26 News Chatter to Keep You Current
Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 26 news items, including Boeing’s addition of vacuum furnace capacity to expand in-house heat treating for aerospace components, Solar Atmospheres’ role in supporting thermal processing for materials used in NASA’s Artemis II mission, Aalberts surface technologies’ renewal of Nadcap certification for another 24 months, and more!
Equipment
1. HWI, a member of Calderys Group, has opened a new lightweight monolithics production facility in Fulton, Missouri to expand manufacturing capacity for refractory materials used in high-temperature industrial applications. The facility increases supply and shortens lead times for furnace-lining materials critical to sectors like petrochemicals, aluminum, and power generation, enabling more reliable operations and supporting larger-scale projects.
2. Retech, a U.S.-based member of the SECO/WARWICK Group, is supplying two vacuum induction melting (VIM) casting systems to support production of turbine components used in power generation. The systems are designed to produce advanced alloys with controlled microstructures for components operating under demanding thermal and mechanical conditions.
3. Solar Atmospheres has installed and commissioned a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Fontana, California, further expanding the company’s high-pressure vacuum heat treating capacity in the western United States. The system enables vacuum heat treating and high-pressure quenching of large components essential to high-performance applications across aerospace and other critical industries.
4. Kanthal, an Alleima company, has opened a new service center in Concord, North Carolina, adding U.S.-based production and service capabilities for silicon carbide heating elements used in high-temperature industrial applications across industries such as electronics, glass, and steel manufacturing.
5. A Thai aerospace manufacturer has ordered a vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICK to support heat treatment and vacuum brazing of high-performance alloys used in aircraft engine blades. The additional system expands production capacity and process control for critical materials like titanium and nickel alloys, strengthening the manufacturer’s ability to meet aerospace demand for high-precision, high-temperature components.
6. Thermcraft, a U.S.-based manufacturer of thermal processing equipment serving global markets, has completed the system for an application requiring materials to be tested under vibration while held at high temperature. The system was engineered to maintain a stable and uniform thermal environment while allowing measurement systems to interact directly with the test sample.
7. Bodycote, a global provider of advanced heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, is improving heat treat efficiency and reducing process costs by generating hydrogen on-site at its Rancho Dominguez, California, facility. The system, developed in partnership with Hgen, supports controlled-atmosphere heat treatment and brazing operations for aerospace, automotive, energy, and defense applications while reducing reliance on delivered industrial gas.
8. Vacu-Braze, a commercial heat treater specializing in vacuum heat treating and brazing, has added a large-capacity nitriding furnace to support processing of oversized components requiring enhanced surface hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue performance.
9. Bodycote announced plans to open a new heat treatment facility in Apodaca, Mexico, expanding regional capacity for case hardening and nitriding processes used in automotive, industrial, and medical components. The additional capacity is expected to support growing manufacturing activity by improving supply chain responsiveness and access to localized thermal processing services.
10. A manufacturer has ordered a vacuum furnace system from SECO/WARWICK designed to consolidate multiple heat treating processes — including quenching, tempering, and cryogenic treatment — into a single unit for small arms component production. By replacing several standalone systems with one integrated solution, the furnace streamlines thermal processing, reduces labor and equipment needs, and improves efficiency and repeatability for high-precision manufacturing in the firearms sector.
11. Boeing is adding vacuum furnace capacity at its Tube, Duct and Reservoir Center in Algona, Washington, to expand in-house heat treating capability for aerospace tube and duct assemblies. The system, supplied by Vac-Aero International, is intended to address production needs across commercial and defense aerospace programs.
12. SMS group has received an order from Huzhou Hatebur Precision Forging Co., Ltd. to supply an SMS Elotherm induction bar heating machine for its forging operations. The system will be used to heat billets prior to forming, supporting more efficient and consistent production of precision components such as bearings and automotive parts. The investment reflects continued adoption of induction-based thermal processing to improve process control and energy efficiency in the forging industry.
13. Hirschvogel has partnered with SMS group, along with image-processing specialist Sightwise, to implement an AI-based automated inspection system for closed-die forgings at its Denklingen, Germany facility. The system replaces manual visual checks with fully automated, data-driven quality control — using robotics, high-resolution imaging, and synthetic data modeling — to improve inspection speed, reduce errors, and advance digitalization in forging production for automotive and other high-performance applications.
