Procurement Market Intelligence Report

Electrical Cable
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Electrical Cable Global Overview

Definition

Summary

Electrical cables are multiconductor cables that deliver energy, data, and communication services for various building and industrial applications. The key buyers of these products are industrial operators and residential and nonresidential developers.

This Report Includes:

  • Coaxial Cable
  • Halogen-Free Cable
  • Multicore Cable
  • Axial Cable
  • Fiber Optic Cable

Not in this Report:

  • Electrical Wire
  • Network Equipment

Global Electrical Cable Procurement Trends

Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Electrical Cable market.

Warning Trends


Increased tariffs on copper imports take effect

  • On August 1, the Trump administration implemented 50.0% tariffs on imported copper. Chile and Canada will be most impacted by these tariffs, as they account for a combined 87.0% of all copper imports in the United States.
  • However, these tariffs are less sweeping than initially expected, only applying to semi-finished copper products, while excluding high-purity refined copper and copper input materials, such as ore and concentrate. As leading importers, such as Chile and Canada, have both high copper mining and refining capacities, they will likely avoid most of these tariffs by either exporting the copper in its unrefined form or refining the copper before exporting it to the United States
  • These copper tariff exemptions limit the impact on the electronics and electrical equipment sectors because these applications require refined copper due to its optimal conductive properties.
  • Thus, the prices of metal alloys that include copper, consumer products made from copper, tools, plumbing, corrosion-resistant alloys, and construction materials made from copper are forecast to rise by an average of 39.2%, according to the Yale Budget Lab.

Tariffs may drive up prices and lead times for electrical equipment

  • The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which raise the tariffs on all goods imported from most other countries, are set to take effect on August 7 after the rates were finalized on August 1. The US power generation and distribution sector is highly reliant on imports, with electrical equipment imports accounting for an estimated 56.7% of total annual domestic supply.
  • Due to the complexity of most power generation and distribution machinery, most components or raw materials included in these products originate outside the United States, even if the finished machinery is assembled domestically.
  • As a result, the Yale Budget Lab currently estimates that the upcoming tariffs will cause electrical equipment prices to increase by 26.6% on average.
  • Further, tariffs present complications for the long, often multinational production cycles common for more complex electrical equipment manufacturing, leading American Electric Power and other leaders in the energy sector to warn of shortages and increased lead times for electric equipment.

Neutral


Inflation climbs above 3.0% for the first time in seven months

  • In January, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) 12-month inflation rate, the most commonly used measure of inflation, rose by 0.1% to 3.0%, the highest it has been since June 2024.
  • This uptick in inflation follows cuts to interest rates which may have added to consumer demand, fueling higher consumer prices.
  • Additionally, the threat of impending tariff hikes has driven preemptive stockpiling by importers, adding to demand and price growth across a range of industries in the United States.
  • While inflation is still low relative to previous years, sustained recent increases in inflation and the potential effects of tariffs, such as the recently implemented 10.0% on all Chinese goods, mean prices are still rising at a faster-than-normal pace.

Global Electrical Cable Market - Suppliers by Region

Country/Region Number of Suppliers
#1 China 5,530
#2 Europe 4,550
#3 India 2,560

Explore supplier concentration across the globe

We've uncovered the 11 top regions for global procurement, based on feedback from our most strategic clients. Access vendor counts for each unique region when you subscribe.

  • Canada
  • United States
  • Mexico
  • Latin America
  • South America
  • India
  • China
  • Europe
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Australi & New Zealand
  • Oceania & Southeast Asia

2

Geography Drilldown - US, Canada & Europe

Average Cost of Electrical Cable

United States

2026 Market Pricing
$0.50 to $XX.XX
per 50 feet

Canada

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Europe

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Average Price

Prices in the Electrical Cable market range from $0.50 to $XX.XX, depending on Length, Cable Jacket Type, Electrical Characteristics and Physical Characteristics. For example, lower prices are associated with 0.5ft to 50ft ($0.5 to $25.00 per cable), whereas higher prices are associated with 50ft to 300ft ($10.00 to $60.00 per cable).

