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MTI Member Profile: Applied Thermal Technologies Inc.

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Founded in 1992 by Micky Bradican, Robert Gunow Jr., and Charles Zichichi, Applied Thermal Technologies began with a clear goal: to succeed in the orthopedic capital of the world. Drawing on their shared experience at VacMet, the founders launched operations with a single VFS HL36EQ2, 2-bar vacuum furnace, which is still in operation today with more than 48,000 cycles. Expanding its facility five times, the company has built a steady trajectory of growth rooted in consistency and technical expertise.

Employing 52 people, the organization currently serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and medical manufacturing, with a focus on delivering high-quality results with responsiveness and a collaborative mindset.

At its core, Applied Thermal Technologies is a metal processing company specializing in the bright vacuum heat treating and brazing of stainless steel, titanium, copper, nickel, and a range of exotic alloys. Its operation is anchored by twelve vacuum furnaces, six of which feature large work zones measuring 36″ wide by 48″ deep by up to 36″ high. This capacity allows for both flexibility and redundancy, ensuring that throughput remains consistent even during maintenance cycles. Supporting this reliability is a dedicated, full-time maintenance team that maintains furnace leak rates at 10 microns per hour or better. This level of control not only protects equipment longevity but also ensures that processed materials remain bright, reducing the need for additional finishing and saving time for clients downstream.

In addition to vacuum heat treating, the company offers air heat treating capabilities for materials up to 12 feet in length. Its brazing department further expands its capabilities, handling everything from small, intricate batches to high-volume production runs. With more than 60 years of combined brazing experience, the team often works directly with clients during the blueprint stage to improve joint design and maximize success rates.

Bright vacuum heat treating is the most critical process in the company’s portfolio, as it enables superior surface finishes that support subsequent manufacturing steps. However, its capabilities extend into hot forming of titanium parts, nitriding of titanium, titanium water quenching, and aging of long bar stock up to 12 feet in length.

Equipment across the facility includes vacuum furnaces with both metal and graphite hot zones, quenching capabilities up to 6 bar, multiple air units, a freezer, and a large air aging furnace capable of reaching 1450°F with a 10,000-pound capacity.

Stevan Bradican and Jay Slone in front of booth at OMTEC Trade Show | Image Credit: Applied Thermal Technologies Inc.

Precision and process control are defining characteristics of Applied Thermal Technologies. The company maintains tight control over temperature, vacuum levels, and inert gas environments, and has fully transitioned from type K to more accurate type N thermocouples.

Much of the company’s work centers on medical applications, including implants and surgical instruments, where precision is critical. In recent years, it has also expanded into heat treating 3D-printed components, such as spinal, shoulder, and ankle implants.

Looking ahead, Applied Thermal Technologies is focused on steady, sustainable growth over the next five to ten years. Central to that vision is its culture of accountability, which is reflected in strong client retention, consistent growth, and low employee turnover, positioning the company for continued success in a demanding and evolving industry.

For more information:

Applied Thermal Technologies Inc.

2169 N 100 E
Warsaw, IN 46582

sales@appliedthermaltechnologies.com
https://appliedthermaltechnologies.com

Main image: 12-foot air aging furnace capable of reaching 1450°F with a 10,000-pound capacity | Image Credit: Applied Thermal Technologies Inc.

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MTI Member Profile: Heat Treating Services Corporation of America

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For nearly five decades, Heat Treating Services Corporation of America (HTS) has built its reputation on reliability, production capacity, and long-standing client relationships in the thermal processing industry. Since its founding in 1978, the family-owned company has steadily expanded its footprint and capabilities, growing from a single furnace installation into a multi-facility operation serving a wide range of industries.

This heat treater’s story began with a straightforward objective: provide dependable heat treatment. The company installed its first furnace to heat treat steering knuckles for Ford, marking the beginning of a business model centered on responding directly to client requirements.

