Wire and cable have a very deep history in industry, and remain indispensable for a wide

variety of applications today. In our current digitized and online landscape, getting the best
wire and cable is more important than ever. There are a large number of standard wire and
cable available for many applications, but sometimes these products are not enough to
meet a customer’s specific requirements—and this is when they need custom-designed and
custom-built cables.

No matter where custom cables are needed, whether it is for business machines, medical
equipment, appliances, automation systems, computers, or other applications, it is
important that they meet the highest levels of quality and are completed within specified
turnaround times. There are a variety of elements that make up quality custom cables
and many factors that must be considered. By working with an experienced manufacturer,
customers can specify the exact type of cable they want to safely and effectively achieve
their goals.

Wire & Cable Industry

There is one basic question every customer needs to address when creating custom
cable: how long does it need to be? It is important to find a wire manufacturer that will
accommodate a wide range of lengths, and remember that many suppliers have large

Supply Chain
minimums for custom wire. If a customer requires a full production job for a large amount
of cable, this is never a problem. However, clients in the market for custom-made cable
often need prototypes or small production runs before committing to a larger order. Finding
a company that will produce prototypes and smaller production runs will aid companies
that are still working in the design phase for their cable. The right supplier can realize the
designer’s exact needs, whether they are looking for 1000 or up to 1,000,000 feet of cable.
Simplifying the supply chain and reducing total cost of ownership involved in electronic wire
and cable production can substantially enhance a company’s overall profitability. This can
be achieved by partnering with a qualified wire and cable service provider who can cut costs
and improve efficiency through strategic sourcing, smarter inventory management, increased
productivity, and optimized logistics. These types of supply chain partnerships can vary in
their level of involvement and information-sharing between or among participants, ranging
from the most basic arms-length methods to progressively more involved partnerships that
involve enhanced cooperation, coordination, and collaboration.

Developing the perfect wire or cable solution for a particular project can be a complicated
and time-consuming process. From sourcing the appropriate raw materials to transforming
those materials into the final product, there are many critical steps involved in the supply
chain. Understanding this process can be extremely valuable for defining your specific wire
and cable needs and knowing how to effectively communicate them to a provider.

This eBook provides an overview of the key steps involved in the wire and cable supply chain,
as well as the benefits of working with a one-stop-shop supplier that understands how to
effectively navigate the process from sourcing and design through production and delivery.

Product
Production
Customization
Product
Sourcing
Available
Raw Transportation
for Sale to
Materials
End User

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SOURCING RAW MATERIALS
Wire and cable manufacturers often act as an intermediary between customers and raw
material suppliers. For this reason, they must be trusted to carefully source the appropriate
raw materials that will ensure the production of a high-quality final product. When you
partner with a qualified and experienced wire and cable manufacturer, you benefit from their
access to an extensive network of reputable material suppliers.

A provider who specializes in wire and cable manufacturing also has insight into current
market trends, which tend to fluctuate significantly based on the ever-changing costs of raw
materials. Wire and cable assemblies use a variety of materials, from copper and aluminum
to rubber, thermoplastics, thermosets, and other specialty plastics. The costs of these
materials, in combination with the energy expenses related to their production, will influence
the final price of the product.

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PRODUCTION
The production stage of the wire and cable supply chain involves scheduling and executing
all production activities, including product manufacturing, testing, packaging, and
release. Companies overseeing the production process are also responsible for managing
performance, storing production-related data and information, and overseeing facilities and
regulatory compliance issues.
In the cable and wire industry, factors influence production decisions:

Deregulation. Electricity and telecommunication markets were once dominated by

monopoly suppliers who mostly purchased from local cable providers. However, the
deregulation of these markets through the dismantling of monopolies has led to
heightened competition within the market and an increased customer incentive to
negotiate with cable manufacturers.

Quality/Standards. To verify the reliability and safety of their products, qualified cable
and wire manufacturers must comply with strict standards established and enforced
by various regulatory agencies. Standards such as RoHS, ISO 9001, and QS-9000
ensure a company’s ability to consistently provide dependable products that are fit
for their intended purpose. Overseas providers are often able to offer cheaper prices
due to less quality and safety regulations, but this usually results in lower-quality
products.

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 Tariffs. Because technology is such an integral part of today’s economy, tariffs
imposed on electronic components have a substantial impact on several industries.
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States specifically addresses electrical
connectors, with Sections 8535 and 8536 establishing a tariff of 35% on many
electrical devices.

