Centelsa by Nexans Wins Lápiz de Acero Award for Its Innovative Nexans Solar Toolkit

• This recognition reinforces and demonstrates Centelsa's commitment to well-being and sustainability, generating a positive impact on people, the environment, and the economy.

Bogotá, July 2025 – Centelsa by Nexans, the Colombian subsidiary representing Nexans, has been awarded the prestigious Lápiz de Acero Award in the Product Design category. The award recognizes its Nexans Solar Toolkit, a solution designed to protect installers and simplify and streamline cable installation in large-scale solar projects, effectively addressing operational and ergonomic challenges typical of these environments.

The Nexans Solar Toolkit consists of the Mobiway™ Solar Kart, the Roller Kit, and the Shoulder Shield — a group of tools praised by the jury for their innovative and disruptive design that combines functionality, safety, ergonomics, and efficiency to transform the solar installation experience. A fourth component, the Exoskeleton, although not part of the awarded kit, is included in Centelsa by Nexans’ differentiated solar offer and complements the solution by enhancing field installer safety, comfort, and productivity.

A Milestone in Operational Efficiency

At the core of this award-winning solution is the Mobiway™ Solar Kart-L, an innovation of great relevance to the industry. This kart addresses multiple essential needs and functions required for cable installation in demanding environments.

The Mobiway™ Solar Kart-L redefines solar project installation by integrating safety, ergonomics, efficiency, technology, and workplace well-being into a single mobile station. Its design features off-road transport, a cable dispensing system, tool storage, a first aid kit, a hydration station, a solar-powered power bank for charging devices and batteries, and lighting for work in various conditions. Additionally, its towing hitch capability allows for integration with vehicles, optimizing travel time on site and significantly reducing physical strain on personnel.

Beyond improving field safety and efficiency, this solution raises the installation standard by minimizing failure risks. As a result, both preventive and corrective maintenance costs are reduced, while the reliability and availability of solar power generation are increased. The outcome is clear: more profitable, sustainable, and competitive energy projects.

The Mobiway™ Solar Kart-L by Centelsa by Nexans is more than an installation tool—it is an innovation that drives the energy transition and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By optimizing solar cable installation, it supports clean energy adoption (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13). Its design integrates safety, ergonomics, and worker well-being, promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). It also strengthens sustainable infrastructure in the energy sector through technology and innovation (SDG 9), and encourages responsible resource use by reducing waste (SDG 12).

“At Centelsa by Nexans, we are delivering disruptive solutions that are transforming how solar projects are built, all aligned with a more sustainable future,” said Luis Fernando Blandón, Innovation Manager and Head of the Design Lab for South America.

Acknowledging Design Excellence and Strategic Impact

The Lápiz de Acero Award, presented annually by the Lápiz de Acero Foundation, is one of the most prestigious design recognitions in Latin America and has broad international visibility. The jury evaluates projects based on strict criteria including identity, quality, functionality, innovation, unity, emotional connection ("sixth element"), and their environmental and social impact.

The victory of the Nexans Solar Toolkit in this edition highlights Centelsa by Nexans’ ability to merge creativity and design with precision engineering, delivering innovative solutions that deeply address real user and sector needs.

For Centelsa by Nexans, this recognition marks a milestone in the innovation and design of solutions for the renewable energy industry. It reflects the company's ability to deeply understand the sector’s challenges and transform them into tools that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. More than just an award, it’s a validation of a conscious innovation journey, one that creates real value for customers and actively contributes to the energy transition.

 

About Nexans

For more than a century, Nexans has played a key role in the electrification of the world and remains committed to electrifying the future. With around 28,000 people in 42 countries, the Group leads the way toward a safer, more sustainable, renewable, decarbonized, and accessible electrical world. In 2023, Nexans generated €6.5 billion in sales.

The Group is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services across four main areas: Power Generation & Transmission, Distribution, Usage, and Industry & Solutions. Nexans is the first in its sector to create a foundation supporting sustainable initiatives that bring electricity access to underserved communities around the world.

The Group has been recognized on CDP’s Climate Change A List as a global leader in climate action and is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Nexans has operated in Colombia since 2008 and, in April 2022, completed the acquisition of CENTELSA, a premium cable manufacturer, with a clear commitment to continuing the electrification of Colombia and Latin America. Through this acquisition, Nexans aims to strengthen its value proposition across the electrification chain and reaffirm its role as a strategic partner in the region’s energy transition.