John Hubbard

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

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A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • Todd McDonald was recently hired as president and chief executive officer of Thermal Process Holdings, Inc., which was formed by Calvert Street Capital Partners and John Hubbard, former CEO of Bodycote, PLC, to pursue a buy-and-build strategy in the thermal processing industry.
  • Gasbarre Products, Inc. launched its new website, www.gasbarre.com. As part of the rebranding initiative, Gasbarre has categorized its diverse product offering into three business units: Powder Compaction Solutions, Thermal Processing Systems, and Manufacturing Technologies.
  • Bentraum D. Huffman has been named president and chief executive officer of the Ellwood Group, Inc. Huffman previously had served as chief operating officer since 2015.
  • Chemcoaters, a coil coater and manufacturer of proprietary coating chemistries, has acquired Eco Green Coatings, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. Both companies are located in Gary, Indiana.
  • Connie Mackey, Advanced Heat Treat Corp. (AHT) Corporate Quality Systems Manager, was recently selected to be a voting member of the Nadcap Heat Treating Task Group. Nadcap is a global accreditation program designed to ensure standardized and cost-effective approaches and to provide continual improvement among the aerospace and defense industry.
  • A large retort box furnace used for de-bindering ceramic composite pre-peg materials along with powder metals processing and hot isostatic processing was recently purchased from L&L Special Furnace Co., Inc.
  • A cabinet oven from Grieve, No. 934, is currently being used by the customer for heat treating. Workspace dimensions of this 850°F oven measure 38” W x 20” D x 26” H.
  • A LP gas-fired heavy duty car bottom oven with fume incinerator was recently delivered to a leader in the oil and gas industry by Wisconsin Oven Corporation. This car bottom oven will be used for prebaking drill pipe joints. The thermal clean oven has a maximum operating temperature of 800° F and work chamber dimensions of 8’6″ wide x 50’0″ long x 8’6″ high.

Kudos Chatter

  • Solar Atmospheres, Inc. has filed a Patent Application with the US Patent Office, application number 15/999,873 for a high-pressure, rapid gas quenching vacuum furnace utilizing an isolation transformer in the blower motor power system. The gas quench with a 600 HP motor operates at 460 volts in Argon gas, utilizing a double wound, Magnetic Specialties, Inc. electrical isolation transformer, primary winding 1:1 to the secondary winding, with a Variable Speed Drive and solid state electrical spike protection for motor arc suppression.
  • Thermal-Vac Technology, Inc., located in Orange, CA has received merit status for NADCAP AC7102 Heat Treating accreditation. Thermal-Vac Technology Inc. City Steel Heat Treating, located in Santa Fe Springs, CA has been awarded NADCAP accreditation in AC7102 Heat Treating. This is the initial accreditation award after our 2016 acquisition of this location.
  • Cornwell Quality Tools, which produces fine quality tools with high-grade alloy steel, combined with modern heat-treating methods, celebrates 100 years in business this year.
  • Tekscan’s Gait Analysis System Wins R&D 100 Award. Tekscan is thrilled to announce that StridewayTM has won an R&D 100 Award. The R&D 100 Awards honor the latest and best innovations, identifying the top technology products of the past year. Since 1963, the R&D 100 Awards have identified revolutionary technologies introduced to the market.

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com.

A Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current Read More »

Ohio Heat Treat Provider Acquired, Joins Holdings Group

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John Hubbard, chairman of Thermal Process Holdings

Following the acquisition of a Wisconsin heat treat company, finalized last week, an industry holdings group recently announced the purchase of a high-quality heat treat provider focused in tool and die work.

Thermal Process Holdings (TPH) acquired P & L Heat Treating (P&L) of Youngstown, Ohio, in their continuing efforts to build a leading thermal processing company based on value-added services.

“We are delighted to partner with Bill Pociask and the P&L team. P&L is a well-run heat treating operation providing high-quality service. Both Bill Pociask and P&L are excellent additions to the TPH group,” said John Hubbard, chairman of TPH.

Bill Pociask, founder and president of P&L

“I am excited to work with the TPH group of companies. There are many opportunities for us to help each other grow and continue to serve our customers. The future is very bright for P&L,” said Bill Pociask, founder and president of P&L.

TPH also owns and operates: Diamond Heat Treat, based in Rockford, Illinois; Certified Heat Treating, based in Springfield, Ohio; and Hudapack Metal Treating, based in Elkhorn and Franklin, Wisconsin.

