As meticulously noted by a press release, on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. (EST), the first copper bar was cast at Southwire's new, state-of-the-art copper rod plant located in Carrollton, Georgia. The company hailed the moment as "a key milestone in the start-up of the largest and most sophisticated Southwire Continuous Rod (SCR) system in the world."
In 1963, Southwire patented its SCR technology, which transformed the wire and cable industry. (The manufacturer contends that "more than half of all copper rod in the world has passed through a SCR system in some capacity.") In 1981, Southwire started the operation of its current copper rod system in Carrollton; four decades later, the company noted that copper continues to be the primary source of metal for the its wire and cable operations.
During the groundbreaking for the new facility, Lee Richards, Southwire board member and son of the company’s founder, Roy Richards, Sr., remarked:
“On December 9, more than 40 years ago, my dad drove my siblings and I to the existing rod plant. The plant was completed, and we watched it start production that night. My dad always believed that there was a more efficient way to make copper and aluminum rod, and the SCR system development was the result of this belief.
The company stated that the new rod manufacturing plant in Carrollton will, through its cutting-edge technology and practices, produce more copper rod than any other SCR system, while encompassing a smaller environmental footprint.
Significantly, in support of the company's Carbon Zero initiative to achieve 100% carbon free energy for its operations by 2025, Southwire stated that it is partnering with Carroll EMC to utilize all renewable electricity for the facility.
Will Berry, senior vice president of modernization at Southwire, remarked:
"It is truly an exciting day for Southwire. Our company is where it is today because of these copper rod plants, and starting up a new copper rod system is like starting a brand new chapter in our history. It's a great time to be at this point; a perfect moment to build on all that we have already accomplished. Mr. Richards' philosophy was 'build it big, and grow into it' - and we're already growing into it. This place gives you energy - you can feel the anticipation around this facility and this system, and I'm proud of the team that has worked diligently to get the plant up and running. I believe that we're sending a message to the local community that we’re here for the long haul and, at the same time, providing an international showcase for SCR technology."
Southwire plans to celebrate the facility's official grand opening in mid-April.
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