A reinforced L-plug where the wire connects to the plug helps make thin cables a bit more durable.

Digital Equipment Corp is to phase out its Boston manufacturing facility, where about 190 people are employed making cables for computers.

Half a dozen phone calls were made and coded cables were exchanged.

A few companies also make inexpensive customized cables for connecting a PC to a stereo system.

Allied-Signal will sell its Amphenol Products unit, which makes electrical cables and connectors, for $430 million.

Cable & Wireless doesn't even try to make cables, but it installs them better than anyone else.

Dow says its customers can make food packaging, medical supplies, gaskets, wires and cables - even rubber bands - at lower cost.

American Superconductor's newly patented composite combines high-temperature superconductive ceramics with metals like silver to make flexible cables.

It makes phone switches, cables and a variety of electronics products.

It will retain a profitable unit that makes wire, cables, telephones and other goods for its chain of more than 6,600 Radio Shack electronics stores.