Is there hope for better price-settings in the cable industry?

As everyone in the cable industry might know, the C2 price has been showing an upward trend for about 1,5 years. This trend has continued during the first months of 2022. However, we see some stabilization but aren’t sure this will stay. The summertime is ahead but due to global market situation on crude oil and gas it would be a rough guess what the price of C2 will do. It is likely that it will increase within this or next month. This shows the price settings in the cable industry are hard to predict at the moment.

Material pricing

Polyolefins

The C2 price has, of course, a direct impact on our polyolefin prices. These prices have been rising every month in the last 1,5 year as well. Partly due to the C2 feedstock developments but also other key factors on logistics and availability versus the increasing market demand have an effect on the development of the price settings.

Raw materials

We as HEC-Holland have a wide range of raw materials. We have different types of tapes, wires, yarns, FRP rods and so on. In 2021, the price of these materials increased the most, but this year they continued to increase every month. It is hard to predict how long this will continue to rise. Or will the stabilizing C2 price directly affect these materials?

Logistical pricing

In addition to the product price increase, the logistical/transport prices have also been rising for the last few years. Before COVID-19, at the beginning of 2020, the price for a 40 feet sea container from Shanghai to Rotterdam was about $2,000. At the peak, at the beginning of 2022, this price went over the $15,000. Hereafter, the prices went down a bit, and now it’s stabilizing for months. The sea freight price for a 40 feet container is now about $11,000.

In contrast to the stabilizing sea freight prices, road transport has increased a lot lately. The main reason is the war between Russia and Ukraine. This war resulted in high fuel prices and a shortage of available drivers. Lastly, the workload has also increased since international traffic is constantly increasing.

Conclusion

To conclude the price settings in the cable industry, the prices of our products and the transport prices are still rising, but there is some hope for improvement. But, no one can predict the future. We recommend that you contact your account manager to discuss what possibilities HEC-Holland is able to offer you, in order to secure your (future) production requirements. Furthermore, he or she is able to update you about the latest market developments and trends. This could be helpful to keep on track and think strategically ahead.

Wire Düsseldorf 2022

HEC-Holland Wire

Wire in Düsseldorf

From 20 to 24 June 2022, the world’s leading trade fair in the cable industry “Wire Düsseldorf” (International Trade Fair for Wire and Cable) will be held. After a couple of years of due to Covid-19, the fair will open their doors again at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. Here manufacturers gather to showcase their products and services as well as innovative technologies, new machinery and equipment from different global sectors. Each year this fair has been a networking hotspot for the whole wire and cable market. Innovators, investors, suppliers, manufacturors and more gather for the latest innovations for the market. The last 10 years we have been a visitor to this trade fair to lay valuable connections, but this year our approach will be different.

HEC-Holland as exhibitor

For the first time since our establishment in 2010, we are proud to announce we will host our own stand. We always wanted to exhibit here. Due to our continuing growth we were finally able to accomplish this. We would like to invite you to our stand H39 in Hall 11 and meet up. And please make sure you don’t miss out on: seeing our products on display, competing in our contest and tasting some Dutch delights.

Besides the stand we have a meeting room for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This means that we could arrange a meeting with you, if you would prefer this. Please contact one of our Account Managers or email us on our email address. More information about the Wire show and our stand can be found here!

We hope to see you there on stand H39 in Hall 11!

The availability of aluminum

Aluminium tape

“Aluminum prices keep on rising”, “aluminum isn’t available”, “aluminum stocks have fallen to critical levels”. These are just a handful of headlines out of the news from the past year. Due to a broad variety of reasons the prices of all raw materials, including aluminum keep on rising and the availability of aluminum is getting less. This also affects the wire and cable market and we as supplier of materials specific for the cable and wire market are seeing the disadvantages these developments bring with them.

Right at the start of this situation, HEC saw an opportunity instead of a threat. Our HEC Shanghai Office kept on building a good and solid relationship with our aluminum supplier. This lead to ongoing supplies of aluminum at a good price. In the same time, our supplier has been looking into their own supply chain. They made sure the supply chain was optimized for a solid cooperation with HEC-Holland.

This collaboration, combined with the ability to slit aluminum tapes in our own warehouse in The Netherlands (after the purchase of an aluminum cutter last year), made HEC-Holland a stable factor in the market.

Currently, HEC is able to keep the availability of aluminum up and supply the customer with the needed materials, which is something we are very proud of.

We will keep collaborating with our partners to be able to deliver the best quality, for the best price. This way, we are sure we won’t let our customers down.

Curious about opportunities in the cable and wire market for your company? Feel free to contact your account manager or send us an e-mail.

Introducing Nicole Brockötter

Nicole Brockotter

Introducing Nicole Brockötter – Who am I?

My name is Nicole Brockötter; I am 51 years old and live in a small town called Duiven, nearby Arnhem.

About 10 years ago, I started working at HEC-Holland as a Commercial Assistant. After a few years of experience in this position I was promoted to Account Manager. In this role, I am responsible for the Benelux and the German market.

Being raised as a german bi-lingual is a huge advantage in this field. It allows me to communicate with customers in their own language.

Genuine interest in others and humour go hand in hand with me. As a result, I like to make contact and get energy from maintaining and expanding my network. I believe I have an eye for detail, a passion for representing my job and like to share my knowledge with others.

It’s all about bringing real value to both parties and the best way to do this is by building strong and long-lasting partnerships through reliability and in-depth knowledge of markets, products and customers situation.

I see myself as an outgoing, open minded, spontaneous, and loyal person who likes to achieve goals and building relationships with colleagues and customers.

Besides work, I enjoy going out with my daughter, friends and family. I live together with my daughter and our animal friends Shiva, a French Bulldog, and my 2 cats Cooper and Schimanski. Furthermore, a glass of wine and a nice meal in a fancy restaurant won’t be turned down from my side.

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, contact me by phone or e-mail.

Introducing Karin Dekker

Introducing Karin Dekker

Introducing Karin Dekker

Today we are introducing Karin Dekker. 

Hi, I live with my family in a small town not far from Arnhem, the Netherlands.

With a career spanning over two decades in a prominent Dutch financial institution, I made a pivotal decision to embark on a career break. During this time I dedicated my time to nurturing and caring for my two sons. As they have now grown into teenagers, a new chapter has begun. One filled with exciting business prospects. My new journey led me to HEC-Holland, where I have found an inspiring path to explore.

Within the dynamic HEC-Holland team, I have proudly taken the role of Sales Assistant. My role revolves around the meticulous operational management and follow-up of commercialized ventures. Even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am steadfast in my belief that my role will soon evolve into a more comprehensive and multifaceted one.

HEC-Holland, a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship, has been a rewarding platform for personal and professional growth. The company’s ethos aligns seamlessly with my ambitions, and I am thrilled to be part of this forward-thinking organization. It’s in this setting that I’ve uncovered opportunities to hone my skills and broaden my horizons. Each day brings new challenges and learning experiences that keep me motivated and invigorated.

My future at HEC

In this era of uncertainty, I am confident that my tenure with HEC-Holland will continue to evolve, allowing me to contribute my best to the team’s success. With a firm foundation built upon years of financial expertise and a renewed sense of purpose, I look forward to the future with optimism and a spirit of exploration. The synergy between my past and present makes each day a step forward on my exciting journey with HEC-Holland.

If any questions arise, please get in contact with our team! You can also find more information about Karin on her LinkedIn page.