The company grew by adding equipment and processes to support real production demand, leading to significant expansion. In 1990, HTS purchased its second facility, followed by the acquisition of a third plant in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1996. These additions laid the groundwork for the company’s current scale, operating three primary heat treating facilities totaling more than 161,000 square feet and capable of producing approximately 84 million pounds of heat treated and cleaned parts per month.

Further growth came in the early 2000s as the company expanded its operational footprint and service capabilities. An additional property adjacent to its first plant was acquired in 2002 to support value-added services and logistics, enabling more efficient drop-shipping directly to clients’ end users. In 2005, they expanded again with the acquisition of Trojan Heat Treat in Homer, Michigan, adding a 50,000-square-foot facility focused on non-quench heat treating processes.

Today, the company employs approximately 250 people and supports clients across automotive, aerospace, military, mining, agriculture, and construction sectors, delivering consistent results on high-volume workloads while maintaining the flexibility required for complex components and varied metallurgical requirements.

At the heart of their operations is a broad suite of heat treating services designed to enhance the performance of metal components through carefully controlled thermal cycles. These processes include annealing, quenching, tempering, normalizing, and stress relieving, each applied to improve critical material properties such as hardness, strength, toughness, and ductility. By controlling both heating and cooling conditions, the company ensures that parts meet precise mechanical and structural specifications required for demanding industrial applications.

Much of the production work centers on toll processing of rough forgings and castings. Key processes include quench and temper operations, normalizing, and isothermal annealing. Additional treatments, such as spheroidize annealing, inter-critical annealing, sub-critical annealing, stress relieving, and carbide removal, allow the company to tailor metallurgical properties to a wide range of component requirements.

The company’s equipment infrastructure supports both batch and continuous production environments, handling parts ranging from ounces to more than 750 pounds. High-capacity systems, including a large roller hearth furnace capable of processing up to 10,000 pounds per hour, allow HTS to deliver high throughput without sacrificing process control or consistency.

HTS maintains backup furnaces for critical production lines, ensuring that client work continues uninterrupted even if equipment requires maintenance. This level of preparedness reflects a broader commitment to reliability, one of the qualities the company hopes clients associate with its name. This commitment is reflected in the longevity of their client relationships. A large portion of HTS work comes from clients who have partnered with the company for more than three decades, an indication of the trust built through consistent service and dependable turnaround times.

Over the decades of work, one project stands out as particularly memorable. During Operation Desert Storm, the company heat treated track shoes, center guides, and end connectors for the Abrams M1 tank. The work earned HTS a letter of recognition from General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., a moment the company recalls as both an honor and a testament to the importance of dependable manufacturing support during critical operations.

Looking ahead, HTS is focused on continuing to modernize its operations. Automation initiatives, paperless processing systems, and the integration of artificial intelligence tools are all part of the company’s strategy to improve productivity and strengthen profit margins in the coming decade.

Through these investments, this heat treater aims to maintain the qualities that have defined its history: fast service, reliable delivery, and the consistent quality that has kept clients returning for generations.

For more information:

Heat Treating Services Corporation of America

217 Central Ave.
Pontiac, Michigan 48341

awhaley@htsmi.com
https://www.htsmi.com/

Main image: Roller hearth furnace 10,000lb/hr process capability; normalizing, isothermal annealing, or oil quench and temper capabilities | Image Credit: HTS

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MTI Member Profile: Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry

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In aerospace heat treatment, accuracy is not an aspiration — it is a requirement that must be demonstrated, documented, and defended during every audit. The systems behind that accuracy often operate quietly in the background, yet they determine whether a process, and ultimately a part, is accepted or rejected. That reality led Andrew Bassett to establish Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry, Inc. (ATP) in 2007, with a singular focus on helping manufacturers meet the increasingly exacting demands of aerospace pyrometry and compliance.

