HEAT TREAT NEWS

2025 Hiring in Heat Treat Q&A

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

In this informative piece, professional recruiters in the heat treat industry answer questions about what to expect in the heat treat industry’s hiring environment, with valuable insight both for hiring companies and rising talent.

Josh Hale, managing recruiter, and Jessica Maier, senior recruiter, both of International Search Partners, discuss changes in the hiring landscape within the heat treat industry. Their topics include adaptability to industrial technology innovations, Gen Z expectations and how hiring personnel can best articulate their needs to this labor group, and the most in-demand skill that industry employers will be looking for in 2025.

This article was first released in Heat Treat Today’s January 2025 Technologies To Watch in Heat Treating print edition.

Q1: In 2020–2021, placing long term employees became a difficult challenge to solve. As we approach the end of 2024, how has the hiring scene changed?

Josh Hale (JH): In many ways it hasn’t; it continues to be a candidate-driven market that’s tight on talent and robust in openings, and it’s hard to see things changing any time soon. With more established professionals entering retirement, fewer new workers coming in from the younger generations to meet replacement needs, and overall growth in the industry, there very simply remains a huge demand for workers and a dearth of supply.

Q2: The nature of work continues to evolve rapidly. From robotics and AI to various GPTs tailored for specific company use, industrial technology innovations continue to alter the workplace. For an industry that historically has been slow to change, have we seen any changes in how heat treat employers look to fill labor needs, compensate employees, etc.?

JH: It’s taken some time, but finally, YES! The heat treat industry isn’t known to be the bastion of new technology and has a reputation for being slow to change, but we’re just now starting to see some developments, including very simple things like touch screens, updated computers, etc. to bigger, more cultural shifts, like flexible schedules and remote work options (where applicable). At FNA in October, there were even a few furnace OEMs sharing new artificial intelligence products! This is all great news, especially for a historically very traditional industry that has been slow to evolve. Progress, growth, and getting up to speed with 21st century systems, tools, and norms goes a long way towards attracting younger talent.

Q3: What strategies have heat treat departments or companies been using to find, hire and retain the “best fit” job hires? What makes them successful (or not successful at all)?

JH: The best way for a company to hire top talent is to engage the services of a professional recruiter. I might be biased, but there’s a good reason for this — in a tight labor market where unemployment is at record lows, the best employees are currently working and engaged in their jobs and being treated very well by their employers. High performers aren’t trolling job boards, applying online, or sending out résumés. An experienced recruiter can reach this untapped market of passive candidates by reaching out to currently employed individuals and enticing them to other opportunities — I call this “surgical recruiting” because it is quite simply “cutting” an employee out of one company and placing them in another.

I also like using sports as an analogy. Imagine that you want to put together the best baseball team in the world. Are you going to post an ad online and hope Shohei Ohtani applies, or are you going to pursue him and try and lure him to quit the Dodgers and join your team? That’s the difference between direct recruiting vs. “post and pray” (the nickname recruiters give to advertising jobs online and hoping for the best), and the service that a good third-party recruiter provides.

Q4: When it comes to young people (particularly Gen Z), they have grown up in a different age of the internet and have certain expectations about what starting a career looks like, such as: How or when career mile markers are accomplished, the purpose of work, the nature of how work is accomplished, and what job benefits should look like. Translated to the heat treat industry, are there any expectations that you would encourage Gen Z to maintain, and why? Alternatively, are there certain misconceptions that you would want to reframe for them so they have a better idea of what to look for in their job options?

Jessica Maier (JM): I’m closer to this generation than Josh (Gen X), but I’m still a Millennial. I have also studied the topic and talked to many in the Gen Z workforce and gotten a good sense of their expectations. From my research, early career Gen Zs are looking for the following (along with my commentary as it pertains to the heat treat industry):

1. GEN Z EXPECTATION: 2–3 year mile markers (target and goals accompanied by either promotion or raises)

HEAT TREAT TRANSLATION: One thing that we’re seeing with the younger generation is that company loyalty is becoming less valued. If Gen Z workers don’t see the mile markers that they’re looking for in those first few years, their eyes will start to wander. While a promotion might not always be viable for someone working in a small commercial heat treat company, raises combined with praise go a long way and are achievable for most managers.

2. GEN Z EXPECTATION: A strong sense of purpose in their work (i.e., they want to feel fulfilled in their work and not feel like they’re just punching a clock)

HEAT TREAT TRANSLATION: Heat treating has a huge impact on the world, but that contribution can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of everyday work. An initiative to highlight these impacts could go a long way. Additionally, we often hear from younger candidates, “I don’t want to feel like a number; I want to feel like a human being.” Managers making a point to make sure their employees feel seen and heard could also be a quick and easy (and free!) feel good fix in this regard.

3. GEN Z EXPECTATION: PTO around 15–20 days to start, not including holidays along with basic benefits (medical/vision/401k)

HEAT TREAT TRANSLATION: Gen Z would do well to adjust these expectations a bit. I have rarely seen an entry-level position begin with more than 2 weeks (10 days) PTO. This is the norm for the first year of employment with opportunities to gain more in the future. Other benefits (health insurance, etc.) are usually standard across the board for most companies. As Gen Zs are younger and typically single, they are not usually looking at benefits for families but focused on individual care. In general, however, the more that is paid by the company, the more appealing it is for the worker (which can be a useful recruitment and/or retention tool).

Note about 401ks … Gen Z is learning from previous generation’s mistakes and are very interested in getting a jump on their retirement funds. With that, and in the same vein as the benefits, the higher the percentage matched by the company, the more appealing it is to the employee — another great tool for attracting top talent!

