HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

Industrial Gases Group Expands with Air Separation Plant in Indianapolis

/ BULK GASES & SYSTEMS NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES
Jens Luehring, president & CEO, Messer Americas

An industrial gases company recently announced an investment to build a new, large-scale air separation unit (ASU) in Indianapolis, Indiana, a state of the art plant that will produce essential raw materials for metal fabrication facilities and heat treating operations, as well as other manufacturers in the Midwest. The ASU is slated for completion Q1, 2021.

“This investment underscores Messer’s commitment to strategic U.S. expansion to meet growing market demand,” said Jens Luehring, president & CEO, Messer Americas. “We chose to invest in Indianapolis, Indiana, due to its strong pro-business climate and optimal proximity to customers. Messer aims to become the premier supplier of choice for industrial, medical and specialty products in the Americas, providing innovative solutions for our customers with excellent speed to market and reliability. This investment directly supports that mission and strengthens our presence in the Midwest.”

The new air separation plant will produce medical and industrial gases for several industries, including metal fabrication, chemical, welding, glass, healthcare, and food processing.

Mayor Joe Hogsett with the City of Indianapolis

Messer, which acquired most of the North American gases business of Linde plc, as well as certain Linde business activities in South America, is one of the leading industrial gas companies in North and South America.

“We’re excited to keep building a city with a competitive business climate and a vibrant quality of life that appeal to world-class companies like Messer,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett with the City of Indianapolis. “We proudly welcome Messer and the dozens permanent and temporary good-paying jobs that it brings, to the economic landscape of our city.”

Industrial Gases Group Expands with Air Separation Plant in Indianapolis Read More »

15 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel & Company Chatter

  • A long-term agreement to supply materials used in the manufacture of naval nuclear reactor components has been signed between BWX Technologies, Inc., and Allegheny Technologies Incorporated.
  • Kennametal Inc. announced that it has formed a 3D printing materials and production business unit, Kennametal Additive Manufacturing, as part of its infrastructure segment. The new business unit combines the company’s longstanding expertise in materials science and wear-resistant solutions with additive manufacturing capabilities to supply high-performance metal additive powders and fully finished 3D printed parts for wear, erosion, corrosion, and high-temperature applications.
  • StandardAero Component Services celebrated the grand opening of the company’s 30,000 sq. ft. expansion of its Hillsboro, Ohio, engine component manufacturing and engine component repair facility. The additional working space and capital improvements included the building and additional equipment to support aerospace engine low-pressure turbine vane manufacturing. The Hillsboro location expansion completes StandardAero’s current plans for new building and expansion investments, which have also occurred at its Cincinnati, Miami and Kansas City locations over the last 18 months.

