Recently “Mr. Kevin Stone” of commercial heat treater “Hi-Tech Steel Treating” in  Saginaw, Michigan, USA invited “Gord Montgomery” of  “The Monty Heat Treat News” for a tour of his facility, a tour which took place Thursday August 14, 2025.

Founded in 1983 the firm is located in the heart of the US automotive industry and over the years the company’s fortunes have been closely tied to that of the “Big Three”-in particular “General Motors”. Shifts in the auto industry have forced the company to look at other markets which they have quite successfully done, the end is result is that a tour of the facility reveals components from industries as diverse as medical, defense and general industry.

These shifts in their customer base means that their technology offerings have also shifted and now included vacuum hardening, carburizing, nitriding, induction hardening, stress relieving, vacuum FNC and straightening.

All of this required a large facility and a good-sized work force which means the plant occupies over 50,000 square feet with over 30 employees. Like many firms in the commercial heat treat industry this is a second generation family owned business with “Kevin Stone” gradually taking over from his father “Jim”.

These photos give you a good idea about the facility and show some of the various technologies available; Batch IQ furnaces, Vacuum Hardening systems, a Vacuum FNC unit and part of the induction department. If you ever find yourself in Saginaw with time on your hands, I am sure that Kevin and his team would be glad to give you a quick tour-I can assure you they are a very friendly group.

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