4. GEN Z EXPECTATION: Work/life balance (including the WFH trend kicked off by the pandemic)

HEAT TREAT TRANSLATION: In a post-COVID world, “work/life balance” is a huge buzz word in the hiring process, and with that, I see some good news and bad news as it pertains to the heat treating industry … the good news for Gen Z is that we’re seeing a trend of companies understanding that when an employee is not “on the clock,” they are not expected to be attached to their phones or emails and provide an immediate response. The bad news for Gen Z is that being on site is critical for many/most of the jobs in the industry. Of course, there are exceptions (hello, Sales!), but generally, it remains true that remote work is untenable for most heat treaters.

5. GEN Z EXPECTATION: Fair pay

HEAT TREAT TRANSLATION: We could talk about this for hours, but I’ll boil it down to this: If you’re a younger Gen Z who is looking for a job, you’re likely not going to get the pay that your professor, buddy, or family member told you to aim for … on the flipside, if you’re a manager looking to hire, you’re probably going to pay a little more for entry-level talent than you probably thought. Expectations need to be adjusted on both sides.

Q5: What is the number one mistake entry-level engineers in heat treat make when applying for jobs?

JM: This sounds crazy but the number one mistake is not applying! I can’t tell you how many times we talk to talented engineers that see a job description and decide that they are not right for a role because they don’t have one or two of the bullet points listed. You need to take job descriptions with a grain of salt. Generally, the description is a list of what an employee will be doing once they’ve earned the role, but what many people forget is that you can (and will) learn skills on the job. Speaking to employers now — if you want superstar entry-level engineers to eventually take the place of your veterans that are nearing (well deserved!) retirement, invest in heat treat education for the younger generation!

It’s taken some time, but finally, YES! The heat treat industry isn’t known to be the bastion of new technology and has a reputation for being slow to change, but we’re just now starting to see some developments, including very simple things like touch screens, updated computers, etc. to bigger, more cultural shifts, like flexible schedules and remote work options (where applicable).

Josh Hale

Q6: In 2025, what will be the most in-demand skill that industry employers will be looking for? What can job seekers do to position themselves best for this position?

JM: Field service and maintenance. Next question.

JH: Okay, I’ll handle this one … Jessica isn’t joking. FSEs and maintenance professionals of all levels are hyper in demand across the board. If you can spell “PLC” and have seen a furnace, we probably have a job for you! To get more to the heart of your question, however, we are seeing companies seeking more communication skills. Gone are the days of engineers sitting behind a desk and programming all day from their cubicle. Today’s technical roles often involve customer interaction, sales support, and a level of interdisciplinary collaboration that requires interpersonal skills, verbal communication abilities, and competency in writing. Often, we see the “C” student who maybe partied a little too hard in college but learned to socialize get hired over the “A+” candidate who can’t string a coherent sentence together while making eye contact. A lot of this might sound like stereotypes, but it is true. I recommend students in engineering and materials science to take some humanities or writing courses in college to help and that more established workers should consider toastmasters or improv classes to better position themselves to be competitive in the future.

Q7: 10 years from now, what can we expect to change in job openings, availability, and work-life balance in the heat treat industry?

JM: I wish I had a crystal ball to tell you the exact future, but seeing as I’m only human, here are my best guesses:

  • Job openings: As someone who has spent almost a decade working in the heat treat world, I can safely say that most of the job openings will remain the same. Roles like field service engineer, sales, metallurgist, design engineer, etc. will always be in demand. However, I think we will start to see more technology incorporated into these roles. At the most recent FNA show in October, we saw many companies bringing new and better software into the mix. Not only will current positions start to involve more tech, but I think we will see some newer positions, like software engineers, join the industry as well.
  • Availability: As mentioned, a lot of experienced heat treat professionals are starting to reach retirement age, while some are working well into their 60s and beyond, I think we’re going to hit a point in the next 10 years where that dam will break, and we’ll see a large wave of retirement which will open up A LOT of previously tenured positions.
  • Work-life balance: For Gen Z, work-life balance is of high priority. For heat treat companies to compete, they need to be willing to give more consideration to remote work where applicable and offer flex schedules when possible. Of course, many of the roles we come across in the heat treat industry would not do well remote as they are either hands-on or collaborative. That said, for an on site employee, 40–50 hours should be considered the norm. With many heat treaters operating 24/7, companies may need to come to terms with the need to hire more people or dole out extra incentives, such as bonuses or overtime to keep their workforce engaged.

About the Authors:

Josh Hale, Managing Recruiter, International Search Partners (left)
Jessica Maier, Senior Recruiter, International Search Partners (right)

Josh Hale has collaborated with companies to identify, engage, and hire top performers as a professional “headhunter” where he’s focused exclusively on the heat treat industry as part of International Search Partners since acquiring the firm in 2015.

Jessica Maier works closely with him to support the practice, and, together, they’ve helped dozens of companies and hundreds of candidates find a match within the industry, including roles for engineering, sales, quality, metallurgy, management, and more.

For more information: Contact Josh and Jessica at info@internationalsearchpartners.net or call 619-465-9621.

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

2025 Hiring in Heat Treat Q&A Read More »

News From Abroad: Launches and Strategic Steps

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

In today’s News from Abroad installment, we highlight changes in personnel, production lines, and facilities throughout the industry, including the launch of a new refractory technology and an aerospace manufacturer updating its operations with a batch oven. Read more about these updates as well as those a thermal processing company is taking affect its management line-up and its facilities footprint.