Equipment Chatter

  • A 30-ton tilting rotary furnace for aluminum recycling was installed by GHI at the new facility of Latem Aluminium in Villadangos, Spain.
  • No. 965, a 1350ºF (~733ºC) electrically-heated cabinet oven from Grieve, has been purchased for heat treating titanium at the customer’s facility.
  • Tangshan Zhengfeng Iron & Steel Co., LTD, in Hebei Province, China, recently commissioned three iRecovery® (intelligent waste heat recovery systems) from Tenova, a Techint Group company. Tenova iRecovery® systems will be applied downstream of the new Consteel® Evolution to recover the waste heat and to use it for the production of steam, which will then be available for the existing power plant.
  • A vacuum drying oven has been shipped to the aerospace industry by Tenney Environmental, a division of Thermal Product Solutions. This vacuum drying oven is designed to remove moisture from a large spacecraft engine after it goes through a washing process. The previous conventional method of drying took over 12 hours due to the intricacy of small diameter tubing, fine screen meshes, and other hard to get to areas. The vacuum drying oven will reduce that time to 4 hours. This vacuum drying oven utilizes radiant heat wrapped around the pressure walls to heat the product to approximately 100°F.
  • An electrically heated two-zone bottom flow conveyor oven was shipped to the consumer goods industry by Wisconsin Oven. This belt conveyor oven will be used to cure a latex barrier coating onto maple syrup bottles.
  • Exlabesa, an aluminum extrusion provider for the construction industry in Europe, recently ordered a multi-chamber PR130 melting furnace (complete with charging unit) for its Hertwich continuous homogenizing plant at its Padron (Spain) based facility. This furnace will increase its capacity to 60,000 tons from its Padron casthouse. The new furnace with a capacity of 130 tons per day is designed for a relatively wide range of scrap.  The temperature level in the main chamber from which the melt is tapped for casting is about 1800°F (1000°C).
  • Walsin Yantai Stainless Steel Co. Ltd. has contracted with Primetals Technologies to design and manufacture a new stainless steel combination mill to convert billets from an existing plant into finished products with precision tolerance and surface quality. Located in Yantai, Shandong Province, China, the new mill project with Primetals Technologies will be completed in consortium with CERI Long Product Co. Ltd., including all electrics and automation to approach Industry 4.0. The combination mill will have a straight bar outlet, a bar-in-coil outlet, and a wire rod outlet.
  • A leading industrial engineering and manufacturing group recently completed several furnace projects for global clients. Fives was contracted by Habaş, a leading conglomerate in Turkey which operates in the field of industrial gases, steel, LPG, and heavy machine manufacturing, to design and supply a new generation slab reheating furnace, the Stein Digit@l Furnace®, for its hot strip mill, located in Izmir, Turkey. In addition, Shijiazhuang Iron & Steel Company within China’s HBIS Group ordered two Stein Digit@l Furnaces® from Fives to reheat blooms and billets. The walking beam furnace will have a production capacity of 130 tons per hour and will operate on natural gas. Fives was also selected by Yantai Walsin Stainless Steel to design and supply an ultra-low NOx emission furnace to reheat long products. Yantai Walsin Stainless Steel is a subsidiary of Walsin Lihwa, a world-leading manufacturer of stainless steel, power cables, and wires.
  • A 500°F (260°C) enhanced-duty walk-in oven was delivered by Lewco Inc., of Sandusky, Ohio, that will be used to dry various parts during a manufacturing process.

Kudos Chatter

  • Sr. Quality Engineer)
  • Flash Steelworks, located in Washington, Michigan, provides a patented process for heat-treating steel that leads to mass reduction, performance improvement, and cost savings. This distinction gained them a position among 24 semi-finalists for the 10th annual Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, where the top prize is $350,000.
  • Materials Solutions, a Siemens company specialized in additive manufacturing (AM), has achieved Nadcap accreditation for AM in the aerospace industry. The accreditation is reportedly the first by a UK company. Materials Solutions, which has its headquarters in Worcester, has provided AM parts and components to the aerospace industry since its founding in 2006. The business is a pioneer in the use of selective laser melting (SLM) technology for the manufacture of high-performance metal parts. SLM applications in the Materials Solutions factory range from high-temperature components found in gas turbines and jet engines, to tooling applications as well as lightweight structural components and hydraulic applications.

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com

15 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items to Keep You Current Read More »

40 Under 40 Class of 2019 Members Attending Heat Treat Show 2019

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

The Class of 2019 40 Under 40, revealed online on October 4, was featured at the Heat Treat Today booth at the Heat Treat Show in Detroit, Michigan. Here is a group photo of most of those still present on the last day:

Matt Watts (Ultra Electronics Energy), Mike Harrison (Gasbarre), Ben Gasbarre (Gasbarre), Tom Zimmerman (ATP), Chris Davidson (SSi), Neal Conway (Delta H), Brandon Sheldon (Plibrico), Kyle Hummel (Contour), Sergio Cantu (Quaker Houghton), Uwe Rahn (Rubig), Justin Dzik (Fives)

 

Several recipients stopped by to get their pictures taken alongside their photo on the pop-up banner. See the gallery below, and Click here to see the announcement of the full Class of 2019.

