Superior Essex

What Superior Essex does

Superior Essex is a privately held global manufacturer and distributor of wire and cable products, organized as the parent company of three operating groups: Essex Solutions (magnet wire/enameled copper wire for automotive, energy, industrial, commercial, and residential end-uses), Superior Solutions (Superior Essex Communications fiber optic and broadband cable plus Essex Brownell magnet wire distribution), and Superior Essex Services (shared IT). The company controls the full magnet wire value chain from oxygen-free copper rod production (Lacroix + Kress in Germany), through wire enamels and insulation chemistry (IVA Insulations across the U.S., France, and China), to finished magnet wire, specialty wire, and distribution — with 12 magnet wire plants, 3 communications cable plants, 3 chemical processing facilities, and 14 distribution facilities across 11 countries on three continents, employing more than 3,000 people.

The company's commercial focus is on four enterprise verticals: automotive OEMs — particularly for xEV traction motors — energy and power generation equipment manufacturers, industrial motor/generator/transformer producers, and telecommunications carriers and broadband infrastructure providers. It sells through direct enterprise field sales with regional presidents in North America, Europe, and Asia, and through the Essex Brownell distribution network for repair shops and smaller manufacturers. Strategic recent activity has centered on consolidating ownership (acquiring Lacroix + Kress from Mutares in Q1 2023 and buying out Furukawa Electric's stake in the Essex Furukawa joint venture in April 2024), expanding U.S. communications cable capacity for BEAD-funded broadband ($73M Brownwood, TX expansion), and unifying the magnet wire business under the Essex Solutions brand in August 2024.

Superior Essex is a subsidiary of South Korea's LS Group (LS Cable & System), which acquired the original Essex Wire Corporation in 1999. The company traces its history to Essex Wire Corporation's 1948 founding and is led by Daniel Choi (President & CEO of Essex Solutions from July 2025) with regional presidents for North America (Jared Rowntree), Europe (Klaus Borstner), and Asia (Zack Jiwoon Kim). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; revenue is not reported.

Name

Superior Essex

Legal name

Superior Essex Inc.

Website

http://www.superioressex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Superior Essex is a private global manufacturer and distributor of magnet wire, communications fiber optic cable, oxygen-free copper rod, and wire enamels serving automotive OEMs, energy, industrial, and telecom customers across 11 countries through Essex Solutions, Superior Solutions, and Superior Essex Services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices29 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Magnet Wire Products: Core revenue from manufacturing and selling magnet wire (enameled copper wire) for automotive, energy, industrial, commercial and residential applications. Vertical integration from rod production through finished magnet wire.
2. Communications Cable Products: Revenue from manufacturing fiber optic cables, drop fiber, hybrid cables, and OSP (outside plant) cables for telecommunications infrastructure, 5G deployment, and broadband buildouts.
3. Distribution (Essex Brownell): International distribution of magnet wire and ancillary products used to build and repair motors, generators, transformers, and electrical components, including custom fabrication and rewind services.
4. Specialty Wire and Enamels: Revenue from specialty wire products, wire enamels, and insulation materials through IVA Insulations and Lacroix + Kress operations in Europe.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Superior Essex is the parent company of Essex Solutions, Superior Solutions (comprising Superior Essex Communications and Essex Brownell), and Superior Essex Services. The company designs, manufactures and supplies magnet wire (enameled copper wire), fiber optic and hybrid communications cables, oxygen-free copper rod, wire enamels, and specialty wire products for automotive, energy, industrial, and telecommunications OEMs across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Product overview

Superior Essex is a global manufacturing and distribution company operating as a platform of interconnected business units. The company is organized under three main segments: Superior Solutions (communications infrastructure and wire distribution), Essex Solutions (magnet wire manufacturing), and Superior Essex Services (global IT). The core product portfolio includes magnet wire manufactured by Essex Solutions for automotive, energy, and industrial applications; communications cable (fiber optic, drop fiber, hybrid cables) by Superior Essex Communications; and magnet wire distribution by Essex Brownell. Vertical integration is achieved through IVA Insulations (wire enamels), Lacroix + Kress (oxygen-free copper rod), and Hi-Wire (specialty wire distribution). LPI Global provides electrical construction and installation services. All operations span three continents with manufacturing in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lacroix + Kress: Oxygen-free copper rod manufacturer in Europe with locations in Bramsche and Neunburg vorm Wald, Germany
• IVA Insulations (IVA Enamels)
• Hi-Wire
• MagForceX Innovation Centers
• Essex Active

