Southwire Sees Growth Amid Rise of Data Centers
The data center industry in the U.S. is booming, and this surge is opening up new opportunities for Southwire, a well-established company that has been in operation for 76 years. Southwire specializes in manufacturing electrical wires and cables, and it’s poised to thrive as demand for power infrastructure increases due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
According to recent reports, Southwire is fully owned by the Richards family, whose wealth is currently estimated to be around $13.1 billion. The company celebrated a record revenue of $9.7 billion in 2025, fueled by the growing need for electrical equipment, rising copper prices, and expanding investments in AI infrastructure.
Surge in Demand for Electrical Equipment
Southwire’s contribution to the American electric grid is significant, as it produces roughly half of the wires and cables used in the country. Its products can also be found in about half of all homes in the U.S. The emergence of AI data centers is a key factor in the company’s strong performance. According to the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, investments in these data centers have quadrupled between 2021 and 2025, with around 1,500 new centers in development across the nation.
These data centers utilize advanced AI chips that require two to four times the electricity compared to standard computer chips. This creates a greater demand for electrical wires, cables, and power systems.
Founded in 1950 by Roy Richards, Southwire remains a family-owned business. It employs over 9,000 people and has operations in more than 40 U.S. cities, in addition to several international locations. The company has seen its revenue grow by more than 50% since 2021, driven by rising copper prices, increased infrastructure spending, and the demand from AI data centers.
Moreover, Southwire is committed to community initiatives, such as its “12 for Life” program in Georgia, which aims to improve high school graduation rates by providing students with a blend of academic learning and manufacturing job training.