40 Under 40 Class of 2019 Members Attending Heat Treat Show 2019 Read More »

15 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • TimkenSteel has announced that Ward J. “Tim” Timken, Jr. has stepped down as CEO and president and as chairman of the TimkenSteel board of directors. Effective immediately, the Board of Directors has appointed Terry L. Dunlap as the company’s interim CEO and president. John P. Reilly, the current lead director of the TimkenSteel board of directors, will immediately assume the role of chairman of the board.
  • Rick Merluzzi has been promoted to the position of CEO at Metal Exchange Corporation. Mike Lefton, current chairman and CEO, will assume the title of executive chairman. Merluzzi oversees all their businesses, including Metal Exchange Trading, Pennex Aluminum Company, Continental Aluminum and Electro Cycle, Inc.
  • Platte River Equity has sold its portfolio company PRV Metals to Tinicum LP. PRV Metals, a leading supplier of specialty forged titanium and high-performance steel products to aerospace, defense, medical, energy, and industrial sectors, operates through two subsidiaries Sierra Alloys and TSI Titanium. 
  • US aviation group Collins Aerospace has extended the contracts for the supply of thrust reverser housings for the engine gondolas of the Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 aircraft. The order includes the delivery of the engine cowlings into the next decade. This contract renewal is a major contribution to strengthening FACC’s position as an international partner in the Engines & Nacelles segment.
  • Bodycote Thermal Processing Inc has announced it will spend $15.3 million to renovate and equip a dilapidated, 58,000-square-foot building in Geddes, New York, to replace the company’s facility that burned down in Van Buren, New York, in 2018. Equipment will be purchased that will allow the company to perform heat treatment processes not currently available in the United States.
  • Element Materials Technology has announced that its new aerospace materials testing laboratory in Shanghai, China, is now open for business. Element confirmed it has completed a number of accreditations including ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and Nadcap, with OEM audits underway. The new laboratory specializes in a comprehensive range of services that include: chemical analysis; fatigue testing; failure investigation; mechanical testing; metallurgical analysis, and on-site testing at client sites. Customers will also benefit from pre-testing services, including a full machine shop and heat treatment furnaces for the treatment of materials prior to testing.
  • Construction is moving forward at a brisk pace at Stack Metallurgical Group‘s new Albany, Oregon site, where the company will offer both Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and vacuum heat-treating services.

Equipment Chatter

  • Three intelligent waste heat recovery systems have been awarded by Tangshan Zhengfeng Iron & Steel Co., LTD, in Hebei Province, China, to Tenova, a Techint Group company specializing in innovative solutions for the metals and mining industries.
  • A contract to supply on-site nitrogen to Samwha Capacitor’s new multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) plant being built adjacent to its existing plant in Yongin, South Korea, has been awarded to Air Products. Under the new contract, Air Products will expand its nitrogen capacity to support the increasing demand from Samwha Capacitor’s existing and new plants.
  • Advanced soft magnetic expertise and ultra-efficient electrical components will be provided by Carpenter Technology to multiple OEMs to progress their electric aircraft aspirations.  Carpenter Technology will provide advanced soft magnetic expertise and ultra-efficient electrical components to be used in R&D and demonstrator motors and engines, leading to construction of lighter-weight, longer-lasting electric propulsion systems.
  • Two reheating furnaces to reheat blooms and billets have been delivered to Shijiazhuang Iron & Steel Company within China’s HBIS Group by Fives.

Kudos Chatter

  • Element Materials Technology has been awarded the 2018 Gold Boeing Performance Excellence Award (BPEA) for its Huntington Beach, California, laboratory, while the Element Los Angeles laboratory won Silver. The annual award recognizes superior performance in the highest tiers of Boeing’s supply chain. This is the second year Element Huntington Beach has achieved the Gold award and the first year that Element Los Angeles has achieved Silver status.
  • Plibrico Corporation has awarded employees Joe Feldhacker, a project manager from Plibrico’s Omaha, Nebraska location, and Lou Calderon, refractory CAD designer in the company’s engineering department in Northbrook, Illinois, API 936 Refractory Personnel Certification. Both demonstrated advanced knowledge of installation, inspection, testing and repair of monolithic refractory linings, passing the rigorous API 936 exam administered by the American Petroleum Institute (API), a national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry.
  • Spirit AeroSystems was recognised at the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) with the Award for Composite Excellence (ACE) in Manufacturing: Material and Process Innovation. Spirit received the award for its development of the Advanced Structures Technology and Revolutionary Architecture (ASTRA) demonstrator aircraft panel, which was displayed at the CAMX conference in Anaheim, California.
  • The 100th nacelle system for Airbus’ A330neo wide-body jetliner has been delivered by Safran Nacelles.

