Centelsa

What Centelsa does

Centelsa by Nexans is the Colombian operating subsidiary of Nexans S.A., a French-headquartered, publicly listed (Euronext Paris: NEX) global cable and optical fiber manufacturer. Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Colombia, Centelsa manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of electrical cables and wires spanning low voltage copper and aluminum insulated cables, bare copper and aluminum conductors (ACSR, AAC, AAAC, ECRC, ACSS, ACAR), medium and high voltage cables, self-supporting multiplex and covered overhead conductors, service entrance cables, premium solar cables, and specialty fire-resistant (AS+, HHFR-LS) and submersible pump cables. Production runs through two Colombian plants (Yumbo 3 in Valle del Cauca and Bucaramanga), with a technical and commercial center, CEDETEC, in Quito, Ecuador. Service offerings layered on top of the hardware portfolio include the Mobiway™ cable handling family, the Nexans App for THHN/THWN-2 wire authenticity verification, Nexans Línea Plus enhanced PVC products, Nexans MULTIFLEX specialty flexible cables, and Metro a Metro precision marking on bare copper from 8 AWG upward.

The company's go-to-market is sales-led and channel-driven: it sells through Nexans' own digital and sales infrastructure, an extensive Colombian distributor and channel-partner network, and direct engagement for larger projects, supplemented by the "Electrifica tu Pasión" loyalty rewards program and the Charlas Masivas annual technical roadshow. Revenue is generated almost entirely through hardware sales of certified cable products; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The customer base is diversified across four primary verticals — construction and building, power transmission and distribution (utilities), renewable energy and solar EPC, and special applications covering mining, ports, airports, and EV charging infrastructure — with RETIE certification serving as the regulatory entry requirement in the Colombian market. The company employs between 501 and 1,000 people, holds strong brand equity under the combined "Centelsa by Nexans" identity (a 70-year-old domestic brand layered onto the global Nexans reputation), and actively enforces its trademarks, securing a record Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio condemnation exceeding $500 million COP in late 2025 against a Bogota-based seller of counterfeit products.

Strategically, Centelsa positions itself as the "pure electrification player" of the Nexans group in Colombia, leveraging parent-group R&D, technology, and global distribution while maintaining local manufacturing presence and market knowledge. Recent strategic emphasis has been on the energy transition (solar cable portfolio, renewable energy narrative aligned to a global 80% renewables target), specialty safety cables for life-critical applications, anti-counterfeiting technology and enforcement, and ecosystem engagement with installers and specifiers through virtual plant tours, technical seminars, and loyalty programs. The business model is fundamentally industrial B2B, with revenue tied to construction cycles, utility capex, and increasingly renewable energy build-out in Colombia and the broader Andean region.

Name

Centelsa

Legal name

Centelsa by Nexans

Website

https://centelsa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Cables & Wires

NAICS

Communication and Energy Wire and Cable Manufacturing (33592), Current-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing (335931), Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing (335929)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Utility & Underground Distribution Cable (URD/Substation) (IMADAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transmission & Distribution Line Equipment (Bushings, Insulators, Arresters, Conductors, Hardware) (IMAGAAAF), Line Protection & Clearance Products (covered conductors, spacer cable, wildlife/bird diverters, line markers) (EUADADAK), Medium-Voltage Distribution Components (MV breakers, disconnects, reclosers, MV terminations & joints) (IMAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Electrical cable manufacturing
• Power transmission cables
• Low voltage cables
• Solar energy cables
• Fire-resistant cables

Headquarters

HQ city

Colômbia

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electrical cable and wire sales: Design, manufacturing, and sale of a comprehensive range of electrical cables and wires including low voltage copper cables, aluminum cables, bare copper and aluminum conductors (ACSR, AAC, AAAC, ECRC, ACSS, ACAR), medium voltage cables, high voltage cables, self-supporting multiplex cables, covered/semi-insulated overhead cables, service entrance cables, and special application cables (fire-resistant AS+, submersible pump cables). Revenue is generated through direct sales and channel partner distribution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Centelsa by Nexans designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of electrical cables and wires for the Colombian and broader Latin American markets. Its product portfolio spans low voltage copper and aluminum cables, bare conductors, medium and high voltage transmission cables, self-supporting multiplex and covered overhead cables, premium solar cables, and specialty fire-resistant and submersible pump cables. The company also offers cable handling solutions and an anti-counterfeiting authentication app for THHN/THWN-2 wires.