TPH was formed by Calvert Street Capital Partners and John Hubbard (former CEO of Bodycote, PLC) to pursue a buy-and-build strategy in the thermal processing industry. You can listen to an interview with John Hubbard regarding the strategy of Calvert Street Capital Partners, conducted by Heat Treat Today‘s publisher, Doug Glenn, at this Heat Treat Radio link.

Ohio Heat Treat Provider Acquired, Joins Holdings Group Read More »

Acquisition of Wisconsin Heat Treat Company to Expand Value-Added Services

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John Hubbard, Chairman of TPH

A Wisconsin heat treating company has been acquired by an industry holdings group in a bid to build a leading thermal processing company based on value-added services.

Thermal Process Holdings, Inc. (TPH), purchased Hudapack Metal Treating, Inc., which owns and operates heat treat facilities in Elkhorn and Franklin Wisconsin. In TPH’s acquisition of Hudapack, co-founded by Gary Huss, Charles Davis, and Earl Pack, the company’s strategy is to identify and bring together leading businesses that share a focus on world-class safety, quality, service, and advanced technology. TPH also owns and operates Diamond Heat Treat, based in Rockford, Illinois, and Certified Heat Treating, based in Springfield, Ohio.

Gary Huss, co-founder and President of Hudapack

“We are excited to announce the third acquisition in our strategy to build a best-in-class company that offers a range of advanced services,” said John Hubbard, Chairman of TPH. “I have known and respected Gary Huss for over 30 years and am appreciative that he has entrusted us with the two businesses he has successfully built. I am also pleased that Greg Huss has agreed to become the General Manager of both Elkhorn and Franklin and look forward to working with him as we seek to grow Hudapack.”

“We began operations in 1985 and have been more successful than I ever imagined. When making the difficult decision to sell the business and retire, an important consideration was finding a buyer who would ensure the continued success of the business and provide opportunities for the Hudapack employees. I am confident that John Hubbard and the TPH team will carry out those objectives. I am also delighted that Greg will become GM of both locations. He has spent his career in the business and this transition provides an exciting leadership opportunity for him,” said Gary Huss, co-founder and President of Hudapack.

 

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A Baker’s Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

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A Baker’s Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • John Hubbard, P.E., has been awarded the 2018 Distinguished Alumni of the year award from Cleveland State University’s Washkewicz College of Engineering, which has provided a tradition of high-quality undergraduate and graduate education in engineering and engineering technology. Hubbard recently joined Calvert Street to form Thermal Process Holdings to create a new North American heat treating group.
  • Paulo is pleased to announce the promotion of two employees to new roles in the company. Scott Herzing, a 20-year company veteran who most recently was Manager of Project Engineering, will take over as Vice President of Engineering. And Jessica Sickmeier, who had been Director of Human Resources Development, has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources.
  • Contour Hardening, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is proud to announce the appointment of Ben Crawford as its new CEO and President. The appointment, which became official on July 30, 2018, follows the recent passing of Contour Hardening’s founder, CEO and President, John Storm.
  • The National Tooling and Machining Association, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has announced the appointment of Dean Bartles, PhD, as their new president, succeeding Dave Tilstone, who is retiring after serving as president since 2010. Bartles brings almost four decades of experience in the manufacturing sector, most recently as the director of the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center at the University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH). Previously, Bartles served as a president of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, president of the North American Manufacturing Research Institute, founding executive director of the Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute, and founding chairman of the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition.
  • Kristopher R. Westbrooks was recently named as executive vice president and chief financial officer to succeed current CFO Christopher J. Holding at TimkenSteel Corp., based in Canton, Ohio. Westbrooks joined the company in this new role on September 24, 2018.
  • Jim Feltner, vice president of sales and marketing with FPM Heat Treating, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, was recently honored with an Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the Daily Herald Business Ledger, nominated by Tom Merrick.

