Atkore Acquires Talon Products

Atkore Inc. announced the acquisition of the assets of Talon Products LLC, a provider of patented, non-metallic, injection-molded cable cleats for use in power distribution applications.

Sold as Talon® Cable Cleats, the product supports and holds electrical cables when installed at intervals along the length of cable. Additionally, the cleats secure cables and minimize movement in the event of a short circuit or other emergency. The Talon Cable Cleat easily mounts on ladder-type cable trays, framing channel strut or structural surfaces without cumbersome mounting brackets, providing a lower total installed cost.

“The acquisition of Talon Products seamlessly integrates with Atkore’s existing product portfolio to provide a robust solution for cable management needs,” said Mark Lamps, president of Atkore’s safety and infrastructure business. “Talon Cable Cleats are an innovative product that is non-magnetic, non-conductive and resistant to oils, heat, UV, moisture and corrosion. We’re proud to offer this high-quality product, which has a vital role in helping improve worker safety and limiting equipment damage during a short circuit event.”

Talon Products is a small business headquartered in Hammond, Louisiana and will continue operating at its current location.

For more information, visit atkore.com.

Legrand Honored by the National Fire Protection Association

Legrand received special recognition from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for providing Electrical Shock Hazard Protection by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Protection. The invention of GFCI receptacles, originally developed and driven to widespread use by Legrand’s Pass & Seymour line, was honored in conjunction with all GFCI technology as winner of the 2022 Philip J. DiNenno Prize at the NFPA Conference & Expo in Boston on June 6–9.

The NFPA awards the Phillip J. DiNenno Prize each year to recognize pioneering innovations that have significantly impacted building, fire, and electrical safety. The 2022 DiNenno Prize selection reflects a departure from the traditional recognition of one or more individuals who have played a pivotal role in the creation of a fire and life safety technology. Instead, it honors the ground-breaking technology itself, as many of its innovators are no longer living.

“Legrand is elated that the NFPA chose to honor GFCI innovations, which have played an incredibly important role in improving the safety of homes for half a century,” said Scott Bausch, Legrand’s vice president and general manager for the Pass & Seymour product line. “Since our Pass & Seymour line launched the first-ever GFCI receptacle 50 years ago, the safety and protection this device has provided has helped shape modern electrical code and, most importantly, saved a lot of lives. Innovating for electrical safety is not only our legacy; it continues to be one of our top priorities. So having the invaluable impact of our GFCI products recognized for this is truly an honor.”

“GFCI technology in itself is very important in electrical safety, saving hundreds of lives per year,” said Craig Beyler, DiNenno Selection and Prize Committee chair.

The DiNenno Prize typically features a $50,000 award to its recipients. In absence of living recipients, the Phoenix Burn Society for Burn Survivors and the Electrical Fire Safety International have been selected as the beneficiaries of the prize and will each receive a cash donation to support their work in reducing loss from electrical hazards.

For more information, visit legrand.us.

Cerrowire Breaks Ground on New Facility

Cerrowire broke new ground on May 4 when leadership lifted the first shovelful of Hartselle, Alabama soil to begin work on its 270,000-square-foot metal clad cable facility at Morgan Center Business Park at 2100 Byrd Road.

Slated for a January 2023 completion date, Cerrowire’s plant will employ more than 80 Cerrowire team members at start-up, with that number increasing to more than 120 within three years. The investment of more than $100 million will provide for a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with advanced systems and equipment, allowing the 102-year-old company to further its commitment to high quality and cost control while creating more job opportunities in the region.

“We are looking ahead to an even stronger future by extending our product offerings to position Cerrowire and its electrical distribution partners for continued success,” President Stewart Smallwood said.

Metal clad cable is a metal jacketed cable used in most types of building construction—primarily in commercial—but also some residential and industrial applications. Facilitating a streamlined installation process for electricians and electrical contractors, it provides for lower cost factors, driving growth in demand and sales.

For more information, visit cerrowire.com.