Product overview

Centelsa by Nexans is a pure electrification player offering a comprehensive portfolio of electrical cables and solutions for the Colombian and Latin American markets. The portfolio spans multiple interconnected product lines: Construction Cables (low voltage copper and aluminum cables with PVC insulation, bare copper wires, service entry cables), Power Transmission and Distribution Networks (medium voltage, high voltage cables, bare aluminum conductors in various types including ACSR/AAC/AAAC/ECRC/ACSS/ACAR, self-supporting multiplex cables, tree wire/covered cables), Premium Solar Systems Cables (specialized cables for solar farms and rooftop installations under the Oferta Solar Nexans umbrella), and Special Application Cables (fire-resistant AS+ power cables and submersible pump cables). Service offerings include the Mobiway™ cable handling product line (Un'reel, MOB, POP), Nexans App for product authenticity verification of THHN/THWN-2 wires, Nexans Línea Plus enhanced PVC insulation products, Nexans MULTIFLEX flexible cables, Nexans Seguridad Ante Incendios fire safety solutions with halogen-free cables, and the Metro a Metro precision marking service. The company positions itself as addressing the global 40% increase in electricity demand expected by 2040, with solutions supporting the 80% of new energy expected from renewable sources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cables de Construcción Nexans A comprehensive line of electrical cables designed for construction applications, including low voltage copper cables, low voltage aluminum cables, bare copper wires, and service entry cables for residential, commercial, and industrial building infrastructure.
• Redes de Transmisión y Distribución de Energía Complete portfolio of power transmission and distribution network cables including medium voltage, high voltage, bare aluminum conductors, self-supporting multiplex, covered tree-wire, and bare copper cables for utilities and energy companies.
• Cables Premium para Sistemas Solares Premium solar cables for photovoltaic systems including solar farms and rooftop solar installations, supporting the global trend of 80% of new energy coming from renewable sources.
• Cables para Aplicaciones Especiales Special application cables including fire-resistant AS+ power cables and submersible pump cables for demanding environments such as mining, ports, airports, and electric vehicle charging stations.
• Cables de Potencia AS+ Resistentes al fuego High-security fire-resistant power cables designed for critical infrastructure and life-safety applications where fire resistance is essential.
• Cables Para Bombas Sumergibles Electric submersible pump cables designed for submerged applications such as water wells and pumping operations.
• Cables de Aluminio Desnudo (ACSR, AAC, AAAC, ECRC, ACSS, ACAR) Bare aluminum overhead conductors in various configurations including ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced), AAC (All Aluminum Conductor), AAAC (All Aluminum Alloy Conductor), ECRC, ACSS, and ACAR for overhead power transmission lines.
• Cables Multiplex Autosoportados Self-supporting multiplex cables designed for aerial distribution networks.
• Cables Cubiertos (Tree-Wire / Semiaislados) Covered overhead cables (tree wire) for distribution in areas with vegetation proximity.
• Cables Libres de Halógenos HHFR-LS Halogen-free fire-resistant cables with low smoke emission, designed to improve safety in case of fire by not emitting toxic halogens.
• Gama Mobiway Cable handling product family including Mobiway Un'reel, Mobiway MOB, and Mobiway POP, providing efficient solutions for cable manipulation, handling, and installation.
• Nexans App Mobile application enabling customers to verify the authenticity of THHN/THWN-2 wires using new anti-counterfeiting technology, protecting customers from counterfeit cables in the Colombian market.
• Nexans Línea Plus Premium product line offering additional benefits during use for cables with PVC insulation, enhancing performance and reliability.
• Nexans MULTIFLEX Specialty flexible cable solutions for various applications requiring enhanced flexibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• A record condemnation of over $500 million COP was obtained by the company against a seller of counterfeit products in Colombia, demonstrating the company's active brand protection and market enforcement capabilities.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Nexans S.A.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerNexans S.A. (France-based global cable group) owns and operates Centelsa as 'Centelsa by Nexans,' the pure electrification player for the Nexans group in Colombia. Centelsa benefits from Nexans' global technology, R&D, brand, and distribution network while maintaining its local manufacturing presence and market knowledge.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Southwire Company: One of North America's largest wire and cable manufacturers with overlapping LV building wire, MV/HV, and bare conductor products; relevant benchmark for product breadth and channel strategy.
• Prysmian Group: Global cable manufacturer and direct competitor across LV/MV/HV power cables, conductors, and specialty cables; competes with Nexans/Centelsa in Latin American utilities, construction, and renewable energy projects.
• Conductores Monterrey (Viakable): Mexican manufacturer of power, telecom, and specialty cables under the Viakable group; directly competes with Centelsa across LV/MV power cables, conductors, and renewable energy cable solutions in Latin America.
• Encore Wire: U.S. manufacturer of LV building wire (including THHN/THWN-2), bare copper, and MV cable; directly comparable product mix to Centelsa's construction and T&D offerings.
• Condumex: Mexican cable and conductor manufacturer with broad LV/MV power cable and bare conductor lines; serves utilities, construction, and telecom across Latin America in direct competition with Centelsa.

Emerging players

• Belden Inc. Specialty cable and connectivity solutions provider focused on industrial, broadcast, and enterprise networks; adjacent overlap with Centelsa on specialty fire-resistant and high-performance cable segments.

Broad incumbents

• Leoni AG: European cable and wiring systems manufacturer with power, specialty, and industrial cable offerings; relevant broad comparable for product portfolio and specialty cable positioning.
• Furukawa Electric: Japanese cable and optical fiber group with manufacturing in Latin America (Brazil and neighboring markets); overlaps with Centelsa in power cables, telecom, and energy infrastructure.
• Nexans S.A. Parent company and global cable leader; operates the same product categories worldwide and provides R&D, brand, and distribution leverage to Centelsa in Colombia.

Regional players

• Procables (Peru): Andean-region cable manufacturer serving Peru with LV/MV cables, conductors, and specialty products; competes for similar utility and construction customers in the Pacific corridor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nexans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Centelsa