From Roy Richards, Sr.’s entrepreneurial vision to bring electric light to rural Georgia to a company that now stands strong with a legacy of excellence, the heart of our story remains the same: passion, innovation, integrity and a belief in doing things right.

For 75 years, we’ve been part of your lives, your homes, our world… and today, we stand strong as North America’s leader in the wire and cable industry.

This weekend, we celebrate 75 years of Southwire. Over the course of the company’s history, Southwire has grown from 12 to approximately 9,000 team members and has extended into an internationally recognized organization - delivering innovative solutions for our stakeholders around the world. Southwire’s story is a reflection of the great things that can be achieved by a relentless pursuit of excellence, continuous improvement and a focus on taking care of those around us.

OUR STORY:

Southwire’s roots extend to 1937, when Roy Richards, Sr., started a company to erect power poles with the ultimate purpose of bringing electricity to his grandmother’s home. Richards was a recent graduate of Georgia Tech, and after school, chose to stay in Carroll County, Ga., where the company remains headquartered today.

On March 23, 1950, Southwire was founded and began production with 12 employees and second-hand machinery. Within just two years, the company had shipped five million pounds of wire and had doubled its plant size. 

Over the past 75 years, Southwire has flourished as an organization, growing its workforce and impact across communities all around the world. The organization has continued to be a preferred provider of solutions to the electrical industry by providing innovative products and services with exceptional quality. Our ONE Southwire culture prioritizes the interests of our team members, customers, communities and shareholders through a continuous commitment to empowerment, trust, consistency and inclusion.

Richards’ vision laid the foundation of Southwire, and his legacy lives on, as the company remains family-owned through the ownership of his children and grandchildren. Southwire prides itself in its efforts to stay generationally sustainable for 100 years and beyond and is focused on being an extraordinary place to work for all.  

"Our 75th anniversary is an incredible milestone that reflects the strength, dedication and vision of our people, stakeholders and communities around the world," said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s President and CEO. "This celebration is a testament to the hard work, innovation and collaboration that have shaped our success for decades. We are grateful to all who have been part of our journey, and – together – we look forward to building on our momentum in the years ahead. It's an exciting time to be in the electrical industry and an even more exciting time to be at Southwire."

WHAT’S AHEAD?

Looking toward the next 75 years, Southwire is committed to leading the charge in sustainable innovation and electrification. We see a future where investments in cable technologies, smart grid solutions and renewable energy infrastructure will drive the transition to a cleaner, more electrified future. By embracing cutting-edge solutions and expanding our role in powering electrification, we aim to be at the forefront of the exciting times ahead for our industry. 

What began with a single spark of ambition has now ignited decades of change. We express our gratitude to all who have been part of our story. We look forward to all the incredible things that we will do together in the next 75 years and beyond. Happy 75th Birthday, Southwire!

For more news, please visit www.southwire.com/newsroom.