Need the scoop on international price trends?

Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.

Electrical Cable Category Price Trends

Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Electrical Cable market, prices in the US have grown 10.0% from 2022 to 2025. and +0.3% in Europe.

United States (2022-2025)

10.0%
Compound Annual Growth Rate

Canada (2019-2022)

2.5%

Compound Annual Growth Rate

Subscribers can access updated Canadian data upon request.

Europe (2022-2025)

0.3%

Compound Annual Growth Rate

Wondering where prices are heading?

Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.

Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Electrical Cable

Total cost of ownership is Medium in the Electrical Cable market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Emergencies may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.

Negotiated Before

Installation

Buyers must pay an electrician or other contractors to install the electrical cable. Depending on where the cable need to be installed, installation costs may vary.

Billed During

Maintenance

Aluminum cable often incurs more expenses associated with repairing, maintaining, and replacing parts and components. Depending on the installation location, maintenance costs can vary; for example, the inspection of underground power transmission cables and above-ground grid fixtures that have sustained partial defects may air on the more expensive side than typical maintenance.

Unforeseen

Emergencies

Electrical cable installation work carries its own hidden costs, including the need for asbestos and other health and safety testing.

Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations

In 2026, buyer power amounts to -2.6 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Availability of Substitutes. It is most negatively impacted by Product Specialization. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more

United States

-2.6

Canada

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Europe

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Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future

Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now

  • Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
  • Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
  • Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components

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Supply Chain Risk

The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as High, which has a negative impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:

1st

Tier Suppliers

  • Copper Rollers, Drawers & Extruders
  • Aluminum Manufacturers
  • Plastic Pipe & Parts Manufacturers

2nd

Tier Suppliers

  • Copper, Nickel, Lead & Zinc Miners
  • Electric Power Transmission Operators
  • Plastic & Resin Manufacturers

Biggest Electrical Cable Suppliers in the US by Revenue

The largest Electrical Cable vendors by revenue in the US are Rea Magnet Wire Company Inc., Standard Wire & Cable Co. and LS Corporation. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more

Supplier Operational Size Headquarters Number of Employees Market Share (%) Market Share Performance (3yr trend) Total Revenue ($ million) Profit Level (%) Risk Level
Southwire Co Global Carrollton, GA 1,001-10,000 20-25
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Prysmian S.P.A. Global Milan, IT >10,001 5-10
Commscope Inc. Global CLAREMONT, NC >10,000 5-10
Encore Wire Corporation Local MCKINNEY, TX 1,001-10,000 5-10
LS Corporation Global Seoul, SAI >10,001 < 5
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. Global Osaka, JP >10,001 < 5
W.W. Grainger, Inc. Global LAKE FOREST >10,000 < 5
Nexans Global Paris, FR >10,001 < 5
Belden Inc. Global ST. LOUIS, MO 1,001-10,000 < 5

Looking for a list of suppliers by country?

Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.

Profit Analysis

The average profit margin across vendors in the Electrical Cable market is 7.7% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Purchases. The cost trend for this component is falling, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more

Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis

Vendor risk is moderate since the supply and demand of this global commodity are exposed to different levels of volatility resulting from a range of factors, including currency exchange rates, competition from foreign businesses, and global demand trends.

Market share concentration for electrical cables is moderate, with most firms owning less than five percent market share while some have secured more than twenty percent. The moderate market share concentration indicates buyers may face increased competition among smaller vendors with less market share. At the same time, negotiation leverage may be suppressed when procuring from vendors with significant market revenue.

Supply chain risk is high for this market as volatility from upstream copper suppliers can have a considerable effect on market suppliers’ production costs and prices. For example, manufacturers of electrical cable pass higher input costs to buyers in the form of higher prices.

The United States is a net importer of electrical cable, meaning it imports more than it exports. Dependence on international suppliers may result in longer lead times, increased shipping costs, and potential supply chain disruptions.

