21 News Chatter to Keep You Current

February 20, 2026 / HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 21 news items, including Gasbarre‘s portfolio expansion of modular quenching technology, Bodycote‘s acquisition of Spectrum Thermal Processing, Stack Metallurgical Group‘s Supplier of the Year honor from BENCHMADE Knives, and more!

Equipment

1. Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems announced an exclusive licensing agreement with SOLO Swiss SA to bring Profitherm® modular bell furnace quenching systems to the North American market, giving Gasbarre rights to manufacture, promote, and sell the technology locally. This expansion enhances Gasbarre’s equipment portfolio and offers heat treat operations — from commercial shops to captive facilities serving aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors — a flexible alternative to traditional quench furnaces that can reduce infrastructure needs and improve processing efficiency.

2. IperionX has received a prototype order from American Rheinmetall to manufacture about 700 lightweight titanium components for U.S. Army heavy ground combat systems, using its patented recycled titanium technologies. This order supports U.S. defense efforts to reshore critical materials supply chains and could improve vehicle performance with significantly lighter parts, signaling growing demand for domestic, advanced titanium production in military manufacturing.

3. Jupiter Aluminum Industries (JUPALCO) has ordered two additional patented Vortex 2.0 aluminum coil annealing furnaces from SECO/WARWICK. The installation will expand JUPALCO’s heat treatment capacity while improving process efficiency and temperature uniformity. The project reflects continued investment in modern annealing technology to support growing aluminum processing needs.

4. Century Aluminum Company has emphasized that Emirates Global Aluminum‘s next-generation EX smelting technology will be critical to the development of its new primary aluminum smelter, one of the most advanced technologies deployed in the U.S. This platform is designed to improve productivity, reduce energy consumption per ton, and lower emissions, reinforcing both economic competitiveness and environmental performance in primary aluminum manufacturing.

5. Global pipe manufacturer Tenaris has reactivated quenching and tempering operations at its Koppel, Pennsylvania facility, restoring a critical stage of in-house heat treating capacity that supports domestic oil country tubular goods (OCTG) production for the U.S. energy sector. The restart reinforces supply chain reliability for clients requiring high-performance steel pipe.

6. A Midwest automotive manufacturer is boosting its stainless steel brazing capacity by installing a new four-zone, 24-inch controlled-atmosphere brazing furnace from Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems. The furnace will support higher production of critical automotive components.

7. A Chinese thermal management manufacturer has significantly increased its production capacity by installing a new continuous controlled-atmosphere brazing (CAB) line supplied by SECO/WARWICK to support higher output of advanced cooling components for data centers, EVs, aviation, photovoltaics, and rail transport.

From left to right: Dan Hill, product development manager of Gasbarre, Ben Gasbarre, EVP sales & marketing of Gasbarre, David Salerno, CEO of SOLO, and David Howard, sales director of SOLO

Company & Personnel

8. Spectrum Thermal Processing, a Cranston, Rhode Island heat treat provider, was acquired by global specialist processor Bodycote plc and integrated into its Aerospace, Defence & Energy division in a deal that closed January 14, 2026. This move brings Spectrum’s Nadcap-accredited vacuum heat treatment, low-pressure carburizing, and gas nitriding capabilities into Bodycote’s U.S. network, expanding regional capacity and improving lead times and supply-chain resilience for aerospace and defense component manufacturers.

9. A Tier 1 automotive supplier ensured uninterrupted production during a planned maintenance shutdown by tapping outsourced burst heat treating capacity from Bluewater Thermal Solutions’ St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania facility, rapidly scaling to meet strict OEM requirements. This collaboration kept deliveries on schedule and highlights the growing importance of flexible heat treating resources in supporting automotive supply-chain resilience.

10. Atlantic Fire Brick & Supply, a company that provides refractory products and installation services for furnaces, kilns, and other high-termperature equipment, has been acquired by Plibrico Company LLC in a move that expands refractory distribution and service capabilities for industrial thermal processing operations across the southeastern United States.