From its headquarters in Easton, Pennsylvania, the company was built around deep technical specialization rather than broad generalization. Early work centered on aerospace heat treaters navigating AMS2750 requirements, Nadcap audits, and client-specific specifications that left little margin for interpretation. Over time, that expertise expanded to support a wider range of thermal processing environments, but the core mission remained unchanged: ensure temperature measurement systems are accurate, defensible, and audit ready.

Today, ATP supports heat treaters across aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial manufacturing, providing services that extend far beyond routine calibration. Its pyrometry and calibration offerings include system accuracy tests (SATs), temperature uniformity surveys (TUS), and calibration of temperature, humidity, pressure, and vacuum measurement systems, performed both on-site and in laboratory environments. The company operates under an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited quality management system, reinforcing their commitment to continuous improvement, accuracy, and repeatability.

The differentiating factor for ATP is its ability to provide more than calibration services, namely audit-ready compliance support built specifically for aerospace and thermal processing requirements. The company offers a fully integrated service model that simplifies compliance management, combining on-site pyrometry and calibration, consulting, training, and compliance software. This key factor promotes long-term compliance stability and accountability.

Watch, listen, and learn about AMS2750 compliance and Aerospace Compliance Software with Andrew Bassett, on Heat Treat Radio. Go to www.heattreattoday.com/radio.

A notable development in the company’s offerings is its Aerospace Compliance Software (ACS), developed in-house by pyrometry specialists. Unlike generic quality or calibration platforms, ACS was designed specifically around AMS2750 workflows and Nadcap audit logic. The software aligns with how auditors review data and how thermal processing facilities manage instruments, surveys, and records. Features, such as leak rate testing for vacuum furnaces, preventive maintenance tracking, sensor management, and role-based access, reflect the practical challenges faced by compliance teams. For many users, ACS reduces reliance on spreadsheets and manual workarounds, improving traceability and audit readiness.

Nationwide coverage supports this integrated model. With regional offices and laboratories across the United States, ATP combines responsive local service with centralized technical oversight. This structure minimizes downtime while maintaining consistent methodology and documentation — an important balance for manufacturers operating under tight production schedules and audit cycles.

Across a range of industries, the company’s approach goes beyond addressing immediate issues, focusing on establishing long-term confidence. Clients rely on ATP not only to verify accuracy, but to help them move from reactive audit preparation toward proactive process control. That shift reduces risk, improves consistency, and allows quality teams to focus on continuous improvement rather than last-minute corrections.

Looking ahead, ATP plans to continue expanding its compliance solutions, with ongoing development of ACS and deeper integration of calibration, testing, and documentation workflows. As aerospace and manufacturing specifications grow more complex, the company’s future focus remains grounded in the same principle that shaped its founding: when compliance matters, technical clarity and defensible data are essential.

For more information:

Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry

2020 Dayton Dr.
Easton, PA 18040

sales@atp-cal.com
https://www.atp-cal.com/

Main image: Andrew Bassett (right), president of ATP, conducting an AMS2750H training program | Image Credit: ATP

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Furnaces North America Heats Up in 2026

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Furnaces North America 2026 (FNA 2026) stands as the premier heat treating event in North America, held every other year by the Metal Treating Institute in collaboration with Heat Treat Today as its exclusive media partner. But FNA 2026 is more than a marquee gathering; it arrives at a pivotal moment. 2026 is the inflection year, the point where the forces reshaping manufacturing accelerate and begin defining the competitive realities of the 2030s.

FNA 2026 attracts the largest concentration of decision-makers, buyers, and senior executives in the global heat treating industry for an intensive three-day experience designed to prepare leaders for what comes next. With attendees expected from more than 40 states and 20 countries, including Fortune 500 companies, FNA 2026 is where the industry aligns, adapts, and positions itself for the decade ahead.

