Southwire, a global wire and cable manufacturer, has been powering telecommunications for nearly 75 years. The company’s acquisition of American Insulated Wire in 2010 and introduction of TelcoFlex® to its offering propelled its growth in the industry. Since that time, Southwire has set a new benchmark for quality and speed-to-market in telecom power. Known in the telecom industry for its TelcoFlex® product, Southwire also manufactures discrete power, pre-terminated power assemblies, and communication cables, to name a few.
TelcoFlex® remains central to Southwire’s broader vision, according to Jackie Deboer, Director of Telecom at Southwire. “TelcoFlex® is what launched us into telecom —it’s our roots in this market. But our solutions for the communications industry extend well beyond that with, for example, Class 4 products, data center cabling solutions, and a full range of installation tools and equipment,” Deboer emphasized.
Supporting the Broader Digital Infrastructure Space
Southwire’s impact on the industry has broadened over the last five years to include power for modern telecom towers. “We are a Tier 1 carrier-approved supplier of discrete power cables that run vertically up the tower to power the radio heads,” said Deboer. “We have also expanded to include hybrid fiber cables that combine the power and fiber for that same tower application,” added Deboer. With its robust manufacturing capabilities, Southwire is able to scale quickly to meet the increasing demands of 5G networks and evolving technology requirements.
Southwire® CL4SS™ Class 4 Cable
Southwire’s strategic partnership with Voltserver has led to a significant advancement in power cable technology with its new CL4SS™ digital electricity product, which launched in early fall. “Class 4 cable is used with a fault-managed system that provides a safer alternative for running high voltage. It’s an improvement in technology, with minimal distance limitations, and can safely provide up to 450 Volts DC,” Deboer explained. While applications for this product are still emerging, Deboer says Southwire is committed to transforming power delivery in both telecom and data center environments.
Data Centers
The explosion of AI continues to drive data consumption and Southwire’s power reach is supporting that growth from the substation all the way through the data center. Its capabilities include all high and medium voltage cable as well as 600-volt solutions down to the category cable in a data center build-out. Southwire’s data center custom cabling solutions are built specifically for mission-critical data center environments, all with UL Listed components as a complete UL Listed Wire Assembly. And Southwire’s SIMpull Solutions® platform enables safer and more productive construction cycles for the contractors, said Deboer.
Made in America: Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
Southwire takes pride in its American-made wire and cable products. “We originated in Carrollton, Georgia, and still maintain our headquarters there,” Deboer explained. With 34 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and 15 customer service centers, Southwire controls every step of its process. “Being vertically integrated allows us to manage everything from copper rod production to final packaging, which ensures the highest quality while reducing lead times.” All TelcoFlex® cable products meet Build America, Buy American (BABA) compliance for telecom/5G deployment funded through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Southwire’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its partnership with The Copper Mark, a globally recognized certification that promotes responsible production in the copper industry. Three of Southwire’s manufacturing sites—Bremen, IN; Lafayette, IN; and Denton, TX —have achieved The Copper Mark certification, showcasing the company’s dedication to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
“The Copper Mark demonstrates the highest standard of responsible production and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Deboer said. This partnership supports Southwire’s mission of building a sustainable copper value chain and helps its customers meet their own responsible sourcing goals, ensuring that products meet the highest environmental, social, and ethical standards. Southwire’s 2023 Sustainability Report highlights the company’s deep commitment to reducing its environmental impact, driving ethical practices, and contributing to a sustainable future. A key part of Southwire’s environmental efforts is its focus on product transparency. The company has more than 100 products with independently verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), covering over 90% of its wire and cable products.
As Southwire continues to innovate and broaden its reach in the market with end-to-end solutions that complement the TelcoFlex® line and meet a wider range of customer needs, Deboer is confident the company is positioned to remain a key player in the ever-evolving telecom and data center industries for years to come.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit https://go.southwire.com/telecomshowcase.
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