Current™ Launches New Brand Identity

Current™ (formerly GE Current, a Daintree Company) has unveiled a new brand identity following the historic acquisition of Hubbell’s Commercial & Industrial Lighting business. The enterprise brand unites the companies under a single identity with one purpose: to deliver the innovation customers require with solutions that create inspiring, efficient and safe environments.

“We have taken a major step forward in bringing these two businesses together to provide our customers with the industry’s most expansive and versatile portfolio of lighting and controls solutions,” said Manish Bhandari, president and CEO, Current. “Our new brand reflects this boldness and versatility, while communicating our shared focus on delivering value to our customers across multiple industries and applications. Our purpose is to make a difference for the planet and people’s lives with advanced lighting and intelligent controls. This ethos is also fully embodied in our ‘Always On’ tagline.”

The new Current further emphasizes an innovative new product-based organization that focuses on bringing customers the best possible range of novel approaches and technologies. Current’s portfolio includes 35 industry-leading product brands, including the iconic GE brand, each offering a unique value proposition.

“Our new logo, with a subtle nod to the shape of an LED chip, speaks to our 140-plus years of delivering innovation.

The nesting circles and squares evoke the balance and synergy of artistry and technology embodied in lighting and controls and symbolizes the company’s ability to innovate and scale quickly,” said Jim Benson, vice president of enterprise marketing and communications.

For more information, visit currentlighting.com.

Greenlee Hosts ‘We Love STEM Day’

Greenlee®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second “We Love STEM Day” on July 15 for 13 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It also helped Greenlee demonstrate the role these vital subjects play in manufacturing.

“Our second annual ‘We Love STEM Day’ was a success in encouraging a love of learning STEM subjects in the next generation of creators, innovators and inventors,” said Jennifer Hoang, event chair of Greenlee’s “WeLove STEM Day” for Emerson. “The excitement and energy students had for learning about STEM and the way it is used in the work we do was inspiring.”

Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities that strengthened their problem-solving skills, including Lego® maze coding, building towers out of pasta, egg drop competitions and hydraulic claw building.

For more information, visit greenlee.com.

Southwire Receives Awards, Partners with Braves

Southwire was recently presented with the inaugural Energy Matters Award for Best Sustainability by a Large Company by Tim Echols, vice chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Some of Southwire’s recent successes that have contributed to receiving this award include its commitment to being a founding member of the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact; participation in Georgia Power’s Customer Renewal Supply Program (CRSP); the construction of its new Copper Rod Plant that utilizes 100% renewable electricity; the installation of a solar canopy, solar-powered picnic tables and electric vehicle charging stations at its corporate headquarters; and incorporation of sustainability-linked pricing into its $1 billion asset based loan facility.

In July 2020, Southwire announced its Carbon Zero goal to eliminate or offset all of the company’s Scope 1, which is associated with fuel combustion, and Scope 2, which is associated with electricity consumption, greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. These efforts also contributed to the company’s recognition for this award.

Fast Company also recently announced its fourth annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list, honoring organizations and businesses that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to encouraging innovation at all levels. Southwire came in at No. 89 for its devotion to inspiring the lives that it touches by developing innovative systems and solutions.

“A deep commitment to creativity adds value in solving our customer’s problems and making their lives easier—many times addressing challenges that our customers did not even realize that they have,” said Norman Adkins, president of wire and cable and chief operating officer at Southwire. “It is this long-term commitment to creativity that can also help drive a more sustainable overall economy by looking at things not as they are, but by using imagination to develop big ideas for a better future world.”

Acknowledging and celebrating companies that have maintained a steadfast dedication to innovation and creative thinking amid a variety of economic and societal challenges is the primary objective of this year’s list.

In more company news, Southwire will open office space at The Battery Atlanta in Cobb County adjacent to Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. In late March, Southwire signed a deal for roughly 23,000 square feet of offices, meeting rooms, workstations and multipurpose space.

