Gemcell Australia

Although the name has only been around for a little over three years, Prysmian Cables & Systems is an established world class multinational company with sales of more than Euro 5 billion in 2007.

A new name for a well established company

Originally founded in 1872 and formerly of the Pirelli Group, Prysmian Cables & Systems has achieved a leading position for more than a century of operations in two key international markets, Power Cables and Systems (for underground and submarine power transmission and distribution, for industrial applications and for the distribution of electricity to residential and commercial buildings) and Telecom Cables and Systems (optical cables and fibres and copper cables for video, data and voice transmission). Prysmian Cables & Systems boasts a global presence with 54 manufacturing plants in 21 countries, 7 research and development centres in Europe, the United States & South America and more than 12,000 employees worldwide providing an efficient and effective response to the needs of local markets.

Proudly maintaining the tradition of local manufacturing

Following the acquisition of MM Cables in 1999, the company began a process of consolidating manufacturing activities and internal sales operations at Liverpool, rationalizing two workforces into one and embracing structured process improvement programs such as the internationally recognised ‘Six Sigma’ and ‘5S’ efficiency programs, the worlds leading methodologies in business improvement. The strategy has directly contributed to a doubling of sales turnover since 2000, a substantial reduction in debt and the continuing employment of more than 350 skilled people within the local region. By demonstrating excellence in business practice, Prysmian was one of only five finalists in the category of “Sustainability – Large Business” and the only finalist representing the local government area of Liverpool in the 2008 Western Sydney Industry Awards. Paul Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer Oceania, of Prysmian.

Cables & Systems accepted the Finalists Award at a presentation in Castle Hill with Minister for Western Sydney Barbara Perry MP and Phil Tolhurst of Liverpool City Council. “This site has been manufacturing cable since 1940 and the work done over the last seven years ensures that the organisation is well placed to continue the tradition of local manufacturing in this area despite the pressures of increasing imports” said Paul Atkinson. “Prysmian Australia now rates in the top four performing businesses of the entire Prysmian Group providing an increased level of confidence for further investment in the Western Sydney operation. This is a fantastic result and to also have this achievement recognised through the Western Sydney Industry Awards is a great honour”.

Prysmian Telecom Cables & Systems Australia

Prysmian Telecom Cables & Systems is well placed to meet the future demands of information technology being one of the leading manufacturers of telecommunications, data and optical fibre cables in the Asia Pacific region. Prysmian’s comprehensive portfolio of products includes optical fibre, Sirocco Blown Fibre systems, FTTp (Fibre to the Premises) solutions, connectivity hardware, metallic and premises/data cables. Prysmian’s manufacturing plant at Dee Why, on Sydney’s northern beaches, services the growing requirements of Telecommunications Carriers, Utilities, Railways, Computer and Defence sectors. A contracted supplier to Telstra since 1998, Prysmian has successfully demonstrated competitiveness in price, product innovation and supply capabilities to maintain its long term commercial partnership with Australia’s largest telecommunications service provider.

Competitive in price, product innovation and supply

With a focus on the future firmly directed towards researching and refining products to reflect technological excellence and incorporating environmental concerns, Prysmian sets new standards in product innovation, cost reduction and efficiency improvements. Prysmian was the first cable manufacturer to introduce non-lead based stabilised PVC compounds in their ‘Ecology Line’ range of cables. The result is a cable that is safer to manufacture, safer to use and safer for the environment. Innovative products in the Prysmian portfolio include TERMITEX™, a revolutionary cable protection system that provides the ultimate solution to termite attack and an effective alternative to brass taping or nylon jackets.

A smarter approach to optical fibre cables

Prysmian has also developed the new SM@RTCORE® range of optical fibre cables which have a reduced cross sectional area by as much as 40%. SM@RTCORE® cables are smaller and lighter than conventional cables and are, therefore, easier to install. The reduction in cable diameter significantly reduces the minimum bend diameter, reducing bend management systems. However, the major benefit of the reduction in cable cross sectional area is a significant improvement in duct utilisation. Prysmian’s SM@RTCORE® cables also feature the new semi-dry gel within the tube to prevent moisture ingress. Unlike conventional gel, which is difficult to remove when terminating the cable, the new semi-dry product is far quicker to remove and significantly reduces installation time.

A quicker approach to FTTp networks & systems

In response to consumer requirement for high quality telecom services such as high speed internet, video on demand and telephony delivered direct to the home, Prysmian has developed QUICKDR@W®, a pre-connectorised solution to FTTp networks that allows the simple and effective connection of customer’s premises equipment without the need for splicing. Having recently carried out several major projects in the highly strategic FTTp market, Prysmian has been selected as one of the main partners to develop the FTTp infrastructure of Verizon in the United States. In the European market, a number of FTTp systems have been developed in Scandinavia and France and most recently in Germany, where Prysmian was contracted to provide a complete fibre network to Schwerte, a town of 50,000 people. Prysmian’s innovative FTTp solutions have also been utilized in this country with a number of housing estate development projects including the connection of 185 homes in Western Australia and 296 homes in Queensland.

Maintaining higher Standards of Service

Not content with current service offerings, Prysmian continues to strive for even higher standards of customer satisfaction. Since 2003, Prysmian has engaged the services of third party consultants to carry out global customer satisfaction surveys resulting in improved service levels in areas where the reliability of delivery times is a critical factor for success.

The latest proven technological innovations and materials

With access to global research and development facilities, Prysmian ensures that the latest technological innovations and materials are included in product designs which are benchmarked against affiliates worldwide. Australian quality accreditations are complimented by internationally recognised certifications such as BASEC (British Approval Service for Electrical Cables) for a specific range of wiring, power and fire resistant cables.

Prysmian links the world via submarine cabling

In the last five years Prysmian has completed more than 30 submarine power links worldwide, including BassLink in Australia which, at approximately 300km, is currently the longest in the world. The Basslink interconnector comprises a 1500mm² HVDC, impregnated paper tape insulated cable which has the capability of transmitting 500 Megawatts continuously and up to 600 MW peak at a DC rated voltage of 400 Kilovolts. The interconnector also includes a 1400mm² medium voltage cable and fibre optic cable for station-to-station data transmission and telecommunication purposes. To support its submarine activities, Prysmian owns and operates the Giulio Verne, one of just a handful of high capacity cable laying vessels in the world providing a significant competitive advantage in this highly specialized area of the cable business.

From Basslink to Dubai – from Gemcell to you.

Prysmian designs, develops, manufactures, supplies and installs a wide range of cables, addressing the most diverse applications in both the energy and telecom sectors. Prysmian makes and delivers advanced technological cable solutions to customers anywhere in the world and has become a partner to some of the world’s most significant projects. Apart from Australia’s own Basslink project, Prysmian has been recently awarded a contract to supply high tech power cables for the Greater Gabbard in UK, the largest offshore wind farm in the world. The largest ocean liner in the world, the GENESIS Cruise vessel, is cabled by Prysmian as is Alstom's High Speed special testing train, which recently achieved the world’s speed record. A significant project in the residential and commercial construction sector currently underway is the cabling of the Burj Dubai tower which, when completed, will be the tallest man-made structure in the world. So no matter how large or complex your project requirement, Prysmian Cables & Systems can design and deliver a total cable solution to suit.