Nexans bets big on Fergus cable plant amid electrification surge

Canada has shed roughly half a million manufacturing jobs since the early 2000s, but in Fergus, one plant isn’t just holding on, it’s busier than it’s been in years.

As the world increasingly electrifies, Nexans’ Fergus plant is pivoting hard toward cables needed to address the demands of an electrified era.

Between Canada’s ambitious trillion-dollar grid buildout and skyrocketing demand for power across the board, Fergus is part of Nexans solution to the industry’s mounting supply chain challenges.

The France-headquartered global electrification leader is investing over $40 million into its operations across the country, and a key part of its strategy to scale its abilities and build an integrated North American business. 

“The moment demands scale, investment, and innovation — and Nexans is ready. From our Montreal copper rod mill, the only one in Canada which forms the strong foundation of our four manufacturing plants, including Fergus - we now have the largest manufacturing footprint in Canada, which gives us the scale and capabilities to solve the industry’s most challenging supply chain issues.

We also have the global advantage which allows us to draw on resources from operations in 40 countries around the world to enhance our capabilities and achieve our vision to be the preferred supplier in the industry. 

This is why, on its 60th anniversary, the Fergus plant and the people who keep it running, are more important than ever.” King said, noting the strategy offers an antidote to trade instability, like tariffs.

“We feel we’re in a super growth cycle,” King said. 

A transition King believes would normally take up to two years is being prioritized into a much shorter time frame.

“The assets we’re bringing into Fergus is to meet that demand,” King said.

Nexans is investing in the Fergus plant with a new large capacity PVC compounder, and new modern equipment, most of which is expected to come online in the next 18 months. These investments are integral to Nexans’ strategy to increase its competitiveness, and strengthen its market position against rising offshore dumping in Canada. 

Fergus Helping Power Data Centres & Grid Buildouts

Demand for large-gauge cable, like the ones made in Fergus, is being driven by massive data centres and grid buildout. According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, data centres accounted for around half of all growth in electricity demand in the US last year. 

The US government’s Energy Information Administration reported that utility spending on electricity transmission nearly tripled to $27.7 billion between 2003 and 2023 to meet rising demand.

Globally, power transmission investment will need to exceed $200 billion per year by the mid-2030s, according to the international agency.

King said the data centre market is so large and consuming so much capacity, we are seeing it strain Canadian supply chains and Nexans is well positioned to manage this issue.

“Nexans has a century-long tradition of making high quality wire and cable in Canada. It was there at the beginning, powering Canada’s first electrification cycle and is positioned to lead the next one,” says King.

On any given day, the 270,000-square-foot Fergus plant is buzzing, machines running at near maximum capacity around the clock over three shifts as Nexans experiences exponential growth over where it was just a decade ago. In the past year, Nexans has increased its Fergus workforce while raising output to firmly establish its leadership position.

Fergus’s production is clocking double digit growth year-over-year in the first half of 2026, a jump the company credits to running near capacity and pivoting to address market needs – as it has done so successfully for 60 years.

Ability to Adapt Cementing Fergus Plant’s Longevity

The plant has come a long way from its 1966 origins with a staff of 15 manufacturing automotive wire. It began as Fergus Cables Ltd., a joint venture between Canada Wire and Cable and Essex Wire, before Canada Wire bought out Essex Wire in 1968, later folding the operation into its construction products division.

Through a 1991 takeover by Alcatel, and later spinoff of Alcatel’s cables and components division, the plant became part of Nexans in 2001.

Today, a staff of more than 200 produce cables for major customers across North America, with products made there used in many of Canada’s most iconic projects such as the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Confederation Bridge and Canadian navy frigates.

The company hires locally from Wellington County and surrounding areas, and there’s no sign of slowing.

King explains that an important part of Nexans operating model is sustainability, and the commitment
is unwavering. That’s why sustainability is a priority in Fergus. The plant draws from the stormwater pond for cooling, theoretically saving the municipality 130 million litres of water per year. PVC waste from cable casings is sent to be recycled into other products like composite deck boards.

Fergus Plant Steps Up to Meet Market Demands

Industry intelligence firm IBISWorld pegged Canadian wire and cable manufacturing revenue at $2.8 billion in 2025-26.

In 2025, the publicly traded company — listed on the Paris stock exchange — posted sales of €6.1 billion, about $9.7 billion CDN, at standard metal prices, with a catalogue of more than 750 products.

Canadian-led operations in North America are poised to become a significant portion of global operations. King said increased spending on its Canadian footprint, and acquisitions, including Trenton-based Electro Cables in 2025, and Ohio-based Republic Wire earlier this year, is establishing North America as a pillar of the global business.

“Nexans is leaning into Canada even more than ever as we move forward,” King said.

Adding that there’s a sense of pride that 60 years later, the Fergus plant continues to play a meaningful part, not only in town, but across the country.

“Fergus is in a really good position here,” King said. “Do I see an expansion of Fergus? Absolutely. We will continue to invest to meet the needs of Canadians.”

This feature first appeared in the July 23 edition of The Wellington Advertiser as part of Nexans Fergus' 60th Anniversary celebration.