Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electromagnetic devices and, more particularly, to the compression of stator core laminations using wire rope members and to stator cores and electromagnetic devices employing such wire rope members. In one embodiment, the invention includes: affixing a first end of a wire rope member to a first flange plate disposed adjacent a first end of a plurality of stator laminations; affixing a second end of the wire rope member to a second flange plate disposed adjacent a second end of the plurality of stator laminations; tensioning at least one of the first end or the second end of the wire rope member against at least one of the first flange plate and the second flange plate to exert a compressive force against the first flange plate, the second flange plate, and the plurality of stator laminations.