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.
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
