“Amsted” Automotive Shows a Clean, Efficient “In-House” Heat Treat Department
Prior to the "ASM" Heat Treat Conference being held in Monterrey, Mexico April 14-16th, 2026 Gord Montgomery of "The Monty Heat Treat News" had the opportunity to visit auto and truck component supplier "Amsted Automotive" in Monterrey, Mexico.
The plant which occupies over 100,000 square feet with roughly 140 employes manufacturers piston components for a variety of different industries including auto and truck manufacturing as well as power generation applications.Interestingly enough while each of these sectors is strong for the company, it is the power generation sector which is really boosting this facility-remember that "The Monty" has mentioned this recurring theme several times recently. Power Generation Is Booming!
Demand is strong enough and stable enough to support three, two row Holcroft pusher furnaces-a furnace style which is becoming less and less common. Each furnace has a capacity of roughly 2,000 pounds/hour with an endothermic atmosphere provided by two "endo" generators.Our plant tour was hosted by "Mr. Eduardo Resendiz", Heat Treat Process Engineer who provided us with this rather interesting article about his background, role in the company and comments on the challenges and successes of an in-house heat treating department.
"Eduardo Resendiz, Metallurgical and Materials Engineer graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) in Mexico City. He currently works as a Heat Treatment Process Engineer at Amsted Automotive, part of the international Amsted Industries group, where he is responsible for the carburizing and tempering processes of steel fasteners.
Throughout his career at the company, he has successfully implemented significant improvements in process control, as well as in tooling design. These efforts have enabled increased furnace loading capacity, improved part quality, and ensured an optimal microstructure in compliance with customer requirements.
Additionally, he has developed and implemented automation processes in furnaces, reducing operator involvement in physically demanding or high-temperature risk tasks, thereby improving operational safety.
Collaboration with strategic suppliers such as SSi has contributed to expanding technical knowledge and process vision, driving continuous improvement in heat treatment operations.
These initiatives have resulted in enhanced process efficiency, increased safety, reduced operational costs, and significant savings, including lower gas consumption, reduced carbon footprint, and optimized energy usage.
Among the main challenges faced in the past year are adapting to stricter requirements from new customers, as well as executing new projects that demand continuous process improvement, stronger control systems, in-depth failure analysis, and the implementation of effective solutions."
Left to Right; Gord Montgomery, Oscar Camacho, SSi Mexico, Salvador Alvarado, General Manager SSi Mexico, Expedito Barocio, Director of North American Piston Pin Operations, Eduardo Resendiz, Amsted Heat Treat Engineer
Left to Right; Salvador Alvarado, General Manager SSi, Mexico, Eduardo Resendiz, Heat Treat Engineer, Amsted, Oscar Camacho, SSi Mexico