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TRANSPORTATION
Transportation involves the movement of a product from one location to the next as it works
its way from the starting point of the supply chain to the final user. Transportation is critical
to the overall production process, even though it accounts for under 5% of total production
costs. Method of transportation, cost of transportation, and time in transit are all important
factors to consider when developing a transportation strategy. Appropriate transportation
management will have a significant impact on a company’s efficiency, delivery speed, and
operating costs.

To be effective, supply chains require transportation strategies that can respond and adapt
to various business dynamics, including the fluctuating needs of customers, suppliers, and
the overall operation. A successful transportation management approach will tailor the
movement of goods to the company’s supply chain requirements. Establishing a robust, yet
flexible system built from trustworthy and reliable carriers and partners is the best way to
ensure a seamless supply chain operation that will improve all aspects of your business,
from manufacturing to product delivery.

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PRODUCT CUSTOMIZATION
The customization phase of wire and cable production involves tailoring the design to fit
the exact needs of the customer’s project. Despite the large number of off-the-shelf wire
and cable configurations available, modern applications often require specialized solutions
that are only possible through custom manufacturing. Partnering with a wire and cable
manufacturer with these capabilities can save you time, money, and space by making sure
the product you purchase is specifically optimized for your application.

At Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable, we have the manufacturing capabilities and
engineering expertise to create custom wire and cable solutions for practically any
application. Our thorough, easy-to-understand customization process allows you to specify
each detail of your cable design, from the cable type and configuration to the materials used
to construct each component. Using this approach, each solution can be customized to meet
specific environmental requirements, performance parameters, and industry standards.

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MAKING PRODUCT AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO END USER
The last step in the cable and wire supply chain is the delivery of the completed product to
its final destination. In most cases, this involves handing over the product to the wholesaler
or retailer responsible for selling it to consumers or businesses.

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WORKING WITH A ONE-STOP-SHOP SUPPLIER
SIMPLIFIES THE PROCESS
By offering a full spectrum of products and services, one-stop-shop manufacturers can
manage all aspects of a project’s production, from start to finish. This consolidation of
services simplifies administration and streamlines the overall process, saving you time and
money. However, with the entire project being handled by a single company, it is important
to partner with a supplier that can fully satisfy your specific requirements and expectations.
Whether you need an off-the-shelf solution, or one built completely from scratch, choosing
a single-source provider that is incapable of meeting your quality specifications or cost
objectives will ultimately be detrimental to your bottom line.

When sourcing a one-stop-shop manufacturer, it is also important to select a supplier

with a sufficient level of flexibility built into their process to accommodate unexpected
project changes or design modifications. Regardless of your project’s size, complexity, or
level of customization, an appropriately qualified supplier should have the experience and
manufacturing ability to satisfy the current needs of your project, as well as those that might
arise in the future.

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ABOUT CONSOLIDATED ELECTRONIC WIRE & CABLE
From the sourcing of raw materials to the delivery of a completed product, developing
high-quality cable and wire solutions can be a complicated process involving multiple
time-consuming steps. One-stop-shop suppliers help simplify this process by managing all
aspects of the project, from design to delivery, in one place. This gives businesses more time
to focus on their core competencies and stay as competitive as possible in their markets.

Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable is a single-source provider of wire and cable solutions
designed for a range of complex and demanding applications. With our comprehensive start-
to-finish process, we help companies optimize productivity and mitigate risks while reducing
overall costs and saving time. We also offer extensive customization services to make sure
our solutions are carefully tailored to the unique needs of each project

To learn more about our products and how we can help you with your next project, please
contact us today.

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ABOUT CONSOLIDATED ELECTRONIC WIRE & CABLE

Since 1919 Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable has served nearly every market and
industry by successfully delivering cable wire solutions with the ability to meet unique
application requirements and the most stringent industry standards.

Our focus on manufacturing top-quality wire and cable solutions has allowed us to establish
ourselves as an industry leader. That’s why we work hard to maintain our ISO 9001:2015
certification, so our customers can rest assured that we are committed to providing them
with the very best products and services. Our strict quality assurance processes (in-process
inspections, application testing, product specification verification and more) further ensure
our products will successfully meet our customers’ needs.

Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable is a customer-driven, employee-owned (ESOP)

company. This means our employees are fully dedicated to our customers and continuously
strive to improve our manufacturing processes, customer services and product offerings in
order to ensure complete satisfaction. Unlike large corporations, our smaller size means we
can provide our customers with highly responsive, reliable and personal, one-on-one service.

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11044 King Street

Franklin Park, Illinois 60131
Toll Free: 800-621-4278
Phone: 847-455-8830
Fax: 847-455-8837
Email: [email protected]