Heat Treat Today partners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience — manufacturers with in-house heat treat. Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe, and heat-processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbHa publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets.

Aerospace Manufacturer Adds Modern Batch Oven Solution

Collaboration to address operational challenges with batch oven

“International Thermal Systems (ITS) has successfully partnered with an aerospace company to address significant operational challenges by designing and delivering a customized batch oven solution. The collaboration highlights ITS’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The aerospace company faced significant challenges with their existing batch oven…

International Thermal Systems aimed to address these challenges by replacing the unsafe, outdated batch oven with a safer and more modern alternative. Their goal was to improve usability by incorporating updated controls and optimizing the loading and unloading processes… [ITS] designed and installed a state-of-the-art batch oven featuring melting wax technology to optimize production processes. Advanced control systems were integrated to enhance operational ease and precision.”

READ MORE: “International Thermal Systems Enhances Aerospace Manufacturing with Custom Batch Oven Solution” at heat-processing.com. 

Refractory Technology Launched To Address Kiln Interruptions

Refractory technology for use in many industrial applications and all types of industrial furnaces

“Calderys is pleased to announce the launch of CALDE® FD (Fast Dry), a refractory technology that can be used in many industrial applications and offers superior efficiency and reliability for all types of industrial furnaces. Calderys is constantly striving to improve its processes in order to offer its customers the best possible solutions. In the field of cementitious refractory concretes, the drying out of the furnaces is a critical challenge due to its duration, regardless of the industrial process. Once the refractory lining has been installed, the kilns are unusable for up to several days to allow drying out, which inevitably leads to an interruption in operations.

Calderys is directly addressing this by expanding its product offering with the CALDE® FD (Fast Dry) range. This solution has been designed to integrate seamlessly into the Calderys product range. Crucially, the CALDE® FD products offer customers increased reliability, reduced downtime, streamlined processes and improvements in CO2 reduction. This expanded product range has been developed in line with Calderys’ ESG objectives to support customers with their energy transition requirements.”

READ MORE: “Calderys Launches an Expanded Range of Fast Dry Refractory Solutions To Improve the Drying of Industrial Furnaces“ at heat-processing.com

AICHELIN Makes Changes in Management and Site Operations

Management and business strategy changes at AICHELIN

“Philipp Krenn, Managing Director of AICHELIN Ges.m.b.H. in Austria, has taken over the management of the German AICHELIN Service GmbH in Ludwigsburg on February 1, 2025. The company is the leading company within the AICHELIN Group for all services for thermal processing systems… Philipp Krenn will intensify the cooperation between the locations in Austria and Germany.

At the same time, the AICHELIN Group has decided to discontinue the business operations of its Slovenian subsidiary Bosio d.o.o. and to have all products supplied by Aichelin Ges.m.b.H (Austria) in the future. Production will not be affected and will continue to take place at the AICHELIN Assembly Center Europe (AICHELIN ACE d.o.o.) in Celje, Slovenia, which [opened] in 2023… The decision to take this step is the result of intensive analyses and a strategic adjustment to the current economic conditions in Europe.”

READ MORE: “AICHELIN Group Strengthens European Business with Future-Oriented Structure“ at heat-processing.com

Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

News From Abroad: Launches and Strategic Steps Read More »

What If We’re Wrong About CO2 & Global Warming?

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, PUBLISHER'S PAGE

Heat Treat Today publishes twelve print magazines a year, and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter first appeared in January 2025 Technologies To Watch print edition.

Feel free to contact Doug at doug@heattreattoday.com if you have a question or comment. 

I recently attended the Industrial Heating Equipment Association Decarbonization SUMMIT in Indianapolis at the Conrad Hotel. Roughly 100 thermal processing industry professionals participated in this two-day long event. As I listened to all presentations over those two days and going back even further to the planning of the event — which, by the way, I’d like to commend Jeff Rafter of Selas Heat Technology for his leadership, Mike Stowe of Advanced Energy for his technical contributions, and Goyer Management for their diligent work to produce this SUMMIT — I noticed that nearly everything being discussed was predicated on the assumption that global warming, and specifically man-induced global warming, is a real and settled science.

I’d like to challenge that assumption.

Firstly, legacy media, the federal government, academia, and the scientists who deliver the science we’re called to follow — i.e. “follow the science” — are all strong proponents of man-made global warming and the evil of CO2. This grouping of authorities, in and of itself, causes many to be suspicious, given this group’s historic record of dishonesty and deception. If this group has been so wrong in the past on macro-social economic issues (e.g., Covid) would it not be reasonable to question their claims about climate change?

Secondly, the science doesn’t seem to be as settled as claimed.

John F. Clauser, a Nobel laureate in Physics, has been articulate in his doubts about the climate crisis.

  • “The popular narrative about climate change reflects a dangerous corruption of science that threatens the world’s economy and the well being of billions of people.”
  • “I don’t believe there is a climate crisis. The world we live in today is filled with misinformation. It is up to each of you to serve as judges, distinguish truth from falsehood based on accurate observations of the phenomena.”
  • “Great news! There is no climate crisis! Much as it may upset many people, my message is that the planet is not in peril.”

Ivar Giaever, another Nobel laureate in Physics, has been clear in his skepticism about global warming.

  • “Global warming has become a new religion. We frequently hear about the number of scientists who support it. But the number is not important: only whether they are correct is important.”
  • “It is amazing how stable temperature has been over the last 150 years.”
  • “I am a skeptic. Global warming has become a new religion.”
  • “We don’t really know what the actual effect [of CO2] on the global temperature is. There are better ways to spend the money.”

