Heat Treat Industry Losing a “Good One”-Rick Clift

With over 40 years’ experience in the North American heat treat industry, the announcement by “Mr. Rick Clift” that he is retiring at the end of September 2026 marks a real loss to the heat treatment industry.

A metallurgical engineer by background Mr. Clift started his career with “Atlas Steel” (now Valbruna ASW Inc.) in Welland, Ontario, Canada over 40 years ago. His career has made several twists and turns over the years which led to some time as metallurgist and heat treat engineer at auto parts supplier “TRW Products” in St. Catherines, Ontario. After a brief return to Atlas Mr. Clift joined commercial heat treater “H & S” in Port Robinson, Ontario (H & S is now IMT Elemental) in 2001 as corporate metallurgist.

Mr. Clift told us yesterday (and we paraphrase) that he is very proud of the fact that he has passed his lifetime experience along to his successor and that he is very pleased by the fact that the next generation is well prepared for the future.

Mr. Clift has been very involved in “MTI” (Metal Treating Institute) over his long career and is well known to many in the North American commercial heat treat industry. He will continue his part time career of teaching metallurgy at the local college.

“IMT Elemental” is one of the largest commercial/captive heat treaters in Canada.

• Furnace Builder CAN-ENG Lands Walking Beam Furnace Order
• Pennsylvania, USA Manufacturer Adding Aluminum Brazing Capabilities