General Cable

General Cable is an American multinational cable manufacturing company based in Highland Heights, Kentucky, with sales offices and manufacturing facilities in several countries. General Cable manufactures and distributes copper, aluminum, and optical fiber cables, for energy, construction, industrial, specialty and communications sectors. In December 2017, Prysmian acquired General Cable in $3 billion deal which was finalized on June 6, 2018.
History.
General Cable was incorporated in New Jersey in 1927, merging several older companies founded in the 19th century, including Phillips Wire and Safety Cable Company, Rome Wire Company, and Standard Underground Cable. General Cable was owned by Penn Central from 1981 to 1992.
Products.
General Cable produces copper and aluminum wire, and optical fiber, as well as electrical cable products for the energy, construction, industrial, specialty and communications markets. The company's power cables include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products. General Cable's application-specific industrial and specialty cables are used in electrical power generation — traditional and renewable — the oil, gas and petrochemical industries; mining; industrial automation; automotive, marine, and transit; and military, aerospace and OEM applications. Its communications wire and cable products transmit low-voltage signals for voice, data, video and control applications. General Cable sells its products under several brands including Anaconda®, Carol®, GenSPEED®, NextGen®, NSW®, NUAL®, Prestolite Wire®, Silec® and STABILOY®.
Corporate information.
Logo.
When General Cable officially formed in 1927, the company introduced its first trademark logo, declaring a unified corporate identity to its customers, investors, suppliers, and associates.
Since the original 1927 version, the company's logo has been modified five times. Today, the trademarked logo consists of the "General Cable" stylized black text with a green "Reuleaux triangle" on the left, which is a modernized version of the 1927 symbol.
Locations.
General Cable's global headquarters is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. This facility, which also serves as the North American headquarters and employs approximately 400 associates, has been operating since 1992.
General Cable operates internationally, with regional business operations in North America, Latin America, and Europe. The company has a global network of manufacturing facilities in core markets, with sales representation and distribution worldwide.
Employees.
In 2016, General Cable employed 11,000 associates working in manufacturing plants, distribution centers, technology centers, sales offices, and at corporate headquarters for the development, design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of copper, aluminum, and fiber optic wire and cable products.
In June 2013, General Cable placed 17th among the 40 top midsized (150 to 499 employees) companies in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. Subcategories included company direction, managers, execution, pay and benefits, career, and conditions.
Company culture.
Green initiative.
General Cable implemented green initiatives to push the company to develop environmentally conscious strategies amidst their global presence. General Cable's "Green Alternative Approach" identifies green opportunities such as green cabling solutions whenever possible; the company states that this includes "promoting existing green products; partnering with key customers in their green endeavors; identifying and providing resources for green product gaps; and participating as members in the U.S. Green Building Council and collaborative ventures such as the Green Suppliers Network (GSN)."
Lean Six Sigma.
In 2000, General Cable began its Lean Six Sigma journey to eliminate waste and non-value-added processes in manufacturing and everyday business, improving the flow of information and materials. The initiative strives to drive improvement while maintaining reliable, effective outcomes and delivering savings to the company's bottom line.
"Industry Week's" Best Plants Award Program, an annual recognition of manufacturing facilities that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create stimulating work environments, has recognized several General Cable North American plants. Since 2001, General Cable has had eight of its 18 North American plants selected as finalists in the Best Plants competition. To date, seven of those manufacturing facilities have gone on to achieve the title of one of the Top 10 Best Plants in North America.
The 12 Principles of Manufacturing Excellence.
In 2011, Larry E Fast, former CEO of General Cable published The 12 Principles of Manufacturing Excellence: A Leader's Guide to Achieving and Sustaining Excellence.
Foreign bribery.
In 2016, the company was ordered to pay over $75 million to resolve both SEC and Department of Justice investigations into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for making illicit payments to government officials in Africa and Asia.