Richard Lindzen, professor emeritus of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT, has been a vocal critic of the consensus on human-caused global warming.

Willie Soon, an astrophysicist, geoscientist, and aerospace engineer at Harvard’s Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, questions the extent of the human impact on climate change.

Frederick Seitz, former president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, has expressed doubts about the severity of global warming.

Ian Plimer, an Australian geologist and professor emeritus at the University of Melbourne, is a prominent climate skeptic.

Peter Ridd, a former professor at James Cook University in Australia, has been a vocal critic of climate change science.

Jim Mason, PhD in Experimental Nuclear Physics from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, recently published an excellent article in The Epoch Times entitled, “A Physicist’s View of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Impact on Climate,” which seriously calls into question whether or not the concentration of CO2 gas in our atmosphere has the physical ability to produce global warming. Mason quotes the work done by two other physicists, William A. Van Wijngaarden and William Happer. Mason says, “The duo postulate that long-wavelength radiation (LWR) absorption does not increase in a linear fashion as CO2 increases but does so in an exponentially DECREASING fashion. Additional amounts of CO2 added to the [atmosphere] absorb ever-decreasing amounts of additional LWR, until at some point the CO2 is absorbing effectively all of the LWR in the [atmosphere] that CO2 can absorb. Absorption is saturated” (emphasis is mine).

The implication is that adding more CO2 to the atmosphere may have essentially no impact on global temperatures if CO2 is absorbing all that it can absorb. I highly recommend Mr. Mason’s article.

Given the above, I have a few questions:

  • What if we are wrong about decarbonization and these gentlemen are right?
  • Is there any wisdom in approaching this topic with a bit more caution?
  • Do any of you have doubts about the need to decarbonize, and if so, how do you reconcile those doubts with continued efforts to decarbonize and/or take Department of Energy grants and subsidies?
  • Is anyone concerned about the amount of money that we are throwing at this potentially non-problem and the enormous and devastating impact on our children’s financial future?
Doug Glenn
Publisher
Heat Treat Today

Contact Doug Glenn at doug@heattreattoday.com.

Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

What If We’re Wrong About CO2 & Global Warming? Read More »

18 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 18 news items.

Equipment

  1. Blue M, a global industrial and laboratory ovens manufacturer, has announced the shipment of a stacked mechanical convection oven to be used for non-hazardous curing applications between 570°F and 750°F (300°C and 400°C).
  2. Hammerer Aluminum Industries (HAI) has implemented a Nitrex nitriding system at its facility in Romania, replacing the traditional salt bath nitriding process. The new system has a load capacity of 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg), is designed specifically for treating extrusion dies, and offers controlled nitriding and controlled ferritic nitrocarburizing.
  3. SECO/WARWICK recently completed three transactions: a European manufacturer of modern armament equipment and armaments supplier for NATO acquired a vacuum furnace with gas cooling and a molybdenum heat chamber; a Slovenian manufacturer ordered a vacuum furnace with 15 bar high pressure gas hardening and two nitriding furnaces; and a Turkish company purchased an induction vacuum furnace for melting and obtaining castings designed for manufacturing aviation components.
Blue M’s stacked mechanical convection oven for non-hazardous curing applications
Nitrex nitriding system to replace salt bath nitriding system
Vacuum furnace and two nitriding furnaces sent to Slovenian client
SECO Vector vacuum furnace delivered to NATO member

Company & Personnel

  1. Industry veteran Mark Stein was recently added to the Nitrex team as regional sales manager for Michigan territory. In his role, Mark will lead sales initiatives across Michigan, working directly with current and prospective clients to enhance service, optimize growth strategies, and ensure market demands are met. 
  2. To mark 175 years of innovation in specialty chemicals and distribution, Hubbard-Hall recently unveiled a new logo and a completely redesigned website. The updates reflect the company’s rich history and ongoing evolution, noting its founding year of 1849.
  3. Bluestreak Compliance, a quality management (QMS) and manufacturing execution system (MES), has hired Rory Godsell as its new Cybersecurity Compliance Specialist to assist clients and their vendors in achieving compliance of NIST 800-171, CMMC and DFARS. He brings expertise in cybersecurity, penetration testing, ethical hacking, digital forensics, cyber operations, and project management, to the company’s mission of advancing CMMC certification services.
  4. Steelhead Technologies, which delivers ERP, MES, and CRM solutions designed to transform job shop manufacturing, recently announced the successful completion of a $12.5M Series B funding round. This brings the company’s total funding to $23 million. 
  5. Ipsen USA announced the promotion of two team members to new roles in 2025. Matt Clinite has been promoted to Ipsen USA Sales Director, and Christina Connelly has been promoted to Director of Ipsen Customer Service (ICS) – Parts.
Mark Stein
Regional Sales Manager for Michigan Territory
Nitrex
Screenshot of Hubbard-Hall’s new website
Rory Godsell
Cybersecurity Compliance Specialist
Bluestreak Compliance
$12.5M in funding for Steelhead Technologies
Matt Clinite
Sales Director
 Ipsen USA
Christina Connelly 
Director of Customer Service (ICS) – Parts
Ipsen USA