Equipment Chatter

  • A Warrington, PA, furnace manufacturer recently delivered a large dual chamber unit to a metal stamping manufacturer in the Midwest. Lucifer Furnaces built Model HL82-P24, a hardening furnace over tempering oven, as a space-saving combination for multipurpose heat treating. The upper hardening chamber heats to 2300°F with 6.5” multilayer insulation throughout the chamber.
  • A vacuum furnace heat exchanger cleaning process has been developed by Souderton, PA, company Solar Atmospheres, involving a 12-hour soak submerged in a suitable tub using a water base cleaning agent. Recirculated forced water jets wash out the accumulated dirt from deep inside the heat exchanger. It is then pressure washed and blown dry with nitrogen gas. The heat exchanger is cleaned to an as new condition and then returned to the user.
  • A global manufacturer recently purchased a second vacuum furnace from SECO/VACUUM, a SECO/WARWICK company, for its US-based manufacturing operations. This second furnace, a vacuum temper furnace for tempering and stress relieving metal parts, is part of the company’s new US-based manufacturing expansion and becomes a centerpiece in a new processing line for the company.
  • An electrically heated annealing furnace was recently shipped to a firearms manufacturer to be used for annealing an assortment of brass and bronze firearm caps. Wisconsin Oven Corporation provided this conveyor furnace with a maximum temperature rating of 1,400° F (760° C) and a normal operating temperature of 572° to 1,202° F (300° to 650° C).

 

Kudos Chatter

  • On 24 September, at the Grand Gala of the Business Leader 2018, SECO/WARWICK was awarded for the second time the statuette in recognition of the company’s strong market position. Katarzyna Sawka, Marketing Director of SECO/WARWICK Group, collected the award on behalf of the Company. “Business Leader” is the award that recognizes the best companies in Western Poland who conduct their business in a transparent and honest manner and their success is a regional trademark.
  • Pelican Wire was named Manufacturer of the Year in the Small Business category at the 2018 Manufacturers Association of Florida “MAF Exchange” conference and awards banquet. Selected from over fifty nominees spanning numerous industries and cities throughout the State of Florida, Pelican Wire also received this award in 2014.
  • Ohio Star Forge, a steel firm with heat treating, cold roll forming, and CNC machining capabilities, recently held a ribbon cutting for its expansion and celebrated its 30th anniversary at the company’s location in Youngstown, Ohio. Ohio Star Forge was originally a joint venture of Copperweld Steel and Japanese company Daido Steel.

 

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com.

A Baker’s Dozen Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current Read More »

Certified Heat Treating Acquired by Baltimore Investment Group

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John Hubbard, chairman of Thermal Process Holdings

An Ohio-based company providing heat treatment for the general manufacturing market, Certified Heat Treating, has been acquired by Thermal Process Holdings, an investment vehicle formed by Calvert Street Capital Partners (CSCP).

“We are excited to announce the second acquisition in our strategy to build a best-in-class company that offers a range of advanced services. The Biehn family wanted to ensure the continued success of the business and to provide opportunities for their people. We are intent on carrying out those objectives,” said John Hubbard, chairman of Thermal Process Holdings.

Don Longenetter, General Manager of Certified Heat Treating

Don Longenette, who has been director of facilities and maintenance with Diamond Heat Treat, another recent acquisition of CSCP, will serve as general manager of Certified during the transition, which will include overseeing vacuum heat treating, atmosphere heat treating, induction heat treating, carburizing, oil and neutral hardening, among other treatments, at the company’s Springfield, Ohio, facility.

“The operating history of Certified dates to 1959, and the company has a solid reputation in the broad spectrum of industries it serves. We look forward to building on that reputation and growing the business. I’m excited to work with Joe Biehn [president of Certified Heat Treating], who will immediately focus his full attention on driving additional sales. Our goal with Certified is to utilize the exceptional quality of the equipment, the expertise and experience of the employees, and to take advantage of the open capacity of the furnaces,” said Longenette.

Calvert Street is a Baltimore, Maryland-based private equity firm focused on investing in industrial service businesses in the lower middle-market. Thermal Process Holdings builds upon Calvert Street’s experience in other high-value add industrial sectors, including testing and inspection and precision machining.

Certified Heat Treating Acquired by Baltimore Investment Group Read More »