11. The AICHELIN Group has appointed Robert Sokoliński as CEO and general manager of Nitrex Metal Sp. z o. o. in Poland, effective January 1, 2026, tasking him with leading the subsidiary strategic and operational development within the group. The leadership move reinforces AICHELIN’s commitment to expanding advanced thermochemical heat treating capabilities in Europe, supporting automotive and industrial manufacturers with reliable, high-performance surface treatment solutions.

12. Bodycote’s Derby and Rotherham heat treat facilities now operate with zero direct carbon emissions, having transitioned to fully electric operations powered by 100% renewable energy — a milestone in decarbonization trends in thermal processing. This achievement signals growing momentum towards sustainable practices in the aerospace and automotive supply chains, helping clients meet ambitious carbon-reduction targets while maintaining process performance.

13. NUTEC Group Chairman Genaro Cueva and CEO Daniel Llaguno have appointed long-time executive Rodrigo González as president of NUTEC Bickley, following his 24-year tenure in senior engineering and operations roles. Llaguno praised González’s capabilities and alignment with NUTEC’s values, expressing confidence that he will successfully lead the company into the future while strengthening its position in the industrial heating sector across North America.

14. Thermcraft Inc. announced that Thermo Kinetics has joined as its authorized distributor for Canada, expanding Thermcraft’s reach for its thermal processing and industrial heating equipment across the Canadian market. This partnership brings together Thermcraft’s furnace and thermal solutions expertise with Thermo Kinetics’ local sales and technical support capabilities, strengthening service and market impact in the region’s industrial heating sector.

15. TFL Incorporated, a Houston-based provider of refractory materials and precast shapes, has been acquired by Plibrico Company LLC in a move that strengthens resources and technical support for high-temperature industries. The acquisition enhances service capacity and product availability for clients operating in demanding thermal-processing environments, including sectors that rely on consistent refractory performance to maintain uptime and efficiency.

16. Tosyalı Algérie, working with technology partner Midrex, set a new world production record for direct reduced iron (DRI), marking a major milestone in large-scale, low-carbon ironmaking. The achievement underscores growing momentum around DRI as a critical feedstock for steel producers seeking greater efficiency and reduced emissions. For the broader metals industry, it signals continued investment and confidence in DRI technology as a foundation for future steel and downstream thermal processing supply chains.

17. Claus Joens, founder of Elnik Systems, has retired after decades of advancing debind-and-sinter furnace technology. His leadership helped strengthen metal manufacturing capabilities critical to defense and advanced industrial applications, leaving a lasting mark on the MIM and thermal processing industries.

18. The Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) has announced its 2026-2027 Board of Directors and Executive Officers, naming Jason Safarz of DUNGS Combustion Controls as president, Bob Fincken of Super Systems, Inc. as vice president, and Chad Spore of John Deere as treasurer. IHEA leadership highlighted Spore’s appointment as a historic milestone, marking the first end-user officer in nearly a century and reinforcing alignment between equipment suppliers and industrial end users.

Thermcraft and Thermo Kinetics partnership in Canada

The two Midrex DRI plants at Tosyalı Algérie

Kudos

19. Stack Metallurgical Group was honored as a Supplier of the Year by BENCHMADE Knives at the 2026 SHOT Show Supplier Showcase. This recognition at one of the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry’s largest trade events underscores Stack’s growing influence and excellence in precision metal processing and heat treat services within the manufacturing supply chain.

20. Applied Thermal Technologies Inc. received its 4^th consecutive 24-month merit for Nadcap.

21. Vacu Braze announced that its metallurgical laboratory has achieved Nadcap accreditation.

Supplier of the Year awarded to Stack Metallurgical Group by BENCHMADE Knives at the 2026 SHOT Show

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IHEA Monthly Economic Report: The Power of Politics

November 3, 2022 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

The monthly Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) Executive Economic Summary released in October investigates the role politics takes in the economy. At this time of the year, thoughts turn to elections, with the economy discussed throughout the nation. What can politicians really do to change the course of the nation's economy? The IHEA report shares a hope for 2023 and some thoughts on what politicians could do to encourage this growth.