Kudos

  1. Kanthal, a leader in industrial heating technology, has won the prestigious industry award “E-prize” in the category Energy Optimization for its technology that helps companies and industries transform to a fossil-free production. The award is organized by Sweden’s largest business newspaper, Dagens Industri, and the newspaper, Aktuell Hållbarhet, together with the energy group E.ON.
  2. Aalberts surface technologies honored Olga Kovalenko, Patric Keune and Metin Önal for 25 years of commitment in Solingen. Presenting the certificates were Guido Heijnen, sales director, and plant manager Miguel Rodrigues.
  3. TAV VACUUM FURNACES was recently awarded the title of “Best Performer Enterprise 2024 in the Province of Bergamo.” This prestigious award is reserved for the top 1000 companies in the province.
  4. StandardAero was selected by US-Bangla Airlines, a leading Bangladeshi carrier, to provide OEM-authorized PW127M Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services. In addition, the company has been chosen by Brazilian Air Force to support PT6A-68C engines powering its A-29 Super Tucano Fleet, it has secured Indian DGCA Approval for its OEM-authorized PW127M Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services, and it has received CAAC Approval for Its LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Engine MRO Services, enabling it to support A320neo and B737 MAX operators across China.
  5. HeatTek, a leader in manufacturing ovens and washers, recently celebrated the company’s 25th anniversary, noting its numerous achievements since 1999, including industry accolades, editorial recognition, as well as awards identifying its positive culture as an employer. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone,” says Jason Plowman, president and 2nd generation owner of HeatTek. “The success we’ve achieved over the past 25 years is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our employees, the trust of our customers, and the support of our partners. We look forward to continuing our journey of innovation and growth in the years to come.”
  6. Ron Waligora, chief operating officer for AFC-Holcroft, recently announced his retirement date of May 4, 2025. Throughout his 36 years with the company, he moved through the engineering disciplines and eventually into a management role as mechanical engineering manager and later senior engineer manager in 2015. In the spring of 2023, Ron Waligora and Tracy Dougherty assumed the roles of chief operating officers. Upon the announcement of Ron’s retirement, Tracy assumed the role of president and CEO on January 1, 2025.
  7. Aalberts surface technologies is proud to announce they have received the EcoVadis Bronze Medal. The sustainability rating reviews a company’s management of economic, environmental, and social performance, covering different industries, locations, and company sizes contributing to business sustainability on a global scale, and is based on a “best-in-class” approach, assessing whether a company reaches the best possible level for their business activity.
  8. The Divergent team was recently granted the Nadcap 12-month Accreditation for the Additive Manufacturing (AM) scope.
  9. Solar Atmospheres Greenville, SC facility announced it has been awarded Parker Aerospace approval.
  10. Brad Stallsmith recently marked his retirement after 43 years of dedicated service at Peters’ Heat Treating. His journey has included starting the Blade Division, mentoring new team members and ensuring high standards in processing.
Nicolai Schaaf, Sustainability Manager at Kanthal, with E-prize
Miguel Rodrigues, Metin Önal, Olga Kovalenko, Patric Keune, and Guido Heijnen, of Aalberts surface technologies
TAV board member Gerolamo Soliveri on the company’s recognition

Jason Plowman
President/Owner
HeatTek
Ron Waligora, retiring COO, AFC-Holcroft
Brad Stallsmith, retiring after 43 years, Peters’ Heat Treating

Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

18 News Chatter To Keep You Current Read More »

News from Abroad: Mergers & Partnerships Ring in the New Year

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Today’s News from Abroad installment highlights a new year ringing in acquisitions, partnerships and mergers resulting in increased production and expanded facilities. Read more about a heat treater developing capabilities for the advancement of vacuum heat treatment technologies, an international refractory manufacturer launching innovative operations, and a modernization project aiming to double annual production capacity.

Heat Treat Today partners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience — manufacturers with in-house heat treat. Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe, and heat-processing. a Vulkan-Verlag GmbHa publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets.

Chinese Heat Treater Signs Agreement with ECM Technologies

M. Pelissier (left) of ECM Group & Mr. Wu (right) of Chun Yu Heat Treatment

“ECM Technologies, a subsidiary of the ECM Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese heat treater Chun Yu, to open a Synergy Center in Shanghai. Shanghai Chun Yu Metal Heat Treatment, known as CYHT, is a customer of ECM Technologies. Geared with 3 different LPC systems from ECM Technologies, both companies agreed to cooperate on process development. CYHT is becoming the first demonstration center for ECM Technologies in China. This bilateral agreement will enable both parties to develop their activities in China around vacuum heat treatment technologies.”

READ MORE: “ECM Technologies Has Signed a MOU with the Chinese Heat Treater Shanghai Chun Yu Metal Heat Treatment Co. Ltd (CYHT)” at heat-processing.com. 

RATH Mönchengladbach Opens Production Plant in Germany

International refractory manufacturer RATH opens new production plant

“The international refractory manufacturer RATH has been developing continuous oxide ceramic fibers as part of the HORIZON EUROPE project InVECOF (Innovative Value Chains for European Ceramic Oxide Fibers) for several years. A production plant for the manufacture of innovative oxide ceramic fibers has now been commissioned at the RATH Mönchengladbach site (Germany). In mid-October 2024, the company officially launched production of the ALTRA FLEX® oxide ceramic continuous fibers in K99 and M75 qualities, making it the first European supplier to offer a solution for composite material manufacturers and manufacturers and processors of heat-resistant fabrics. The new production facility will initially produce up to 10 tons of fibers per year.”