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com

15 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items to Keep You Current Read More »

Industrial Gas Supply, Equipment Group Breaks Ground for Global Headquarters

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

An industrial gases company that supplies applications to heat treating facilities recently broke ground on its new global headquarters in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

Seifi Ghasemi, chairman, president, and CEO, Air Products

Air Products, which provides industrial gases and related equipment to dozens of industries and is a leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, hosted a celebration for Air Products colleagues and state and local elected officials and dignitaries. The company offers applications for annealing, brazing, hardening, and sintering to multiple industries, including medical, refining, chemical, metals, and manufacturing.

“We need a headquarters that represents who we are as a world-leading company,” said Seifi Ghasemi, chairman, president, and CEO. “We want to create modern office and R&D facilities that are energizing, collaborative and inclusive. When you see the new global headquarters renderings, without any doubt, the new office space and world-class R&D facility will be representative of who we are and what we stand for. This new headquarters will exemplify our ‘4S’ culture and reflect the safety, speed, simplicity, and self-confidence that have driven our success and will continue to do so.”

“We will also emphasize a fifth ‘S’ with these new facilities – Sustainability,” added Ghasemi. “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do as a business, every day around the world. That’s important to our customers, our partners, and our talented and committed employees. . . . I believe very strongly that every company has a foundational culture, and there is value in preserving that, even as you move that culture forward. Air Products has a nearly 80-year history – most of it right here in the Lehigh Valley. There are certain values instilled in people because of where we are today, because of the people who live in this area, who contribute to its success, and who call it home. There is a lot of value in preserving that.  So, it became clear this location worked best for us, and we have never wavered from the decision to stay.”

The address of the new headquarters is 1940 Air Products Boulevard, signifying the year Air Products was founded.

Main photo credit/caption: Air Products / (L to R) PA Senator Pat Browne, PA Representative Gary Day, Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi, DCED Executive Deputy Secretary Neil Weaver, Air Products Strategic Projects VP Pat Garay and Senior VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Victoria Brifo participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the company’s new global headquarters located in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

Industrial Gas Supply, Equipment Group Breaks Ground for Global Headquarters Read More »

Heat Treat Today Launches Live Link to Digital Edition of 2019 Heat Treat Show Issue

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

Print copies of the Heat Treat Today fall 2019 publication began hitting mailboxes throughout the heat treat industry over the past couple of week, and now the digital edition is officially launched—today, Monday, October 7, 2019—with the following features:

  • 40 Under 40 Class of 2019, highlighting 40 enthusiastic, forward-thinking, skilled professionals who have made a mark on the heat treating industry before their 41st birthday (plus 8 Honorable Mentions)
  • 101 Heat Treat Tips—troubleshooting, preventative, green initiatives, safety reminders, time savers—from experts representing all facets of the heat treating industry
  • A round-up of News Chatter items featuring personnel and company news, equipment transactions, acquisitions and expansions, and kudos

Go here for the digital edition, or go to www.heattreattoday.com and click on the Resources tab to link to the Digital Edition.

If you’ll be at ASM’s Heat Treat Show, visit us at Booth #2123 to discuss how Heat Treat Today can help you do your business, and remember to check out your registration packet for a complimentary copy of the print magazine!

Heat Treat Today Launches Live Link to Digital Edition of 2019 Heat Treat Show Issue Read More »

Introducing Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2019

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

Heat Treat Today is very pleased to present the 40 Under 40 Class of 2019. These enthusiastic, forward-thinking, skilled professionals are part of the reason the future of this industry is bright. We invite you to click to our newly unveiled page and read how Heat Treat Today’s 2nd class of 40 Under 40  is breaking barriers, saying yes to challenges, resolving the impossible, and reinforcing the culture of hard work and customer service.

Have a young professional in mind who should have been included? The nomination page will remain live to begin receiving submissions for the 40 Under 40 Class of 2020. Do it now!