As economic volatility, demographic shifts, artificial intelligence, automation, labor shortages, sustainability pressures, and evolving customer expectations converge, the decisions made in the next few years will determine who thrives in the 2030s — and who falls behind. That is why FNA 2026 is indispensable for both commercial and captive heat treaters. It is not simply an event; it is a strategic solution hub for navigating the most profound operational and technological changes the industry has faced in decades.

FNA 2026 is built around three powerful pillars:

  • Learning
  • Business
  • Networking

Learning that LASTS

The technical conference delivers 35 high-impact sessions across more than 10 focused tracks, curated by industry experts. Topics include productivity, data and digitalization, processes, equipment, standards, pyrometry, controls, materials, maintenance, emerging technologies, and business strategy, equipping attendees with practical knowledge they will need not just today, but throughout the transition to the 2030s.

Business that CONNECTS

The trade show, which features over 160 leading suppliers, is the heartbeat of FNA. It provides unmatched, face-to-face access to the technologies, partners, and solutions shaping the future of heat treating. For leadership teams, FNA 2026 offers a clear window into where the industry is headed and how to invest wisely ahead of the coming decade.

Networking is KING

FNA’s social events are intentionally designed to foster meaningful, high-value connections. These interactions go beyond casual networking, creating space for candid conversations, shared lessons, and relationships that will matter as companies navigate the challenges and opportunities leading into the 2030s.

FNA 2026 is not just another conference; it is a cornerstone moment for making your company future ready. Taking place October 12–14 in Indianapolis, FNA 2026 offers a rare opportunity to step back, look ahead, and position your organization for success at a time when the industry’s trajectory is being set.

With 2026 being the inflection point for the 2030s, FNA 2026 is where anyone in the heat treating industry must be. Learn more and register at www.FurnacesNorthAmerica.com and take an active role in preparing your company for the future.

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MTI Member Profile: Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Company

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For seven decades, a family-owned heat treater in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has stood as a model of innovative craftsmanship and quality stewardship. Established in 1955 by Danish immigrant Jens Hansen, the company began as the J. Hansen Steel Treating Company, serving the tool and die shops that powered West Michigan’s post-war manufacturing boom. From its modest start with two muffle furnaces, two tempering furnaces, and a flame hardening unit, the company’s foundation was built on technical know-how and hands-on commitment to every job.

Image Credit: Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Company

A young college student named James (Jim) Balk joined the company part-time that same year — an opportunity that grew into a lifetime career. By 1973, Jim and his wife, Shirley, purchased the business and renamed it Hansen/Balk Steel Treating. Two years later, they invested in their first vacuum furnace and vacuum tempering system, helping the company stay ahead of a rapidly modernizing tool and die market. Continued growth led to a move to its current facility in 1980, where the business still operates today under the leadership of the second and third generations of the Balk family.

Through these transitions, the company’s values have remained unchanged: a commitment to high-quality heat treating, responsiveness to client needs, and a deep dedication to employees and community. Today, the heat treater is a trusted partner to industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical, defense, mining, and heavy equipment manufacturing.

As a Nadcap- and MedAccred-certified and AS9100-registered commercial heat treater, Hansen/Balk Steel Treating offers a wide range of services that make it a true one-stop shop for metal processing. Capabilities include vacuum hardening and tempering with high-pressure quenching up to 15 bar, as well as gas and ion nitriding, carburizing, martempering, and normalizing. Additional specialties, such as cryogenic treatment, flame hardening, and induction processing, enable the company to meet diverse and complex client requirements across North America.

Both vacuum and atmosphere processing are central to its operations, providing the flexibility to handle jobs of nearly any size and specification. The company’s fleet of trucks serves clients in the Midwest, ensuring fast turnaround and dependable delivery, an essential advantage in time-sensitive industries.

What makes the company truly stand out, however, is the expertise behind the furnaces. With 14 retirees each bringing more than 40 years of service and several multi-generational employees, the operation exemplifies the stability and prowess that define the best of American manufacturing. That dedication extends beyond the shop floor, supporting numerous charitable initiatives throughout West Michigan and maintaining a strong connection to the local community.