The nation's economy spreads over diverse sectors. It's difficult to point to one area to explain the cause of the recession. Some, like the aerospace and automotive, are seeing positive growth. Other areas, like electronics and machinery, are still in a downturn. The report states, "The expectation is that GDP will expand by a very anemic 0.3% in Q3 and this will be followed by another two quarters of GDP decline (0.5% in Q4 and another 0.5% in Q1 of 2023)." After this, if the estimates play out, 2023 will see the economy growing by the end of year. Forecasts suggest that Q2 of 2023 will see small, albeit positive, growth; while Q3 and Q4 suggest significant moves to the positive.

People are holding back on spending, wanting to save something for an uncertain future. They are thinking about their jobs and are concerned for household budgets. If they could be motivated to spend, that will help the economy with substantial growth in 2023. Politicians can do something about this, according to the report.

How can the political sector make an impact? "The most useful thing the politician could do now would be to reassure the population so that there would be the kind of spending that pulls an economy out of a downturn," explains the report. "There could be significant encouragement for the process of reshoring or attention paid to worker shortage or infrastructure development." According to the report this isn't happening. It doesn't seem like the politicians are interested in taking this approach.

Ann Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA — Anne Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA

Check out the full report to see specific index growth and analysis which is available to IHEA member companies. For membership information, and a full copy of the 11-page report, contact Anne Goyer, executive director of the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA). Email Anne by clicking here.

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IHEA Monthly Economic Report: Economy Strong, Rising Prices Predicted

September 28, 2018 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

The monthly economic report published by the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (www.ihea.org) for its member companies reported that the economy is strong mostly due to tax cuts and deficit (debt) spending and warns of rising prices in the future.

Of the 11 indices that are watched and commented on each month, 5 of them are moving in a positive direction, lead by very strong positive numbers from both the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) as well as the Credit Managers Index (CMI). Six indices trending downward all moved only slightly downward, leaving economists to believe that the industrial sector may be treading water while the flood waters (literally and figuratively) recede and until the direction of the economy is more clear.

Of more immediate concern was the reason behind the strong economy. According to IHEA’s economist, the economy has responded positively primarily due to tax cuts and deficit spending. Both of these factors tend to result in future broad-based price increases.

The 11-page report has one overview page followed by 10 pages of deep-dive analysis, one page for each of the 11 indices watched.

To get a full copy of this monthly report, please contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA). Email Mrs. Goyer by clicking here.

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April IHEA Report: Good and Bad in the Numbers

April 30, 2018 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT

Following several months of nothing but relatively good news, this month’s IHEA Executive Economic Summary Report shows some numbers dipping. As Chris Kuehl, the economist behind the report, states in his monthly in-depth analysis, “This month there is good news in bad data and some bad news in the good data. It is not always about whether an index is climbing this month or not. Sometimes it is the overall trend line and how it compares to what it might have been some months ago.”

Auto and light truck sales continue to be strong.

Every month, Dr. Kuehl, through IHEA, provides not only raw data that is of specific interest to the heat treating industry, but he also provides insightful analysis of what the numbers mean and why readers should care.

Dr. Chris Kuehl, economic analyst for IHEA, prepares the monthly IHEA Economic Trends Index.

The April report showed an increase in roughly half of the index numbers, including a surprisingly strong automobile and light truck sales index which, according to Kuehl, “continues to shock analysts as there is an assumption that the market is already saturated. It seems not to be the case as the consumer still has a desire for new wheels and if the current hike in gas prices accelerates there may soon be a new desire for those fuel sippers.”

Steel consumption continues to be week. — Steel consumption continues to be weak.

Along with auto and truck sales, some of the other indices that also continued to climb were industrial capacity utilization, capital expenditures, and durable goods shipments.

Falling indices included the purchasing managers index, new home starts, and steel consumption.

For a look at the complete report, contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA).

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Industrial Heating Equipment Assocation