Print copies of the Heat Treat Today Fall 2019 magazine have already been mailed out—we hear from many of you that you’ve received your issue—and if you’re at ASM’s Heat Treat Show next week, keep an eye out for your complimentary copy in your registration packet, or visit us at Booth #2123 and pick up a copy. This edition features the Class of 2019 40 Under 40, as well as the Honorable Mentions, and many articles pertinent to our industry such as 101 Heat Treat Tips and samplings from our News Chatter feature.

In addition, you can sneak a peek at the digital version of the print edition by clicking here.

Thanks to all those who nominated individuals for this inaugural 40 Under 40 Class of 2019.

Click here for the 2019 Honorable Mentions.

Introducing Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 Read More »

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • Gregory Scheuring has joined Solar Atmospheres of Western PA (SAWPA) as plant metallurgist.
  • Precise Metal Products, a leading manufacturer of complex metal assemblies for many of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies, was recently acquired by an affiliate of Staple Street Capital in partnership with Thompson Capital Partners.
  • A leading global provider of high-performance specialty materials used in thermal management, emission control, batteries, specialty filtration and fire protection applications recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Shenyang JiuQing Dongxiang Glass Product Co. Ltd, a leading provider of high-performance specialty fibers in China. Unifrax, which is backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., acquired the assets from the Li family.
  • American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM) recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. iron casting operations to funds managed by Gamut Capital Management. Across 10 manufacturing facilities, Grede develops, manufactures, assembles and supplies ductile, gray, and specialty iron castings and machined components for automotive, commercial vehicle and industrial markets.  AAM will retain its El Carmen, Mexico, iron casting operations, which will continue to provide significant vertical integration benefits to AAM, while also continuing to serve external customers in Mexico and other global markets.
  • Magnetic Specialties, Inc. (MSI), which manufactures heavy-duty power supplies for the electric furnace industry, specialty transformers and reactors for various industries, and smaller specialty transformers for the electrical and electronic industry, announced the construction of a new 4,800 SF addition to its plant space in Telford, Pennsylvania. Mike Afflerbach, President of MSI, said the building addition is essential for added efficiencies and expansion of useable floor space in his main manufacturing building.

Equipment Chatter

  • A nitriding system was supplied to Hydro Extrusion Solutions in Trzcianka, Poland, to address the company’s need for improved process performance and more accurate control of nitriding results. The Nitrex N-EXT 812 nitriding system provided by Nitrex Metals replaces a decommissioned nitrider that was phased out several years ago due to extrusion die failures and inconsistent metallurgical results.
  • An electric annealing furnace was manufactured for a major manufacturer by Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems. This is the second 48″ wide belt furnace Gasbarre has supplied this company. The furnace came equipped with 3 heating zones that can heat up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • A 350°F (177°C) clean room oven, No. 1048, being used for the final cure of hardcoated optical lenses, was recently supplied by Grieve to the customer at its facility.
  • A leading manufacturer of calcium phosphate materials used for medical devices recently purchased a furnace from L&L Special Furnace Co, Inc. This is the fifth Model GS1714 furnace shipped to this company. The calcium phosphate powder is sintered in the furnace at a temperature of about 2,200°F (1,204°C).
  • ALD recently delivered a SyncroTherm system to a well-known institute in the Beijing area, the first for the Chinese market.

Kudos Chatter

  • Novelis’ Terre Haute, Indiana, facility recently celebrated 60 years with its 160 employees. Current and retired employees, their families and community leaders attended the celebration.
  • The Industrial Heating Equipment Association’s (IHEA) Infrared Equipment Division (IRED) recently completed revisions to its popular Infrared Process Heating Handbook for Industrial Applications. This quick introduction to the many applications of infrared heating in industrial processes has been updated to include new technical information, additional application examples, and new case studies.

