A new service center in Concord, North Carolina, is now fully operational. Kanthal, an Alleima company, added U.S.-based production and service capabilities for silicon carbide (SiC) heating elements used in high-temperature applications across industries such as electronics, glass, and steel manufacturing.
President, Business Unit Heating Systems
Kanthal
“This is not just a new service center. We have implemented improvements in Concord that allow us to adapt product configurations based on customer furnace setups and order cycles. The result is a more responsive operation, faster to quote, faster to ship, and better aligned with U.S. [client] needs,” says Simon Lile, president of Business Unit Heating Systems at Kanthal.
Heat Treat Today publisher Doug Glenn attended the ribbon-cutting and open house event to better understand how electrification is shaping high-temperature thermal processing. During the event, attendees toured the Concord facility and discussed how electric heating technologies are being evaluated as alternatives to traditional fuel-based systems. Conversations reflected growing interest in approaches that support improved process control and reduced emissions in industrial applications. “This kind of investment signals a broader shift in how manufacturers are approaching high-temperature processing,” Glenn said. “It’s not just about replacing a heat source — it’s about rethinking how these systems operate in the long term.”
The site includes expanded capacity for Globar® silicon carbide heating elements, which enable electrification of heating processes up to 2950°F and offer an alternative to fossil fuel-based systems. These heating elements can support improved energy efficiency, cleaner operations, and enhanced process control while contributing to reduced CO2 emissions.
The Concord service center is part of an approximately $11 million investment that also includes updates to the company’s production site in Perth, Scotland. Together, these developments are expected to increase production capacity by about 40%, while improving lead times and service for clients in the U.S. market.
In 2022, operations from multiple locations were consolidated into the Concord facility, creating a centralized manufacturing and distribution center. The latest investment builds on that foundation to support current client demand.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Main image shows the ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with a photo inset of Heat Treat Today Publisher Doug Glenn with President of Business Unit Heating Systems for Kanthal Simon Lile and Production Unit Manager for Kanthal Bruce Dionne.
