Charity Week is Dec 15-19 - Join Allied is making Wishes come true this holiday season!

Christmas is a time for giving, and Charity Week is a tradition at Allied Wire and Cable. Each year, the company donates a portion of the total sales made during the week before Christmas to a deserving charity. This year, the week is December 15-19, and the charity is the Make-A-Wish Foundation, one that Allied supports regularly.

Make-A-Wish is a well-known national organization that grants Wishes, like trips to Disney or meetings with a favorite celebrity, to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The granting of a Wish is often a life-changing experience for both the child and his or her family. With the average Wish costing about $7,500, coordinating these very touching events is no small task.

What can you do to help this worthy cause? Join with Allied and consider making a purchase during the 2008 Charity Week, held between December 15 and 19. Every dollar will help bring a child closer to realizing their dreams. View a short message from Allied and Dennis Herron of Make-A-Wish   or   View the full flyer

Industry Outlook for 2009

Many in the wire harness, cable assembly, OEM, and wire and cable distribution industries have seen down-sizing become a common occurrence in today's tough economy. Many major cable manufacturers are also doing their own version of down-sizing. As larger manufacturers battle through mergers, acquisitions, and other financial difficulties, they are taking a hard look at the products they keep in their catalogs and many are switching to "make-to-order" policies.

Catalog restructuring will leave a fair amount of industry businesses in a difficult position as normally-stocked items are discontinued or manufactured only with large order minimums. Contractors and OEMs may find themselves in trouble when smaller quantities are needed to satisfy their customers' needs. Another potential problem is that lead times will lengthen, sometimes considerably, when manufacturers switch to make-to-order.

Belden Wire is just one recent example of a major manufacturer adopting a "make-to-order" practice. As of January 5, 2009, more than 80% of Belden's products will have a 3-week lead time, and certain items will even have a 28-day lead time, seriously affecting their customers' supply.

How can you survive this sticky situation? Utilize the cable specialists at Allied Wire & Cable; they offer clear and economic solutions. Allied will work with our customers to stock the products that you use most often.. Please talk with your Sales Rep today and let us know which products will affect your business.

Turkey Tips

Thanksgiving means three things: family, football, and food. The most important part of the menu? The turkey, of course! Since the poultry is pivotal, the cook is under real pressure. After all, no one wants a dry drumstick or a burned bird. Preparing the perfect Thanksgiving turkey doesn't have to be impossible! Here are a few interesting tips from Alton Brown of the Food Network's Good Eats:

• Basting the turkey isn't necessary - opening and closing the oven door only slows down cooking time
• Cook your stuffing separately - putting your filling inside your turkey will dry out your bird

Check out Alton Brown's recipe for more ideas.

Happy Thanksgiving, from the Allied family to yours!