14. A custom vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnace has been delivered to support the controlled processing of advanced alloys, strengthening material quality for high-spec industries such as aerospace and energy. The system was supplied by SECO/WARWICK, which engineered the solution to meet specific production requirements. The technology is expected to support downstream heat treatment processes by improving alloy cleanliness, consistency, and performance.
Company & Personnel
15. G.S. Precision has acquired Lush Heat Treatment Ltd. and Headwater Precision, Inc., expanding its capabilities across machining, coatings, and thermal processing while extending its footprint in North America and Europe. The additions integrate heat treating and advanced manufacturing services under one platform, strengthening support for aerospace, defense, and other high-spec industries that rely on tightly controlled production of mission-critical components.
16. NUTEC Inc., a manufacturer of industrial insulation and fire protection products, has acquired ETS Schaefer LLC, a supplier of monolithic ceramic fiber insulation, expanding its capabilities in the high-temperature insulation segment. The acquisition strengthens NUTEC’s ability to support furnace and thermal processing operations with integrated insulation solutions, improving performance and efficiency for industries that rely on high-temperature environments. The company will operate as NUTEC ETS SCHAEFER under the leadership of Brian Bradley, recently named general manager of this wholly owned subsidiary of NUTEC.
17. Assan Alüminyum, through its subsidiary Kibar Americas, has acquired an aluminum foil production facility in Fairmont, West Virginia, marking its entry as a local producer in the U.S. market. The investment strengthens the company’s global footprint and improves its ability to serve North American clients with foil products for automotive, HVAC, packaging, and industrial applications, supporting more localized and resilient supply chains.
18. J.F. Lehman & Company has acquired Forged Solutions Group, a manufacturer of high-specification forgings used in aerospace, defense, and space applications. The company produces components including aeroengine discs, shafts, and structural parts from advanced alloys such as titanium, nickel-based superalloys, steel and aluminum before moving through machining and materials testing as part of the production process.
19. Linamar Corporation, a North American manufacturer with in-house heat treating capabilities, has acquired select assets of Winning BLW, strengthening its capabilities in warm forging and precision gear manufacturing for automotive and industrial applications. The acquisition supports production of bevel and helical gears, components that typically require controlled heat treating to achieve the hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue strength needed for drivetrain systems.
20. GE Aerospace has announced a $1 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing sites and supplier base in 2026, marking its second consecutive year at that level of spending and including plans to hire 5,000 workers. The investment is aimed at accelerating jet engine production, strengthening defense manufacturing, and improving supply chain capacity, helping the aerospace sector meet rising demand for commercial and military aircraft while reinforcing U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
21. Solar Atmospheres has provided thermal processing services for materials and components used in NASA’s Artemis II mission, contributing to the production of critical aerospace systems. Its heat treating capabilities support high-performance materials required for extreme space environments, reinforcing reliability and precision in components essential to next-generation space exploration and the broader aerospace supply chain.
22. General Motors announced plans to invest more than $150 million in its Saginaw Metal Casting Operations facility in Michigan to support production of V8 engine blocks and cylinder heads used in full-size trucks and SUVs. The project includes new and upgraded equipment for casting and machining operations, enabling the facility to increase production capacity and maintain output for current engine programs. The Saginaw site has supplied engine components for multiple generations of GM vehicles.
23. Hyundai Steel has signed a contract with Fives Group to supply key technologies for a new U.S.-based automotive steel production facility, advancing plans for a large-scale, electric arc furnace (EAF) mill. The project strengthens localized, low-carbon steel production for the automotive sector, improving supply chain resilience and enabling more efficient delivery of high-quality steel to U.S. vehicle manufacturing operations.
Kudos
24. Gamma Aerospace successfully passed their Heat Treat Nadcap audit, retaining Merit status that reflects the company’s commitment to delivering high quality products and services to their clients.
25. Aalberts surface technologies has expanded Boeing-approved heat treatment processes at its TEY facility in País Vasco, increasing its range of certified aerospace specifications and strengthening its position as a qualified supplier.
26. Aalberts surface technologies announced the renewal of their Nadcap certification for another 24 months at their Besançon facility, reflecting continuous commitment to quality, strict control of special processes, and full compliance with industry requirements.
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