“We have embraced adaptability through the pandemic, and we have proven that we are able to successfully meet the expectations of our stakeholders in a hybrid work environment,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “Having a presence at The Battery Atlanta offers additional flexibility to our team members and further demonstrates that Southwire is an employer of choice.”

As the company finalizes plans for its office at The Battery Atlanta, Southwire has announced an agreement with the Atlanta Braves in which Southwire will now be an electrical products manufacturing partner of the Atlanta Braves. The partnership will also focus on strengthening both organizations’ efforts to give back to the community, as Southwire connects with the Braves’ established community and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts through sponsorship and volunteerism through at least two events this year.

For more information, visit southwire.com.

John Hoffman of Legrand Honored by NAED

John Hoffman, executive vice president of sales and demand creation at Legrand, recently received the Associate Service Award from the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) for his extensive contributions to NAED and the surrounding industry.

Throughout his career, Hoffman has helped advance NAED’s mission as a member, mentor and leader. “As you all well know, his great enthusiasm for this industry and his profound market expertise is unparalleled as is his dedication to helping our distributor partners succeed and evolve,” said Ravi Ramanathan, president, electrical wiring systems, Legrand. “The entire Legrand community is grateful to John for his outstanding work and service.”

For more information, visit legrand.com.

Acuity Appoints Senior VP, Growth and Transformation

Acuity Brands Inc. appointed Sach Sankpal as senior vice president, growth and transformation, and a member of the executive leadership team. Sankpal will lead the technology organization, deploy the company’s Better.Smarter.Faster. operating system and direct integration efforts for future Acuity mergers and acquisitions.

Before joining Acuity, Sankpal was the president of product and solutions at Resideo Inc. Prior to his role there, he served as the senior vice president at Trimble Inc., where he successfully executed acquisitions, delivered new IoT solutions and helped the organization create best practices in strategic marketing, pricing and Hoshin execution. Before Trimble, Sankpal served as the president of

Honeywell Global Safety Products, where he led a recovery of the business by driving operational excellence in delivery and productivity, transforming the company’s R&D capabilities and enhancing its roadmap.

For more information, visit acuitybrands.com.

Pesta Promoted to Director of Kichler’s Landscape Product Line

Scott Pesta has been appointed to the newly created role of director of landscape product line at Kichler Lighting. Pesta, who joined Kichler in 2007, has served as senior product manager, landscape lighting, since 2017. In his new role, he will oversee Kichler’s landscape product line that’s sold across multiple channels. He will lead product management, channel marketing, advanced product solutions and sales for professional landscape products and will be instrumental in building and maintaining strong relationships with Kichler’s distributors and contractors. Pesta will report to Mark Lape, Kichler’s vice president of sales.

Prior to joining Kichler, he held sales and marketing roles at Labelmatch in Hudson, Ohio and the University of Toledo Athletic Department. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and his MBA from the University of Toledo.

For more information, visit kichlerlightingexperts.com.

Epicor Appoints New President

Epicor has appointed Lisa Pope as president of the company. She will continue to lead overall go-to-market strategy and execution, spearheading the company’s cloud-first market growth initiatives that empower Epicor customers to drive business value in a complex and dynamic world.

“Lisa has been a major force for growth, scale and profitability over the last five years as we pursue our mission to be the cloud vendor of choice for the make, move and sell economy,” said Epicor CEO Steve Murphy. “Her deep partnership and commitment to customers, as well as unique understanding of the markets we serve, have been hallmarks of her leadership at Epicor, and will continue to set a high standard for how we accelerate momentum and drive results for companies we work with.”

Pope brings more than 25 years of experience in the enterprise resource planning industry, including leadership roles with Oracle, Infor and QAD. In her tenure at Epicor as part of the executive leadership team, she has been honored with numerous industry recognitions, including most recently the 2022 “Woman of the Year in Sales” by the Stevie® Awards for Sales and Customer Service.

For more information, visit epicor.com/en-us/.