Over the years, the company has been recognized with industry honors, including the Metal Treating Institute’s (MTI) Master Craftsman, aka Commercial Heat Treater of the Year, award in 2000, and has been a proud member of MTI since 1979 with two YES graduates.

Among the many projects that mark its history, one stands out from recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the team worked with a local mold builder to rapidly heat treat components for ventilator production. It was a defining moment that reflected both technical capability and a spirit of service.

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue reinvesting in the latest heat treating equipment and technology while refining its quality systems. With 70 years of experience, it remains focused on what has always defined its success: precision, responsiveness, and a culture of care that turns clients into long-term partners.

For more information:

Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Company

1230 Monroe Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505

info@hansenbalk.com
www.hansenbalk.com

Main image: 12-bar vacuum furnace | Image Credit: Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Company

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Equipping Heat Treaters for Success with MTI’s Online Academy

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Like many industries, the heat treating industry is facing a significant labor shortage today — marked by tight hiring pools, high turnover, and growing demand for skilled workers. Unfortunately, the labor shortage isn’t ending any time soon.

In this climate, training solutions that are efficient, scalable, and accessible become crucial. The MTI Online Academy for Heat Treaters (run by the Metal Treating Institute, the largest network of commercial heat treaters worldwide) offers a robust solution tailored to these needs.

Top Benefits for Navigating Labor Challenges

Accelerated Onboarding & Skill Development

MTI’s new employee onboarding training course | Image Credit: MTI

MTI’s Academy offers eight certificate programs, from New Employee Onboarding to Qualified Furnace Operator, Technical Specialist, Quality Specialist, and Management Specialist, plus a safety and supervisory skills track. Companies can standardize onboarding processes and ramp up worker proficiency faster, reducing productivity lags typical in understaffed environments.

Enhanced Productivity, Revenue & Retention

Companies that invest in training see:

  • 24% better profit margins
  • 17% improved productivity
  • 40% higher retention rates

Notably, 40% of new hires leave within the first year due to poor onboarding; robust training helps reverse that.

Compliance-Ready and Industry-Standard Training

Academy modules align with requirements for ARP 1962, Nadcap, CQI-9, and other certification benchmarks. This ensures personnel are trained to meet audit-ready standards, reducing compliance risk, which is particularly important when staffing is lean.

Flexible, Accessible, and Cost-Effective

MTI’s Heat Treat Management Specialist example of course offerings | Image Credit: MTI

Courses are available 24/7 worldwide, mobile-friendly, user-centric, and affordable for any budget. Employers gain flexibility to train employees across shifts and geographies without costly facility-based scheduling.

Modular, Structured Learning Paths

The Academy outlines credit hours for each certification (e.g., Furnace Operator: ~16 credit hours; Technical Specialist: ~25; Quality Specialist: ~63; Management Specialist: ~78). This transparent, tiered structure enables targeted training based on role demands and skill gaps, helping to optimize training time and resource allocation.

Support for Leadership Development

Beyond technical skills, the Academy offers leadership and supervisory programs, covering communication, team development, decision-making, DEI awareness, and more. Developing internal leaders helps build resilience, improves morale, and supports retention, especially when talent supply is thin.

Part of a Trusted Industry Network

MTI is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit established in 1933, offering the largest commercial heat treating network, breadth of resources, and credibility. Training through MTI not only builds skills but also connects learners to a broader professional community.

In a time when finding and retaining skilled heat treaters is tougher than ever, the MTI Online Academy for Heat Treaters provides a compelling solution: accessible, aligned with industry standards, modular, and designed to boost productivity, retention, compliance, and workforce development. By integrating MTI’s Academy into their workforce strategy, companies can effectively counter labor challenges while laying the foundation for sustained growth and operational excellence.

For more details, visit www.MTIAcademy.com or email training@heattreat.net.

