Raw material prices, wire and cable lines face the most serious problems in the industry




The wire and cable industry is currently facing its most severe challenges, with raw material prices, especially copper, aluminum, and plastics, reaching record highs. This has placed immense pressure on manufacturers, as production costs have surged dramatically. The situation shows no signs of improvement in the near future. Industry experts believe that China is entering the early stages of heavy chemical development, and the high-cost era is now upon us. As a result, rising input costs are becoming an unavoidable trend. While demand remains strong, expecting raw material prices to return to previous levels is unrealistic. To address this, improving market mechanisms and implementing government policies to curb irrational price hikes—such as monopolistic practices and speculative behavior—has become essential. These measures are not only crucial for maintaining a healthy national economy but also vital for the sustainable development of the wire and cable sector. With raw materials like copper and aluminum accounting for over 80% of product costs, any significant price increase directly impacts overall expenses. Energy, transportation, and labor costs have also risen, further squeezing profit margins. As costs continue to climb, it's difficult for companies to raise product prices without losing competitiveness. This has led to increasingly fierce competition, particularly in the low-end market where products offer little technological value. Price wars have become common, and some cable firms are already suffering losses. Industry leaders point to the root cause: excessive investment, overcapacity, and oversupply. The low entry barriers have attracted too many players, leading to a saturated market. It's reported that there are over 5,000 wire and cable companies in China, many of which operate at a loss due to overproduction. Moreover, the low threshold allows unqualified enterprises to enter the market, producing substandard products that undermine fair competition. These companies often cut corners, use inferior materials, and sell cheap, shoddy goods, further destabilizing the market. Recently, several cable companies have expressed frustration over the unsustainable copper prices. Some have even halted production. Despite this, there are still orders, and some users are reluctant to accept higher prices caused by rising copper costs. In response, some companies are signing contracts with fixed pricing, even if it means operating at a loss. This practice has been criticized as a "hidden clause" within the industry, highlighting the desperate situation many firms are in. With aluminum prices also spiking last year, the entire cable industry has been hit hard. Many companies are calling on power grid operators to revise bidding processes and adjust contract prices to help them survive. The road ahead remains uncertain, but without intervention, the industry may face long-term instability.

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Hexagon nuts (also known as finished hexagon nuts) are available in ASTM A563-A and are compatible with mild steel Bolts, such as ASTM A307, ASTM F1554 Grade 36, SAE Grade 2 and AASHTO M183. SAE Grade 5 and Grade 8 nuts are also available in finished style. Since hot-dip galvanizing usually increases the thickness of the threaded part of the fastener by 2.2 to 5 mils, the thread size of the galvanized hexagon nut is too large to compensate for the anti-corrosion coating on the bolt.
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