far East Smarter Energy (Far East Cable), Hengtong and Baosheng saw US$ revenues stall in 2015. There are still 10 Chinese companies in the Top 30, and 35 out of the Top 100, but no new entrants this year. Further growth from Chinese producers is likely to come from overseas acquisition, and in Q4 2015, Hengtong acquired leading South African cable maker Aberdare Cables. However, Japanese producers strengthened their rankings, mainly due to the timing of their full year financial results. Producers in the region, such as Sumitomo Electric performed well in its core cable operations.

European cable makers finally stopped dropping down the rankings. Over the last 6-7 years while more Chinese producer entered the Top 100, companies such as Leoni, NKT, Wilms Group and Tele-fonika built up certain niches in their markets and sustained revenues in 2015. Middle Eastern producer Bahra Cable also saw a very strong 2015, as Saudi Arabia continues to be one of the key production hubs in the region.

Revenues in 2016 are also likely to be more volatile than 2015, with the turbulence of the Brexit vote in the UK, the attempted coup in Turkey and the continued recession in Russia. But there are also some key markets that are showing sustained growth, and Integer will continue to monitor these markets closely.

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