READ MORE: “RATH Starts Up Production Plant for the Manufacture of Innovative Oxide Ceramic Continuous Fibers” – at heat-processing.com

Marcegaglia Stainless Sheffield Partners with Primetals Technologies

Marcegaglia to equip all the production units of the minimill meltshop in Sheffield with automation systems from Primetals Technologies

“UK-based Marcegaglia Stainless Sheffield has partnered with Primetals Technologies to optimize production processes at its processes at its Sheffield minimill. The modernization project aims to double the plant’s annual production capacity from annual production capacity from 250,000 to 500,000 tonnes. Several intralogistics systems, process optimization solutions, technology packages and intelligent sensor systems will be installed in all production units of the in all production units of the melt shop, scrap yard and ladle tracking system.”

READ MORE: “Marcegaglia’s Partnership with Primetals Technologies to Result in Significant Productivity Improvements“ at heat-processing.com

Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

News from Abroad: Mergers & Partnerships Ring in the New Year Read More »

16 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 17 news items.

Equipment

  1. Pomini Tenova, which manufactures advanced roll shop equipment, recently signed two contracts for fully automatic roll shop equipment with Baowu of China. The first contract includes a set of four automatic CNC roll grinders with two automatic inspection stations, to be installed at a plant where two new cold rolling mills for silicon steel will be in operation. The second contract includes two automatic CNC roll grinders and an automatic inspection station, equipped with an automatic roll loading system, which will be installed in the roll shop of a new cold rolling mill for silicon steel production.
  2. Nucor Steel has commissioned SMS group for the modernization and expansion of its Steckel mill at its site in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The existing Steckel mill will be converted into a tandem Steckel mill, designed to produce high-strength thin strip as well as to boost capacity. 
  3. A global car window manufacturer’s European branch has purchased two SECO/WARWICK technological lines for two of the company’s locations. The order includes RHLE units for bending car windows.
  4. Jiangsu Dongpu Fine Ceramics Technology Co., Ltd., has installed a hot isostatic press (HIP) from Quintus Technologies. The HIP model operates company’s production line for Si3Ni4 bearing balls in its manufacturing facility in Lianyungang, China.
Zhang Qing, chairman of OBEI, the Industrial Products Purchasing Company of Baowu, and Paolo Gaboardi, executive vice president of Pomini Tenova
Steckel mill commissioned by Nucor and delivered by SMS group
Quintus HIP line for Jiangsu Dongpu Fine Ceramics Technology Co., Ltd

Company & Personnel

  1. Inductotherm Group has appointed Mick Nallen and Satyen Prabhu as co‐leaders, a transition which became effective July 1, 2024, when Gary Doyon stepped down from his role as CEO. Mick and Satyen have a combined experience at the company of nearly 70 years.
  2. Vincent Lelong of ECM USA presented on low pressure carburizing with vacuum furnace technology at Purdue University’s School of Materials Engineering undergraduate seminar. This seminar regularly features industry speakers, some of whom are members of the Purdue Heat Treating Consortium.
  3. The direct reduction plant at Nucor Steel Louisiana achieved a world production record of 330.3 tons per hour of high-quality cold direct reduced iron (CDRI), yielding an outstanding 7,928 tons per day (tpd). A high-quality direct reduced iron (DRI) output with 95% metallization (%M) and a carbon content of 3.3% (%C) was measured. The ENERGIRON technology was jointly developed by Tenova and Danieli.
  4. Jabil Inc, which designs and manufactures supply chain solutions, announced its acquisition of Mikros Technologies LLC, which engineers and manufactures liquid cooling solutions for thermal management.
  5. Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry, Inc., (ATP) recently opened its Pacific Northwest office in Seattle, Washington. With this new facility, the company will now have a footprint in all four corners of the United States.
Satyen Prabhu
Co-Leader
Inductotherm Group
Mick Nallen
Co-Leader
Inductotherm Group
Vincent Lelong of ECM USA presents seminar for Purdue Heat Treating Consortium
Nucor achieves a World Production Record with ENERGIRON, developed by Tenova and Danieli
Mikros Technologies facility
Andrew Bassett, President; John Hollman, Regional Manager, and Edwin Rosales, Pacific Northwest Manager
Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry, Inc.

Kudos

  1. Solar Atmospheres‘ Greenville, SC, facility recently announced it has been awarded Parker Aerospace approval. Its five facilities are now able to assist clients with Parker Aerospace thermal processing requirements.
  2. Furnace manufacturer Grieve Corporation has reached its 75th year in business. Begun in 1949 as a small job shop in Chicago, the company now occupies a 100,000 square foot facility in Round Lake, Illinois
  3. StandardAero, an independent provider of engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Singapore facility, a Pratt & Whitney Canada Designated Overhaul Facility (DOF) for the PW150A turboprop engine. This anniversary coincides with the company’s redelivery of its 500th PW150A engine, which powers the popular Bombardier Dash 8-400 regional turboprop. 
  4. Paulo’s Cleveland Division was recently awarded approval from GE Aviation for hot isostatic pressing, specifically GT193 Process Code FF.
  5. C3 Data has achieved SOC 2 Compliance, which ensures stringent standards for handling sensitive data.
  6. Tennessee Society of Association Executives recently honored Tom Morrison of the Metal Treating Institute (MTI) with the Industry Marketing Award for its Jobs of Tomorrow Workforce Development Program.
  7. Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania announced that it has been awarded Pratt & Whitney‘s PWA 11, “Heat Treatments” approval. The facility is now certified to perform heat treatments for P&W’s Suffix 17, “Precipitation Harden,” and Suffix 22, “Austenitize, Quench, and Temper.”
Grieve Corporation Board of Directors
Left to right: Frank Calabrese, vice president; Tony Caringella, president; Doug Grieve, chairman of the board
Left to right: Jamie Flynn, Executive Director of Tennessee Society of Association Executives, and Tom Morrison, CEO of Metal Treating Institute (MTI)

Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

16 News Chatter To Keep You Current Read More »

Bennett Heat Treating & Brazing Co., Inc. Recognized with 2024 Master Craftsman Award

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today, in cooperation with the Metal Treating Institute (MTI), recently presented the 2024 Master Craftsman Award (also known as the Commercial Heat Treater of the Year Award) to John and Kerri Quaglia, third-generation owners of Bennett Heat Treating & Brazing Co., Inc.

