What to Look for in a Custom Wire Rope Manufacturer Before You Send the RFQ
Decision-makers can only determine which company makes the best custom wire-rope cable assemblies by evaluating their experience, certifications, fabrication capabilities and material offerings. This way, they can narrow their selection before sending the request for quote (RFQ).
Factors to Consider in a Custom Wire Rope Manufacturer
A wire rope manufacturer’s experience is indicative of the quality of their work and the extent of their fabrication capabilities. The longer they have been in the field, the better suited they are for demanding requests.
However, just because a business was founded decades ago does not mean it is superior. It should hold — or be actively pursuing — certifications that demonstrate its commitment to safety and quality. Additionally, it should conform to stringent industry standards, meeting or exceeding customer specifications.
Potential customers should also assess manufacturers’ customization capabilities carefully. Some can deliver tailored wire rope, assemblies, lanyards and end fittings, while others can only produce custom hardware.
Material selection is the final primary consideration. Does the application require galvanized, stainless or carbon steel? What grades of stainless steel are available? For coatings, can customers decide between vinyl, nylon and plastic, or are the final products bare? A diverse range of options is ideal.
The Best Custom Wire-Rope Cable Assembly Companies
These manufacturers were selected based on their adherence to the criteria outlined above. While they differ in some respects, each one checks all the boxes.
1. Motion Control Technologies Inc.
As a family-owned and operated business, Motion Control Technologies Inc. delivers premium products and exceptional customer service by forging long-lasting relationships with each client. It has engineered, prototyped and manufactured mechanical cable solutions since 1998. It makes the best custom wire-rope cable assemblies.
While it carries a broad selection of high-quality stock products, it accommodates unique requests. It leverages its decades of industry experience to fabricate custom-machined cable lanyards, fittings and assemblies at competitive prices.
Since it has in-house testing equipment, all wire rope undergoes stringent testing and quality checks from engineering through completion, ensuring the final product exceeds expectations. It is currently pursuing ISO 9001 certification, demonstrating its commitment to quality.
Since Asahi Ropes is among the largest steel wire rope manufacturers, it offers a broad product range suitable for various industrial applications. It serves small, medium and large enterprises in the mining, marine engineering, shipping, construction and real estate industries.
Since its founding in 1986, it has grown into a trusted brand known for putting product quality and customer satisfaction above all else. To ensure quality, it has a 22,500-square-foot plant with two in-house test labs. It is NSIC, ISO 9001:2008 and IS certified, so it can provide a certificate of compliance upon completion.
Its steel wire rope, wire strand and rope slings range from 0.12 inches to 2.05 inches in diameter. They come with fiber or wire strand core, which it manufactures in-house. Material choices include galvanized and marine-grade stainless steel, while coatings comprise polyvinyl chloride and zinc. It offers various finishes and lubrications, depending on the application.
Aero Assemblies Inc. is a family-owned business certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by the North Central Minority Supplier Development Council. It has been in the family since 1972, spanning three generations. Many of its employees have been with the company for 20 years.
It works with a diverse network of original equipment manufacturers to provide specialty fasteners, assembly and component services. It even uses an in-house three-dimensional printer for prototyping, repair and small production runs. Its unique production and sourcing capabilities make it a valuable partner for those in time-sensitive industries.
From conceptualization to completion, it works directly with customers. It provides preproduction samples to ensure the product meets the customer’s expectations. This way, it can provide first-rate solutions in various constructions without going over budget.
Loos & Co. Inc. provides cable, rope and strand in various diameters and constructions to the automotive, defense, marine, medical and aerospace industries. It has both commercial and industrial-grade products, some of which conform to military specifications (Mil-Spec).
It has a vast inventory of coated and bare cables. Its wire rope, fittings and assemblies come in stainless, galvanized or carbon steel. Its advanced computer numerical control equipment ensures precision and quality regardless of the specifications.
As a top steel wire and cable manufacturer, it boasts short lead times. With multiple locations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, it handles custom orders promptly. Since it manufactures custom orders domestically, U.S. customers do not have to worry about international shipping delays.
