History
50’s
1956
- Conductores Monterrey (CM) is incorporated.
60’s
1961
- A technical assistance agreement is signed between Viakon and Canada & Wire Cable Co, who also participate as a minority shareholder in the company.
- Production of magnet wire commences.
1964
- A minority stake is acquired in CONELEC, a producer of all types of cables and electrical conductors, with a plant in Puebla associated with Phelps Dodge of the United States.
1965
- The new Viakon plant is inaugurated, seven times larger than the first plant.
- Mid-power cables up to 35,000 volts with solid insulation are manufactured for the first time in Mexico.
1968
- Grupo Primex, a producer of PVC resins, is founded with participation by Viakon in association with other cable manufacturers, thus assuring the supply and quality of insulators for their electrical cables.
1969
- Acquisition of Ingenieria Electrica Industrial (IEI), a manufacturer of distribution and mid-power transformers. An agreement is formalized with General Electric of the USA to obtain technical assistance in manufacturing enamels for wire.
70’s
1970
- The Viakon telephone cable plant begins operations.
1976
- Viakon produces 69 kV cable with EPR insulation for the first time in Latin America.
- This cable was used in the redevelopment of Downtown Guadalajara.
1979
- Viakon, together with other domestic cable producers, establishes Conalum, Mexico’s first producer of aluminum wire.
80’s
1981
- The Viakon plant in San Luis Potosi begins operation for the manufacture of construction wire and cable.
- A commercial network is established for Viakon as well as other products from the group.
1984
- Conticon, a producer of copper wire for the manufacture of electrical cables is founded.
1986
- Underwriters Laboratories gives approval for Viakon to carry out their product evaluations in their own laboratories.
90’s
1993
- Beginning of the Total Quality Control (TQC) program, supported by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) and the Monterrey Tec (ITESM).
- Viakon begins production of armored cable for export to the USA.
1994
- Establishment of Multipak, principal producer of wooden spools in Mexico.
- A joint venture agreement is signed between Viakon and Elkins Pro Sales, for the sale of construction cable in the USA, with Xignux as minority shareholder.
- Purchase of the total capital stock in Conelec.
1995
- The plan to integrate Viakon and Conelec is carried out.
1996
- Sao Marco, the third largest manufacturer of magnet wire in Brazil is acquired.
1997
- Inauguration of Magnekon, one of the most modern magnet wire plants in the world.
- The expansion of Sao Marco is undertaken, concentrating on the magnet wire operations of Xignux in Brazil and building a chemical plant for the fabrication of enamels for magnet wire.
- The First Quality Control Circles Congress is held in Xignux.
1998
- Viakon increases its capacity to produce cables up to 230 KV and President Ernesto Zedillo inaugurates the new Flexible Cords and Cables plant.
1999
- All Xignux companies are now certified ISO 9000 or QS 9000, thus reinforcing the quality assurance processes.
2000’s
2000
- The Viakon Coaxial Cables Plant begins operations.
2004
- Starts the 115 KV cable production, first in Latin America with conductor 800mm2, stretches 800 meters and triple extruded XLPE.
- This cable is used by the Federal Commission of Electricity in the Laguna II project in the Laguna District (Torreon-Gomez Palacio).
2005
- In April, 2005 the electrification was carried out on the most important project for underground high voltage power distribution in the history of the Comision Federal de Electricidad and in Mexico: the Laguna II Central de Ciclo Combinado.
- Viakon participated as the first Mexican company to produce 115 kV cables with a conductive section of 800 mm of copper, in 800 meter lineal sections, thereby offering greater reliability with a smaller number of potential failure points.
2006
- In 2006, exactly upon completing its first 50 years of operations, Viakon continues to consolidate their technological leadership position in the high voltage cables market in Mexico, on becoming the first Mexican manufacturer to develop and produce 115 kV power cables with a conductive section of 2,000 mm2 of copper, in 620 meter lineal sections; these were installed in an important project for Comisión Federal de Electricidad known as “Pidiregas 128 LST NOINE”, which involved the construction of substations as well as the underground 115 kV connections in Monterrey and Chihuahua.
2010’s
2010
- Viakable obtains AS9100 certification for the manufacture of cables for the aerospace industry.
2011
- The Viakable and Prolec Technology Centers begin operations in the Technological Research and Innovation Park (PIIT), located in the Monterrey Metropolitan area.