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MTI Member Profile: Metal Treaters, Inc.

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In the heart of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, a third-generation heat treating company continues to shape the backbone of manufacturing with precision and consistency. Established in 1948, Metal Treaters, Inc. began with a single Ipsen vacuum furnace used to treat door hinges for ovens and furnaces. From those early days, it has grown into a trusted partner for industries requiring meticulous control over metallurgical properties throughout the heat treating process.

The company expanded significantly in the 1970s when the second generation broadened its capabilities to include carburizing, induction hardening, and neutral hardening. That phase of growth laid the groundwork for today’s broader service offerings. Now under the guidance of its third generation, the focus is on integrating advanced technologies, enhancing efficiencies, and staying ahead of evolving compliance standards.

Metal Treaters, Inc. production, induction, shipping, and receiving side of facility | Image Credit: Metal Treaters, Inc.

Metal Treaters’ clients span the aerospace, defense, agricultural, construction, and medical sectors. A hallmark of the operation remains its vacuum heat treating expertise — a specialty dating back to its origin. Tool steels like A-2, D-2, and S-7, along with various stainless steels, are treated daily. Additional services include gas carburizing, carbonitriding, induction hardening and tempering, and cryogenic treatment.

What distinguishes this heat treater is its comprehensive internal control. Pyrometry is performed to AMS2750 standards, ensuring furnace accuracy and consistency. Metal Treaters also fabricates custom fixtures, racks, and induction coils, which allows them to tailor solutions, reduce job costs, and maintain quick turnaround times. These capabilities are especially valuable for manufacturers without in-house heat treating resources or those working with highly specialized components.

The facility operates eight furnaces, including four vacuum furnaces and four carburizing furnaces. They also utilize twenty-five tempering ovens, nine induction stations, seventeen hardness testers, and two deep freezers. All work is processed through batch ovens, which are optimized for flexibility and precision rather than oversized loads. With jobs that run in parallel and an established logistics network, including four daily route trucks serving the Twin Cities, the operation is built for both responsiveness and repeatability.

Growth has never depended on traditional advertising. Instead, the business has earned new work through word-of-mouth referrals and discussions at trade shows. This approach has attracted a wide range of challenging and high-profile jobs, from components used in space exploration and defense to tooling for medical and construction applications. Each project is approached with the same attention to detail, regardless of size or industry.

Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its use of automation in induction heat treating while continuing to meet the most rigorous technical standards. Plans also include maintaining a workplace culture that emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and long-term client relationships.

Through decades of change, Metal Treaters has remained grounded in technical excellence and responsive service. While tools, materials, and specifications have evolved, the guiding principles behind each treated part have stayed the same: precision, reliability, and craftsmanship.

For more information:

Metal Treaters, Inc.

859 Prior Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55104

joannea@metaltreaters.com
metaltreaters.com

Main image: Metal Treaters, Inc. vacuum and office side of facility | Image Credit: Metal Treaters, Inc.

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MTI Member Profile: Akron Steel Treating Company

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In the heart of Akron, Ohio, stands Akron Steel Treating Company — an enduring example of American grit, craftsmanship, and family-driven values built upon a legacy that began in a family garage in the quiet hum of wartime urgency. Founded in 1943 by Prosper P. Powell with the help of the U.S. Army, the original facility was no more than a makeshift operation for heat treating firing pins. But even then, the commitment to quality was uncompromising. Work overflowed into the family’s kitchen oven, and every part was handled with care and purpose.

Prosper P. Powell at the original Akron Steel Treating building | Image Credit: Akron Steel Treating Company

Today, more than 80 years later, that same spirit drives the company. Still family-owned and operated, Akron Steel Treating (AST) has grown into a 65,000 square-foot facility that blends old-school workmanship with modern technology. Their secret isn’t just in the furnaces; it’s in their values. Honesty, integrity, and respect guide every project, every client relationship, and every part that passes through their hands.