The in-house engineering, assembly and design teams at Tyler Madison Inc. manufacture custom wire rope assemblies, lanyards, fittings and terminals for industrial sectors. They also create custom injection-molded and machined parts. Customers can choose from galvanized steel or stainless steel with an independent wire rope core or fiber core.
As a small family-owned business, this company takes customer satisfaction seriously. That is why it offers competitive pricing, specialized materials and expedited services. While its standard lead time is two weeks, it can rush orders upon request. Additionally, rather than inundating customers with unsolicited marketing messages, it sends one update annually.
Its value-added services include hot stamping part numbers, design assistance, kitting, fuse cutting, cable pull testing, lean manufacturing and just-in-time programs. For cable hardware, it offers in-shop assembly, spooling, labeling, packaging and heat sealing services.
6. Assembly Specialty Products
Ohio-based Assembly Specialty Products creates custom wire rope cable assemblies, fittings, terminals and studs that meet or exceed industry standards in construction, highway safety and defense. It primarily serves U.S. rigging shops, custom fabricators and hoist manufacturers.
The engineers and customer service staff have over 180 years of combined experience in the rope wire field. They operate out of a 45,000-square-foot facility that contains hundreds of custom dies, one dozen computer-controlled milling centers and bar feed lathes, multiple proof-testing beds, and an automated fuse-cutting machine.
Thanks to its broad machining, manufacturing and testing capabilities, it can draw and validate new product designs — even those that need to meet stringent requirements. In addition to ensuring the final product meets or exceeds specifications, it offers post-sales support.
7. Bergen Cable Technology Inc.
As one of the longest-running wire rope and cable assembly manufacturers worldwide, Bergen Cable Technology Inc. provides superior technical expertise and customer service. Since its operations are U.S.-based, it maintains long-standing relationships with domestic partners to provide value-adding services.
Custom assemblies are its specialty — it views complex designs and restrictive regulations as opportunities for innovation. Since it has in-house CNC machining, proof testing and hydraulic pressing capabilities, it can produce Mil-Spec or commercial-grade stainless or galvanized steel cable with standard or custom end fittings.
This company is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified. Its products are compliant with the Federal Aviation Administration and International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which is beneficial for aerospace and defense contractors.
Comparing the Top Wire Rope Manufacturers at a Glance
Here are the core differences between the top custom rope wire manufacturers. Comparing them will help professionals determine which is best suited to their needs.
| Wire Rope Manufacturer | Year Founded | Certifications | Wire Rope Diameter | Wire Rope Coatings | Stainless Steel Grade |
| Motion Control Technologies | 1998 | Pursuing ISO 9001 certification | From 0.009 to 0.25 inches | Nylon, vinyl and plastic | 302, 304 and 316 |
| Asahi Ropes | 1986 | ISO 9001:2008, IS and NSIC | From 0.12 to 2.05 inches | PVC | 304 and 316 |
| Aero Assemblies | 1972 | ISO 9001 | From 0.05 to 0.38 inches | PVC and nylon | 302, 304, 305 and 316 |
| Loos & Co. | 1958 | ISO 9001, 13485 and AS9100 | From 0.14 to 1.25 inches | Nylon, vinyl and plastic | 302, 304, 305 and 316 |
| Tyler Madison | 1995 | Follows ISO-based protocols | From 0.05 to 0.38 inches | PVC and nylon | 304 and 316 |
| Assembly Specialty Products | 1971 | ISO 9001 and ASTM | From 0.25 to 2.75 inches | Zinc | Unspecified |
| Bergen Cable Technology | 1942 | ISO 9001 and AS9100D | From 0.03 to 0.25 inches | PVC and nylon | 302, 304, 316 and 321 |
Choosing Between These Potential Business Partners
When designing a custom wire rope, engineers must consider a range of factors, including elastic stretch and crush resistance. Material type, diameter and coating selection determine these characteristics, which is why partnering with an experienced team is so important. Once business leaders decide which company suits their requirements, they should send an RFQ.