Founded in 2020, Salto Heat Treating is proof that decades of experience can provide the foundation for a new venture. The company was established after nearly 30 years of hands-on work in the commercial heat treating industry, when founder Felix Lopes and General Manager Christophe Mehanna recognized an opportunity to build an independent operation centered on precision, reliability, and lasting client relationships. Located in Coniston, Ontario, near the mining hub of Sudbury, the business was built to support one of Canada’s most demanding industrial sectors while delivering the responsiveness of a locally owned company.
The company’s early growth was rooted in the mining industry. From its inception, Salto Heat Treating focused on serving manufacturers and suppliers supporting Northern Ontario’s mining industry, where components must withstand abrasive environments, heavy loads, and continuous operation. An integral quench (IQ) batch furnace line was the company’s first major equipment investment, establishing the foundation for consistent, repeatable processing. As demand grew, the operation expanded with a fully automated drill rod heat treatment line designed specifically for mining exploration applications, increasing production capacity while reinforcing its commitment to supporting regional industry.
Today, Salto Heat Treating employs a team of 12 and serves clients primarily in the mining and heavy equipment markets. Its capabilities have continued to grow while remaining focused on solving practical manufacturing challenges. Core services include induction and through hardening, carburizing, annealing, and normalizing. Together, these processes help improve wear resistance, strength, toughness, and dimensional stability for components operating in demanding industrial environments.
Supporting these services is an equipment base designed to process both routine production work and specialized components. The facility features an IQ batch furnace line, a fully automated drill rod heat treatment system, high- and low-frequency induction hardening equipment, atmosphere furnaces for thermal processing, and an induction scanner capable of processing parts up to 7 feet long and 9.5 inches in diameter. This combination allows the company to accommodate everything from production components to large mining equipment requiring specialized heat treatment.
One project that remains especially memorable involved induction hardening an 8¾-inch-diameter mining shaft measuring 6.5 feet in length. Achieving the required case depth presented a significant technical challenge, but completing the work meant the client was able to keep the project in Ontario rather than sending it to the United States. The project reflects the company’s approach to tackling complex applications while providing regional manufacturers with capabilities that might otherwise require sourcing outside Canada.
Beyond its technical capabilities, Salto Heat Treating places a strong emphasis on the qualities that leadership believes define long-term success: quality, service, reliability, and workplace culture. Teamwork, dedication, and commitment are consistently identified as the company’s greatest strengths, creating an environment where employees work together to deliver dependable results and build lasting client relationships. That focus on both people and performance has helped establish a reputation for quality within the industries it serves.
Looking ahead, Salto Heat Treating plans to continue expanding its capabilities with the addition of a carburizing pit furnace, opening new opportunities to serve both existing and future clients. As the business grows, it remains focused on combining experienced craftsmanship with strategic investment to support manufacturers throughout Northern Ontario and beyond.
For more information:
Salto Heat Treating
62 Smelter Road
Coniston, ON P0M1M0, Canada
(705) 562-6250
info@saltoheattreating.ca
https://saltoheattreating.ca
Main image: Robotic arm at Salto Heat Treating | Image Credit: Salto Heat Treating