When manufacturers think of AST, they should think of reliability without compromise. With industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical, electronics, construction, and defense, the heat treater supports some of the most demanding applications where failure is not an option. Their metallurgical consultants and heat treating experts work hand-in-hand with clients to identify the most cost-effective and performance-driven solutions, ensuring that heat treating enhances, rather than limits, the manufacturing process.

What makes them truly stand apart is its commitment to tailored solutions. Rather than push a one-size-fits-all service, AST embraces the consultative process. With a suite of heat treating options, including neutral hardening, carburizing, carbonitriding, and vacuum heat treating, they select the process that best suits each client’s needs. Their extensive quenching capabilities range from oil and air to martempering, austempering, and even intensive water quenching, offering unparalleled flexibility and precision.

Quality is not just a goal here — it is a guarantee, backed by detailed documentation and inspection protocols. Clients benefit from heat treat certifications, furnace charts, hardness testing, and stress measurements. Every part is tracked through the company’s proprietary JobShoppe™ system and Spec-View® monitoring platform. This computer network monitoring system ensures high-quality, repeatable heat treating that clients can rely on time and again.

One of AST’s proudest achievements? Supporting national defense by heat treating missile guidance fins and aircraft braking components. The company even holds a federal manufacturing firearms license, a testament to their reputation and rigorous process controls.

Looking ahead, AST is focused on staying true to its roots while embracing innovation. The next 80 years will see continued investment in new technologies to improve efficiency and broaden capabilities, all while maintaining the personalized service and family culture that define their brand.

In a world of fleeting trends and fast fixes, this heat treater is proof that craftsmanship, consistency, and character still matter. Their team, many of whom have been with the company for decades, is not just a workforce; they are the AST family, and they carry forward a proud tradition, one heat treated part at a time.

For more information:

Akron Steel Treating Company

336 Morgan Avenue
Akron, Ohio 44311

jpowell@akronsteeltreating.com
akronsteeltreating.com

Main image: Akron Steel Treating building in Akron, Ohio

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MTI Member Profile: Cook Induction Heating Co.

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For 80 years, Cook Induction Heating Co. has been a trusted partner for the aerospace, automotive, defense, mining, and oil tool industries. The company was founded in 1945 to support the induction hardening of citrus cutters in Orange County, California and has evolved over time into the go-to experts for induction heating. With induction heating as their core focus, Cook Induction Heating Co. is well known for providing high-quality engineering solutions tailored for their clients.

Third-generation president Troy Doolittle proudly holding photos of past presidents Keith Doolittle (father) and Forrest Doolittle (grandfather). | Image Credit: Cook Induction Heating Co.

As a family business with decades of legacy, they take pride in their deep industry roots and multigenerational relationships with clients and partners. They are “small enough to care and big enough to deliver” on innovation, problem solving, localized treatment, precision, efficiency — and a phone that’s always answered by a person.

The company services are focused on high-precision components for aerospace, oil and gas, tooling, and defense applications, including surface hardening, tempering, and annealing, all via advanced induction methods. From supporting ventilator development projects during COVID to treating critical components for military helicopters and missile defense, Cook Induction Heating Co. takes pride in their ability to perform under pressure.

Speaking of pressure, how about treating a part for a race? The company once processed a specialized shaft for the Red Bull Racing trophy truck after it had broken during a race in Baja, Mexico. A member of the team hand-carried the broken shaft through international flights to Cook Induction Heating Co. who then worked directly with Italian engineers to process the part immediately upon arrival and returned the part via helicopter to be reinstalled in the field — all within hours. This type of high-pressure, high-impact success story is an example of their dedication and drive.

Speaking of pressure, how about treating a part for a race? The company once processed a specialized shaft for the Red Bull Racing trophy truck after it had broken during a race in Baja, Mexico. A member of the team hand-carried the broken shaft through international flights to Cook Induction Heating Co. who then worked directly with Italian engineers to process the part immediately upon arrival and returned the part via helicopter to be reinstalled in the field — all within hours. This type of high-pressure, high-impact success story is an example of their dedication and drive.

