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When asking why FlatWire Southwire had to first ask fundamental questions. What are the problems we face when trying to add the most desired products to our home or offices? What are the limits of conventional wiring? How can we change the way people think of wiring and rewiring to be a safe, simple and easy to install redecorating project, not a major remodel? Southwire's FlatWire Technologies Division, however, chose to step back and question everything about wiring. What are the advantages in flat conductors versus round conductors? How can we make wiring a truly do-it-yourself project? How can we improve, enhance or radically change, for the better, wiring and interconnect systems based on this new paradigm? And most importantly; what is possible?
The shifting of a paradigm in any industry is rare. FlatWire is creating an entirely new market segment and choice in the way wiring and rewiring is done. The building of a company with such innovation fell on the shoulders of Robert Sexton. Sexton founded FlatWire in 1995 under the name Decorp. Decorp, a privately held company, filed its first patent in 1995 and relocated to Hendersonville, TN in 1998.
Sexton invented FlatWire and has been the driving force behind FlatWire Technologies. He has cultivated his knowledge of engineering as a manager for Beacon Electronics, a full service electronics design and sales company. Sexton, as an entrepreneur, has also founded a number of other companies over the years.
Decorp teamed up with some strategic partners in 2000 and began final development and introduction to the market of FlatWire. Among the Flatwire products are Speaker FlatWire, Low Voltage FlatWire, and a variety of other flat cables that provide solutions for data, cable, and other Audio/Video applications. To commemorate this truly innovative technology, FlatWire won "Best in Show" by Techtv at CES 2004.
Significant pent up market demand exists for a safe, low-cost, non-invasive and aesthetically pleasing wiring and rewiring technology within the 100-year-old wiring industry. Many applications for devices and products that require new wiring are left undone because of the limitations of conventional wiring and their difficult and expensive installation requirements. Specifically, invading walls and ceilings to "fish" or route wire and install receptacles, along with the subsequent repair work, are significant barriers to the installation of conventional wire and devices. Furthermore, other applications may require the electronics device consumer to string unsightly wires along floors, walls and ceilings. These wires include difficult to hide coax cable, speaker wires, power strips and extension cords. Devices that are limited by such wiring barriers include: flat panel televisions, surround sound and speaker systems, cable and satellite television systems, voice and data products, control products, lighting, ceiling fans, window air conditioners and virtually any device that requires a wiring interface. Conventional wiring and interconnect products are a very mature industry. Some of the technologies are virtually the same as a hundred years ago. Wiring has been one of the last segments of home improvement that has eluded the do-it-yourselfer.
In 2005 Decorp was acquired by The Southwire Company and became FlatWire Technologies, a division of Southwire. This move to Carrollton, GA combined Southwire's strengths as a leading, innovative wire and cable manufacturer with Decorp's ground-breaking FlatWire Ready® technology. This marriage will be able to take the technology that Decorp has developed and apply it to not only Audio/Video needs but also electrical. By adding FlatWire to the product line, Southwire is building on its commitment to make life easier for customers by providing convenient and affordable solutions to their electrical needs. It is with that spirit that Flatwire under Southwire's leadership will continue to be the creator, innovator and global leader of an entirely new class of wiring and connection products. |
