An article in this month’s issue of Electrical Wholesaling picks the most interesting electrical news of 2005. In the first of two articles, EM takes a look at the companies, trends and people that made news during the past year.

Record material price increases pound industry again. Few people thought the price increases the construction market saw in 2004 would be duplicated in the near future. Wrong. Although pricing for core construction elements such as gypsum, cement and lumber simmered down after 2004’s wild ride, the price of copper has once again astounded the experts. Just when wire and cable industry veterans said the price of copper wouldn’t climb any higher, this fickle metal proved them wrong. At press time, the price for copper was a record $1.94 per pound. Metal market analysts believe China’s apparently insatiable appetite for copper, speculation and production lulls are responsible for the record prices. At least one analyst expects copper prices to drop significantly in 2006, as new mining capacity comes on line. A Financial Times report said HSBC analyst Alan Williamson sees a 14-percent decline in copper prices in 2006, followed by another 14-percent decline in 2007.

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Thank-you from the staff of Electrical Marketing.