The award was presented at the formal awards presentation dinner following the Furnaces North America trade show on October 16, 2024, in Columbus, OH. John Quaglia was present to receive the award on behalf of his company. In his speech, Doug Glenn commented, “This year’s recipient is another shining example of what the commercial heat treating industry has come to represent — highly competent, environmentally aware, and civic-minded leaders in their community and in the heat treating industry — a great example of what commercial heat treating is all about.”

This award is given to the company that demonstrates making a positive impact on their community and their industry. Recognition is based on quality programs, commitment to the environmental, and community leadership and judged by a panel of previous recipients

Bennett Heat Treating received a plaque commemorating this auspicious award and a scholarship fund of $1500 from Heat Treat Today that was matched with another $1500 from MTI’s Education Foundation. The heat treater will award this $3000 to a high school or college student who is pursuing an education in the heat treating industry.

Congratulations to Bennett Heat Treating on receiving this award.

Presenting the 2024 Master Craftsman Award is Doug Glenn, publisher of Heat Treat Today and treasurer on the Board of MTI’s Education Foundation.
(Source: MTI)
Scholarship award check presented to Bennett Heat Treating & Brazing Co., Inc. (Left to right) Doug Glenn, publisher of Heat Treat Today; John Quaglia, president and co-owner of Bennett Heat Treating; and Ryan Fussell, president of Southwest Metal Treating Corp and 2024 MTI President.
(Source: MTI)
John Quaglia, co-owner and president of Bennett Heat Treating, accepts the 2024 Master Craftsman Award from Doug Glenn.
(Source: MTI)
John Quaglia, co-owner and president of Bennett Heat Treating, speaking upon his company’s receiving the 2024 Master Craftsman Award.
(Source: MTI)

The press release is available in its original form here.

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

Bennett Heat Treating & Brazing Co., Inc. Recognized with 2024 Master Craftsman Award Read More »

Nearly 100 Industry Professionals Gather To Discuss Sustainable Technologies

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Nearly 100 attendees gather at the Conrad Hotel in Indianapolis for a three-day event to discuss industrial decarbonization and sustainable technologies. Targeting users and suppliers of industrial heating processes, the Industrial Decarbonization Summit is organized by the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA).

IHEA designed the SUMMIT to help everyone using heat technologies understand and overcome these important concerns and challenges.

Emceed by Jeff Rafter, vice president of sales and marketing, Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC, the event began yesterday (Tuesday, October 29th) with a keynote presentation by Dr. Avi Shultz, of the United States Department of Energy, Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office (US DOE IEDO), who spoke on “Understanding the US DOE Industrial Decarbonization Initiatives.” Other speakers and topics covered during the 2-day event include:

  • Mr. Tim Hill from Nucor and Mr. Jeff Kaman from John Deere talking about the implementation of their companies’ decarbonization plans.
  • Mr. Perry Stephens from EPRI, Mr. Brian Kelly from Honeywell, and Mr. Erik Anderson from Ambient Fuels discussing alternatives to fossil fuel combustion.
  • Mr. Sandeep Alavandi of GTI Energy addressing how companies can get to net zero by reducing, converting, and trading.
  • Mr. Bryan Stern from Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems addressing economic and business concerns related to industrial adoption of decarbonization technologies.
Dr. Avi Shultz
Director
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office (IEDO)
Jeff Rafter
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Selas Heat Technology Company, LLC
Tim Hill
General Manager Sustainability Solutions
Nucor
Jeff Kaman
Manager, Energy Supply and Sustainability
John Deere
Perry Stephens
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Brian Kelly
Honeywell Thermal Solutions
Erik Anderson
Vice President, Origination
Ambient Fuels
Sandeep Alavandi
Program Manager
GTI Energy
Bryan Stern
Product Development Manager
Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems

Summit attendees come from a wide cross section of industries including companies such as Daido Steel, Whirlpool, Detroit Stoker Co, Wenger Mfg, Trane, Nucor Steel, Timken, John Deere, Oak Ridge National Lab, Siemens Energy, Dowa THT America, and many more.

The content of the Summit is targeted at company thought leaders who are attempting to learn how to navigate the decarbonization roadway. Click on the video below to view some of Jeff Rafter’s opening remarks.

For more information on the Summit, please go to https://summit.ihea.org.

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

Nearly 100 Industry Professionals Gather To Discuss Sustainable Technologies Read More »

18 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 18 news items.

