When
looking for the individuals most responsible for charting the current
and future pattern of heat treating in North America what criteria are
we applying? The academics who research the theories of heat treating or
the individuals who implement these ideas? The CEO's of the largest
commercial heat treat companies or the metallurgists at the large
captives such as General Motors or Boeing? Do furnace makers initiate
new technologies or are they merely following what the market dictates?
Does a purchasing agent at Timken Bearings or Ford effect heat treating
or are they merely following the dictates of the metallurgical or
engineering department? Ultimately you could argue that the CEO of
General Motors affects the heat treating industry in North America far
more than any one person directly involved in heat treating. At the end
of the day we relied upon our opinions and our readers opinions (of
which there were many) to arrive at a list that includes all of the
above. You'll see several CEO's of the continents' largest
commercial heat treaters, several entrepreneurs whose products have had
a direct bearing on the technology currently in use, a good
representation of the new furnace builders, at least 2 individuals at
the large captives and several academics whose research into the
industry has proven to be invaluable. While Mr. John Hubbard of Bodycote
International was far and away the number one choice as the most
influential individual in the North American heat treating industry and
we rated him as such the rest of our selections are listed
alphabetically.
Mr.
John Hubbard, CEO, Bodycote International (Commercial Heat Treating). While
John is based in the UK the decisions he and Bodycote make as the
largest commercial heat treater in the world have a direct bearing on
commercial heat treating, the fortunes of some of the industries'
suppliers and through their success at taking over captive heat treating
operations they also have an impact on captive heat treating.
Mr.
Martin Beaton, Regional Director - Great Lake Region, Bodycote
International. Martin oversees a number of Bodycote plants in Canada,
the US and Mexico and is one of the top managers at Bodycote in North
America. In our opinion one of the most competent individuals in the
industry and a person that has a direct impact on a number of heat
treating decisions.
Bill
Bernard, Surface Combustion, (new Furnaces). When introduced in the
last century Surface Combustion's, "Allcase" batch IQ furnaces
completely changed the direction of heat treating. As owner and
President of the company Bill has had a direct impact on the industry.
Mr.
Howard Boyer- Editor of the ASM Metals Handbooks and the Heat
Treaters Guide.
Steve Graham, American Axle. Steve is in charge of Heat Treating for
American Axle, one of the largest captive heat treaters in North
America. Like
all the individuals on our list his decisions have a large bearing on
which way the industry goes in the future.
Mr.
Daniel Herring, (The Heat Treat Doctor) Herring Group. The only
consultant in our group, Dan's opinions have helped shape the course of
heat treating for a number of companies.
Bill
Jones, CEO of Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, PA. (Commercial vacuum
heat treating) and Solar Manufacturing (new vacuum furnaces). Bill is a
true innovator whose research into vacuum heat treating furnaces has had
a very definite impact on vacuum heat treating.
Zia
Karim has from an aerospace heat treating perspective played a major
role in the development and institutions of Nadcap. At Nadcap he has
held the longest position as staff engineer (not to mention at one time
he was the only one global wise) forging alliances with Boeing and
Aerospace primes to bring them on board. As NADCAP has had such an
impact on the industry it is only fitting that Zia is mentioned.
The
Keough Family. Bob, Bill and Chip. While semi retired at the age of
91 Bob was one of the pioneers of austempering, Chip as President of
Applied Process (commercial salt heat treating) and Bill as President of
AFC-Holcroft (new furnaces) have all had a very definite impact on the
industry.
Mr.
Michel Korwin, President of Nitrex Metal Inc., Montreal, Quebec.
Michel is probably more responsible than any other individual in North
America for the growth of Gas Nitriding. In addition his efforts to form
a controls group are likely to also have an impact on the industry.
Janusz Kowalewski, Seco Warwick, Meadville, PA. Janusz has proven to
be an innovator who has taken Seco Warwick (new furnaces) into new
directions.
Professor George Krauss- Colorado School of Mines who has authored
many books for ASM on Heat Treating.
Bob
McCulley, Chrysler, Kokomo, Indiana. As head of one of the largest
captive heat treating operations in North America, Chryslers', Kokomo,
Indiana transmission plant, Bob's decisions have a direct impact on the
course that Chrysler takes when it comes to heat treating.
Rich
Penrose, President and Owner of California Brazing. While the
position of President of MTI (Metal Treating Institute) is more
ceremonial than anything, the President does influence the decisions
that this organization makes. Rich is the 2007 President and in addition
he has been a pioneer in the brazing field.
Mr.
George Pfaffmann- Ajax Tocco- Induction Heat Treating. It surprised
us the number of Induction "guys" that were suggested for our list.
George's name came up on such a regular basis that his inclusion was a
very easy decision.
Bob
Peaslee, Wall Colmonoy Corp. (captive and commercial heat treating
and brazing). This is an interesting choice. We personally at "The Monty"
have never met Bob or spoken with him but his name came up more than
anybody else's (with the exception of John Hubbard) in our suggestions
and we respect our reader's choices.
Ben
Rassieur, CEO Paulo Products. No way can we ignore the President of
the largest privately owned heat treat group in North America.
Dr.
Valery Rudnev, Inductoheat, Madison Heights, Michigan. A name we are
very familiar with and which a number of people mentioned as a real
innovator in the Induction heating industry.
Gary
Sharp, Owner and President of Advanced Heat Treat Corp. in Waterloo,
Iowa. Many years ago when Ion Nitriding was introduced to the North
American heat treating market the technology got off to a very rocky
start and languished for many years in the wilderness of heat treating.
Gary saw an opportunity and has grown Advanced into the largest
commercial Ion Nitrider in North America with the effect that it is now
after many years seen as an excellent technology in certain applications.
Mr.
Carl Spezio, CEO of Bluewater Thermal the largest US based
commercial heat treater. Carl took Bluewater from a division of
Gibraltar Steel to an independent heat Treating Group, Bluewater
Thermal. His actions have created a real change in the industry.
Steve Stormzand (Bosch/DTC) Pioneer in plasma nitriding and HPGQ. A
name we are not familiar with but several individuals suggested Steve as
having brought about changes in the industry because of his interest in
Plasma (Ion) Nitriding and High Pressure
gas quenching.
Bill
Thompson, founder of both Marathon Monitors and Super Systems (furnace
control systems). While Bill did not invent the oxygen probe his
effectiveness in bringing it to market has meant it is very unusual to
see a furnace without an oxygen probe and changed how all heat treaters
in North America control their furnaces.
Dr.
George Totten- Union Carbide Corporation who over the years has
provided very extensive knowledge about quenching. A very well known
individual within the industry.
Dale
Weirs, Boeing, who is pushing the envelope when it comes to heat
treating, Boeing is an enormous captive heat treater, a major outsourcer
of heat treating and as the man in charge of these decisions Dale
certainly influences the direction of heat treating in North America.
Mr.
Martyn Wilton, President of Bodycote, North America. While John
Hubbard, CEO of Bodycote International has been suggested as the most
influential individual in the North American heat treating industry it
is only fitting that the President of Bodycote, North America also been
included on our list.
August 2007
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