First Acquisition Made in Plan to Develop a Leading Thermal Processing Company

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Diamond Heat Treat has agreed to be acquired by Calvert Street Capital Partners. Diamond Heat Treat is based in Rockford, Illinois. Diamond represents the initial investment in the strategy to build a leading thermal processing company focused on value-added services. Central to this strategy is identifying and bringing together leading businesses that share a focus on world-class safety, quality, service, and advanced technology.
Mike Sobieski, CEO of the thermal processing strategy, commented: “Diamond represents our initial investment and we are delighted to partner with the Diamond team. The company, founded in 1996, has a long and well-deserved reputation for quality and service. We want to thank Bill Akre, Dan Neiber and Bill Denning and acknowledge their accomplishments. They have built an excellent company, and their priority has been to continue the success of the business and provide opportunities for their people. We are honored to continue – and hopefully build upon – their legacy.”
John Hubbard, Chairman, remarked, “I am excited that Diamond is our first step in building a best-in-class company that offers a range of advanced technologies. I believe that there is a tremendous opportunity to offer specialized services to address the evolving technological challenges in the marketplace. We look forward to announcing future acquisitions.”
As announced previously, Calvert Street has partnered with leading executives to build a meaningful thermal processing business. The team, which includes Don Longenette and Lewis Lance in addition to Mike Sobieski and John Hubbard, consists of highly experienced individuals who have spent their careers in thermal processing. This team has complementary skill sets and will be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the thermal processing platform.
Calvert Street is a Baltimore, Maryland-based private equity firm focused on investing in industrial service businesses in the lower middle-market. Since its inception in 1995, Calvert Street has focused on partnering with skilled management teams of privately held businesses to drive profitable growth and organizational transformation. The thermal processing partnership builds upon Calvert Street’s experience in other high-value add industrial sectors, including testing and inspection and precision machining.

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Heat Treat Radio #7: Former Bodycote CEO Re-Enters Heat Treat Market

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Welcome to another episode of Heat Treat Radio, a periodic podcast where Heat Treat Radio host, Doug Glenn, discusses cutting-edge topics with industry-leading personalities. Below, you can either listen to the podcast by clicking on the audio play button, or you can read an edited version of the transcript. To see a complete list of other Heat Treat Radio episodes, click here.

Audio: Former Bodycote CEO Re-Enters Heat Treat Market

In this conversation, Heat Treat Radio host, Doug Glenn, interviews John Hubbard, longtime CEO of Bodycote who retired in 2009 and has recently re-entered the market with an aggressive capital investment company located in Baltimore, Maryland. This 20-minute Heat Treat Radio interview gives you all the important news about what Mr. Hubbard and the Calvert Street Capital Partners (CSCP) are planning. To date, CSCP, under the leadership of Mr. Hubbard, have snagged top talent from the industry, including Mike Sobieski and Don Longenette, and are actively pursuing the acquisition of well-established and profitable commercial heat treat across North America.

Our aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy manufacturers with in-house heat treats will find it encouraging to hear what John has to offer.

Click the play button below to listen.

 

Doug Glenn, Publisher, Heat Treat Today
Doug Glenn, Heat Treat Today publisher and Heat Treat Radio host.

To find other Heat Treat Radio episodes, go to www.heattreattoday.com/radio and look in the list of Heat Treat Radio episodes listed.

Heat Treat Radio #7: Former Bodycote CEO Re-Enters Heat Treat Market Read More »

2016 Hephaestus Award Recipient

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John Hubbard, Hephaestus Award

The Hephaestus Award will be bestowed this year to Mr. John Hubbard, P.E. for his contribution to the development of heat treating worldwide. Mr. Hubbard devoted his entire career to the thermal processing industry and was a driving force behind the remarkable growth story of Bodycote, the world’s leading provider of thermal processing services. Under his leadership, Bodycote expanded rapidly from a UK-focused heat treater to the preeminent global company. He made over 200 acquisitions before retiring to return to the United States in 2009. Mr. Hubbard didn’t stay away for too long. Earlier this year, he came out of retirement to return to the heat treating business, working with Calvert Street, a private US investment firm, both as an investor and a board member.

The Hephaestus Award recognizes contributions made by academic and industrial researchers and industry leaders to the field of heat treating that have had an impact on surface engineering, materials science, and industrial processes or production techniques.

Past Recipients

tacikowski
Professor Jan TACIKOWSKI of the Institute of Precision Mechanics, Poland, Ground-breaking work in controlled nitriding.
funatani
– Dr. Kiyoshi FUNATANI, Leading role in the development and industrialization of various nitriding technologies in the automotive industry.
totten
Dr. George TOTTEN, Long-standing efforts in quenching and tribology, as well as his contributions to standards development.
Liedtke
Dr. Dieter LIEDTKE, 50 years of dedication to the practical development of heat treating at Bosch and lifetime service to the AWT (German Association for Heat Treatment and Materials Engineering), as well as his positive guidance in the classroom.

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