Supplier Information

Southwire Co

Southwire Co is a private company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electrical wire, electrical cable, work lights, electrical fuses and electrical conduits. Founded in 1950, the company is currently headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia, United States of America... Subscribe to learn more

Commscope Inc.

Commscope Inc. is a public company operating globally in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The company's offerings include electrical wire, electrical cable, fiber optic cable, radio antennas, modems. Founded in 1976, the company is currently headquartered in HICKORY, North Carolina, United States... Subscribe to learn more

Encore Wire Corporation

Encore Wire Corporation is a public company operating locally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electrical wire, electrical cable and fiber optic cable. Founded in 1989, the company is currently headquartered in MCKINNEY, Texas, United States of America with an estimated 1672 employees.... Subscribe to learn more

Prysmian S.P.A.

Prysmian S.P.A. is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electrical wire, electrical cable and fiber optic cable. Founded in 1879, the company is currently headquartered in Milan, Italy with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more

Belden Inc.

Belden Inc. is a public company operating globally in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The company's offerings include electrical wire, electrical cable, fiber optic cable and network cable installation. Founded in 1902, the company is currently headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, United States... Subscribe to learn more

LS Corporation

LS Corporation is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electrical wire and electrical cable. Founded in 2003, the company is currently headquartered in Seoul, Saipan, South Korea with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more

Nexans

Nexans is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electrical wire, electrical cable and fiber optic cable. Founded in 2018, the company is currently headquartered in Paris, France with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more

Rea Magnet Wire Company Inc.

Rea Magnet Wire Company Inc. is a private company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electrical wire and electrical cable. Founded in 1933, the company is currently headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America with an estimated 900 employees. Subscribe to learn more

Standard Wire & Cable Co.

Standard Wire & Cable Co. is a private company operating internationally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electrical wire and electrical cable. Founded in 1947, the company is currently headquartered in Rancho Dominguez, California, United States of America with an estimated 33... Subscribe to learn more

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Procurement Management KPIs for the Electrical Cable Market

Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Defect Density and On-Time Delivery (OTD). Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Product Quality & Compliance and other factors.

KPI Level of Importance (1-5) Measurements Key Considerations
Defect Density

Total number of products shipped or produced

Total number of defects or issues with products

The defect density measures the number of defects in a group of products or a shipment.

The defect density can be used to determine how successful a vendor's manufacturing processes are and whether or not they are providing quality product for the cost.

On-Time Delivery (OTD)

Total number of deliveries

Total number of deliveries completed on-time

The on-time delivery rate measures the rate in which suppliers are able to complete orders in the previously agreed-upon time frame.

For buyers who are located long distances away from suppliers, this metric is key, because consistently late or delayed shipments can contribute to inefficiency and lost revenue while awaiting shipments.

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Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations

How can I gain leverage during negotiations?

Supply Chain Risk

From how many different suppliers do you source raw materials? How long have you been in a supply agreement with these vendors?

What protocols do you have in place to ensure inputs like copper, aluminum and plastics and resins are of the highest quality?

Reputation

Can you provide me with a list of references, including contact information?

How much of your business is based on referrals?

Timeliness

What delivery options do you offer, and how do they differ in price?

What is your average delivery time?

The ultimate prep for procurement negotations

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Electrical Cable RFP Guidelines

What should my RFP include?

Organizational Overview

Buyers should describe their operations (commercial, industrial, municipal, etc.), to help vendors understand the kind and volume of electrical cable they require.

Buyers should provide a detailed description of their operational structure, including to whom vendors will report.

Statement Of Need

Buyers should describe their specific power usage and needs, and the type and quantity of electrical cables they require.

Buyers should list the voltage requirements that the cable must handle, as well as any other desired performance characteristics.

Project Budget

Buyers should explicitly state the amount for the award.

Buyers should describe the expected pricing model to be used (e.g., cost-plus).

The RFP process made easy

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  • Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
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  • Global supplier breakdown
  • Market share concentration
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