For more information:

Cook Induction Heating Co.

4925 E. Slauson Ave.
Maywood, CA 90270

info@cookinduction.com
cookinduction.com

Main image: Veteran operator Juan Garcia, with 26 years at Cook Induction, monitors the induction hardening process of a drive shaft.

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MTI Member Profile: DOWA THT America, Inc.

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DOWA THT America, Inc. (DOWA THT) was established in 1997 and began operations in 1998 in Bowling Green, Ohio, as a subsidiary of Japan’s DOWA Thermotech Co., Ltd. The company was founded with the goal of meeting the North American demand for advanced heat treatment, initially targeting the automotive industry and expanding over time to serve the construction, agriculture, and green energy sectors.

DOWA THT Batch Furnace Line | Image Credit: DOWA THT

DOWA THT operates two independent divisions. One division is the Commercial Heat Treatment Division, which is operated locally and has been expanded four times since the original building was constructed. This facility is equipped with 24 batch furnaces, four tempering furnaces, six vacuum wash machines, and two continuous furnaces, most of which are DOWA THT brand equipment.

The second division is the Furnace Equipment Division, which is responsible for the design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of all equipment sold domestically. The overwhelming majority of equipment sold at the Commercial Heat Treatment facility and the parts processed there are for the automotive industry, but the facility also caters to other fields, such as construction, agriculture, environmentally friendly energy production, and advanced industries. The Furnace Equipment Division provides a full range of services, including sales, installation, commissioning, preventive maintenance, and emergency maintenance, from Canada all the way to Brazil.

DOWA THT Continuous Furnace Line | Image Credit: DOWA THT

The Commercial Heat Treatment Division processes parts onsite at the Bowling Green facility to enhance material properties for durability and performance. Examples of the parts processed are gears, shafts, transmission parts as well as agricultural machinery parts. The company’s services in this field focus on carburizing, carbonitriding, nitriding, ferritic nitrocarburizing, quench and temper, and hardening. They are also considering adding annealing as part of its capabilities.

The Bowling Green facility uses a patented QSQ quenching process developed to reduce distortion. With this patented process, DOWA THT has significantly reduced post-process work steps for its customers for many years.

A key feature of the Bowling Green facility is that the Commercial Heat Treatment Division and the Furnace Equipment Division operate within the same facility. This structure allows potential customers to visit the operational furnaces prior to purchase and observe the visual flow of the heat treatment process.

The biggest advantage of the Furnace Equipment Division is its turnkey operation. From design to manufacturing, DOWA THT manufactures all equipment and can handle all processes, including transportation, customs, and installation.

DOWA THT is a company that demonstrates leadership across a wide range of industries and is trying to continue to develop new technologies every year. They are capable of designing equipment tailored to customers’ specific specifications, including safety features to protect their employees.

In addition to its U.S. base, DOWA THT has a heat treatment facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The Mexican facility began operations in 2015 and continues to expand. If a customer chooses to manufacture in the U.S. or in Mexico, their North American bases work together to meet all customer needs in both countries.

Whether it’s providing turnkey services in Ohio or designing and installing a custom furnace in North and South America, DOWA THT utilizes their technical expertise housed in their dedicated staff to fuel their dual division model. They are zeroing in on innovating heat treatment solutions and technologies for the future, while investing in sustainable practices to lessen their environmental footprint. With a focus on targeting new growth areas, such as renewable energy, automation, and advanced manufacturing, they are executing on a multi-year plan to integrate real-time monitoring and AI-generated predictive maintenance to enhance overall client experience.

For more information:

DOWA THT America, Inc.

210 S Woodland Cir
Bowling Green, OH 43402

sales@down-tht.com
www.Dowa-THT.com

Main image: DOWA THT employees

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