Products and services

• Essex Solutions (Magnet Wire) Manufactures magnet wire (enameled copper wire) for OEMs in the automotive, energy, industrial, commercial and residential sectors. Operates with vertical integration of R&D, rod and enamel production, and distribution across 12 plants on three continents.
• Superior Essex Communications (Communications Cable) Leading manufacturer and supplier of communications cable in North America, specializing in OSP fiber optic cables, drop fiber, and hybrid cables. Focused on Power over Ethernet (PoE), intelligent buildings and cities, and 5G fiber infrastructure.
• Essex Brownell (Magnet Wire Distribution) International distributor of magnet wire and ancillary products used to build and repair motors, generators, transformers, and electrical components. Operates 14 global distribution facilities and provides custom fabrication and rewind services.
• Lacroix + Kress (Oxygen-Free Copper Rod) Leading oxygen-free copper (OFC) drawing manufacturer in Europe. Specializes in OFC rod manufacturing with operations in Bramsche and Neunburg vorm Wald, Germany, supplying a key component for electric vehicles and magnet wire production.
• IVA Insulations (Wire Enamels) Produces high-performance wire enamels and insulation materials for the magnet wire industry. Operates chemical processing facilities in Fort Wayne, IN (USA), Lyon-Meyzieu (France), and Changzhou (China).
• Hi-Wire (Specialty Wire Distribution) Specialty wire distribution business operating in the United Kingdom as part of Essex Solutions.
• LPI Global (Electrical Construction Services) Provides electrical construction services including high-quality cable and wire products as well as full-service installation solutions for large-scale infrastructure projects and specialized industrial applications.
• Essex Active (Custom Fabrication and Rewind Services) Custom fabrication and rewind services offered through Essex Brownell converting facilities for motors, generators, transformers, and electrical components.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero Waste to Landfill certification achieved at Hoisington, Kansas plant
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2024Superior Essex completed acquisition of the remaining minority interest in Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire from Furukawa Electric. The joint venture began in October 2020 with the aim of leveraging combined experience and knowledge to drive innovation and deliver manufacturing excellence. The acquisition establishes Superior Essex as sole owner of the brand, assets, and operations including facilities in Japan and Malaysia.
• Mutares SE & Co. KGaAminorOthers · 10 January 2023Mutares sold its portfolio company Lacroix + Kress GmbH to Superior Essex Global LLC. The sale followed Mutares' 'Best New Owner' approach and enables vertical integration between the companies. Lacroix + Kress specializes in oxygen-free copper rod manufacturing in Europe.
• Delta Air LinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2023Partnership for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions from Superior Essex and subsidiary brands' air travel over the next year on Delta operated flights. SAF reduces lifecycle carbon emissions of aviation fuel by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• LS Cable & System: South Korean parent of Superior Essex and one of the world's largest wire and cable manufacturers, producing magnet wire, communications cable, and power cables with global operations. Directly comparable product portfolio and end-market exposure, and the consolidation vehicle behind Superior Essex's international expansion.
• Furukawa Electric: Japanese magnet wire and cable manufacturer that was Superior Essex's joint venture partner in Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire until Superior Essex bought out its minority stake in April 2024. Closest direct peer in magnet wire technology, customer base (automotive traction motors), and global manufacturing footprint in Japan and Malaysia.
• Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals): Major Japanese manufacturer of magnet wire, electrical materials, and specialty metals serving automotive and industrial markets globally. Highly comparable on magnet wire product line, automotive OEM relationships (including EV traction motors), and emphasis on advanced materials and enameling technology.
• CommScope: U.S. communications infrastructure provider of fiber optic cable, broadband, and structured cabling solutions serving carriers and enterprise customers. Direct overlap with Superior Essex Communications' broadband, OSP fiber, and drop fiber products targeting the same BEAD and carrier customers.
• Belden: U.S. manufacturer of signal transmission and connectivity cables, including fiber optic and copper communications cable for enterprise, industrial, and broadband markets. Closely comparable product portfolio to Superior Essex Communications and similar North American customer base.
• Rea Magnet Wire: U.S.-based magnet wire manufacturer serving automotive, industrial, and energy customers. Closest U.S. domestic peer to Essex Solutions in product category (enameled copper and aluminum magnet wire) and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Sumitomo Electric Industries: Large Japanese diversified manufacturer with magnet wire, automotive wiring harnesses, and fiber optic cable businesses. Comparable across both Superior Essex segments (magnet wire and communications cable) but operates as part of a much broader industrial portfolio.
• Prysmian Group: Global leader in power and telecommunications cables, with a strong fiber optic cable business in North America and Europe. Comparable on the communications cable side and on the broadband infrastructure theme that Superior Essex Communications addresses via BEAD, though magnet wire is not a Prysmian product.
• Nexans: French global cable manufacturer serving energy, telecom, and industrial markets with submarine, fiber, and power cables. Comparable on the communications and power cable side and as a European-headquartered industry incumbent; does not focus on magnet wire.
• Corning Incorporated: Leading U.S. manufacturer of optical fiber and fiber optic cable with strong relationships to telecom carriers and broadband network operators. Adjacent rather than direct — Corning supplies fiber that goes into cables like Superior Essex Communications' — but a critical comparable for the U.S. broadband infrastructure theme.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/superior-essex
• Xx.com/superioressex

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Superior Essex