Equipment

  1. Saarstahl expands its production with an alternate current-electric arc furnace (AC-EAF) supplied by SMS group.
  2. A Class A safety oven equipped with a solvent monitor and roll-in rack, meeting the stringent safety requirements of industries working with volatile materials, was recently shipped by industrial and laboratory ovens manufacturer Blue M. 
  3. A manufacturer in the defense industry has received shipment of a gas-fired walk-in batch oven from Wisconsin Oven Corporation, to be used for curing filament wound composite materials.
The Saarstahl team announces AC-EAF agreement with SMS
Class A safety oven equipped to process volatile materials
Gas-fired walk-in batch oven delivered to defense industry

Company & Personnel

  1. Sean Patrick Murphy has been named product manager for laboratory and R&D furnaces at Centorr Vacuum Industries. He will be responsible for representing over 30 different vacuum furnace product lines to national laboratories, universities, and industrial sectors.
  2. Charles (Charlie) Caldwell joins the team at Solar Atmospheres of Michigan Inc. as the quality manager for its new facility in Chesterfield.
  3. Steel Goode Products LLC (SGP), a thermal spray specialist, has recently been acquired by Aalberts N.V., a provider of thermal spray coating and finishing services. The acquisition includes two operating facilities in Texas and one in Ohio.
  4. The Wirco, Inc, team recently announced Chris Robbins as the new director of business development and Chad Kumfer to the position of director of sales.
  5. Daniel Sonnenberg joins Nitrex Heat Treating Services as the new business development lead for North America. Daniel will focus on identifying and cultivating relationships with potential customers. His goal is to foster trust and drive growth by building enduring partnerships that deliver sustained value over time.
  6. Dave Deiwart has begun a new position as president at Tracer Gas Technologies, based in Yorktown, Indiana. This follows a brief retirement after 35 years of providing leak detection and vacuum application support and training. Dave’s new focus will be on providing training and consulting.
  7. Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser AS, a fully owned subsidiary of Nel ASA, has been awarded a grant from the EU Innovation Fund of up to EUR 135 million (over $145.4M USD) for industrialization of its next-generation pressurized alkaline technology. The technology is currently being prototyped, and the potential industrialization is planned at Herøya, Norway.
  8. OTTO JUNKER GmbH, system providers for metallurgic processes and metal refinement, recently announced that the new business division OTTO JUNKER Solutions, which was established in late 2023, will be further expanded. The company’s focus will be on the development and implementation of green technologies. The new division is headed by R&D expert Tobias Mertens.
Sean Patrick Murphy
Product Manager of Laboratory and R&D Furnaces
Centorr Vacuum Industries
Charles (Charlie) Caldwell
Quality Manager – Chesterfield
Solar Atmospheres of Michigan Inc.
Chris Robbins
Director of Business Development
Wirco, Inc.
Chad Kumfer
Director of Sales
Wirco, Inc.
Daniel Sonnenberg
Business Development Lead – America
Nitrex Heat Treating Services
Tobias Mertens
General Manager
OTTO JUNKER SOLUTIONS GmbH

Kudos

  1. Constellium SE has received the Supplier of the Year Award from Stellantis, recognized for its overall best-in-class performance as a long-time partner.
  2. Gary Sharp, founder of Advanced Heat Treat Corp, has been honored with the Legends of Manufacturing Award at the Iowa Manufacturing Conference.
  3. Global Thermal Systems (GTS) Mexico’s pyrometry laboratories recently completed the reaccreditation process in the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
  4. Rex Heat Treat has achieved its fourth consecutive merit-status Nadcap certification under the leadership of Conner Popo, quality assurance manager, and Vindon Griffin, technical services manager. 
  5. Aalberts surface technologies Dzierżoniów recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Through acquisition and expansion, the company has grown from 16 employees in 2014 to a current team of over 90 employees, serving the automotive, aerospace, power, fasteners, agriculture, and mining sectors.
  6. The Metal Treating Institute (MTI) recently celebrated its 2024 YES Management Training Program graduates at the final reception of Furnaces North America (FNA) 2024.
  7. Bennett Heat Treating & Brazing Co. received the 2024 Master Craftsman Award, also known as the Heat Treater of the Year Award, at the Metal Treating Institute’s Final Night Dinner & Awards Ceremony following FNA 2024. The award was announced by Doug Glenn, publisher of Heat Treat Today along with a scholarship check for the heat treater to bestow upon a deserving young student going into heat treat.
Ingrid Joerg, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Constellium, and Maxime Picat, Chief Global Purchasing & Supply Chain Officer, Greater Paris Metropolitan Region, at Stellantis
Gary Sharp, founder of Advanced Heat Treat Corp, honored with the Legends of Manufacturing Award
The Global Thermal Systems (GTS) Mexico’s pyrometry laboratories team completes ISO/IEC 17025 standard reaccreditation process

Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

18 News Chatter To Keep You Current Read More »

Day 2 at FNA: Awards Abound for Heat Treaters

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

The final day of Furnaces North America (FNA) began for Heat Treat Today with the presentation of a plaque to Timothy Joseph Wright (T.J. Wright), who served as a Major General in the U.S. Army, as well as a critical player in the history of heat treating, specifically as a past president of Wirco.

Two of his sons, Matthew Wright, vice president of marketing at pyrometry software company C3 Data, and Nathan Wright, CEO of C3 Data, joined T.J. at their booth for the presentation, as did his nephew, Chad Wright, current president of Wirco.

  • Read the article displayed on the plaque here.
  • Listen to an interview with T.J. on Heat Treat Radio’s podcast, found here.
  • And check out a video of the presentation here.

Heat Treat Today wishes to thank T. J., for his life of service to the country and to others and to the whole Wright family for their kindness and partnerships with us.

The day ended with the Metal Treating Institute’s (MTI) final event where MTI Yes Management Training graduates were recognized, awards were given to individuals and companies who have uniquely served the industry and MTI, and the 2025 MTI officers and board of trustees were announced.

Look for upcoming articles highlighting MTI news from the event!

Main image (left to right): Matthew Wright, T.J. Wright, Nathan Wright, Chad Wright

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

Day 2 at FNA: Awards Abound for Heat Treaters Read More »