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current Read More »

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • Recent changes in leadership at Nucor Corporation include the following: Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Nadja Y. West has been elected to join the board of directors, effective immediately. General West retired earlier this year after 37 years with the U.S. Army. In addition, John J. Ferriola will retire as chairman and CEO on December 31, 2019; the board of directors elected Leon J. Topalian to be president and COO, effective September 5, 2019, and to succeed Mr. Ferriola as CEO on January 1, 2020.
  • StandardAero has acquired Safe Aviation Solutions (including Safe Fuel, Accel, and B&E ACR), formerly the MRO services subsidiary of the B&E Group, which will continue to expand StandardAero’s Components, Helicopters & Accessories (CH&A) division and its portfolio of MRO and component repair services.
  • Dana Incorporated announced the acquisition of Nordresa Motors, Inc., a prominent integration and application engineering expert for the development and commercialization of electric powertrains for commercial vehicles.
  • Central Machine & Tool, a manufacturer and global distributor of quick connect/disconnect couplings, castings, clamps and bandings and provider of heat treating, fabrication, machining, and injection molding services, will now be known as PT World Headquarters. The launch of the new branding and signage included employees, staff, and guests. Matt Parrish, president, and Amy Parrish, vice-president of corporate communications, spoke about the new branding and the direction of the Enid, Oklahoma, company.
  • Allison Transmission Holdings Inc., a global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions, announced that it has acquired the assets and certain liabilities of Walker Die Casting located in Lewisburg, Tennessee, and C&R Tool and Engineering located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Walker produces aluminum castings and has been a supplier to Allison for 20 years. Allison is committed to continuing the 60-year-old company’s legacy. C&R Tool and Engineering is a leading supplier of metalworking tools for use at Walker and other companies.
  • Constellium N.V., Amsterdam, announces that it will be the primary supplier of aluminum auto body sheet for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS model, which entered the market in March 2018.

Equipment Chatter

  • A company operating in the nuclear sector recently purchased an advanced heat treatment vacuum furnace with a maximum temperature of 2408°F (1320°C) from TAV Vacuum Furnaces Spa.
  • A prominent aerospace equipment manufacturer is working with SECO/VACUUM Technologies (SVT) to bring the company’s low pressure carburizing and hardening work in-house. SVT will be supplying a CaseMaster Evolution® (CMe) dual-chamber vacuum oil quench furnace.
  • An electrically heated heavy-duty Ferris wheel batch oven has been shipped to a company in the aerospace industry by Wisconsin Oven Corporation. This Ferris wheel oven will be used to cure epoxy resins & varnishes on assorted aerospace parts. In addition, Wisconsin Oven shipped a natural gas-fired conveyor oven to the automation industry, which will be used to cure a resin formed mat.
  • Primetals Technologies will build a combined aluminum hot rolling mill for the production of heavy plate and strip for BaoWu Aluminium Technology Ltd., which is part of BaoWu Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd, the highest-profile steel producer in China. The new rolling mill will be built in Sanmenxia, in the Henan province, and have an annual production capacity of 300,000 metric tons.

Kudos Chatter

  • Onex, Inc., recently received a plant visit from Pennsylvania State Representative Lee James. Talks surrounded the need for skilled labor in manufacturing and the valuable careers available at Onex and in the industry.
  • Thermal-Vac Technology is proud to be included on Inc. magazine’s prestigious Inc. 5000 list for 2019. Inc. 5000 lists the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Thermal-Vac has grown 64 percent in the last three years. “We are excited to have our team’s hard work recognized by Inc. magazine,” CEO Heather Falcone said. “As a service business, we only grow by delivering what we promise. I think everyone at Thermal-Vac can be proud of what we’ve built.”

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current Read More »

Refractory Manufacturer Completes Alabama Expansion

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES, INSULATION NEWS

A Columbus, Ohio-based global manufacturer of monolithic refractories and precast refractory shapes combined two of their recently acquired facilities into one larger location.

Allied Mineral Products purchased Riverside Refractories in 2017, which included two Alabama locations – Anniston and Pell City. Allied moved the Anniston operation to the now expanded Pell City facility in hopes of better serving their local customer base in the southeast region.

Parker Morris

Upon completion of the Pell City facility, a fountain was dedicated to the Morris family (operators of the former Riverside Refractories) for their service to the refractory industry, local community and their employees. A plaque was presented to Parker Morris, one of the family members who operated Riverside Refractories for decades.

Allied has three other US manufacturing operations: Columbus, Ohio; Brownsville, Texas; and Chehalis, Washington.

Refractory Manufacturer Completes Alabama Expansion Read More »

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