For years CO2 emissions have been a very hot topic in Europe but little talked about in North America. However under the current US and Canadian administrations emissions are being discussed more and more. “The Monty Heat Treat News” would be derelict in our duties if we did not look into what impact CO2 emissions will have on the heat treatment industry and so we turned to one of the foremost experts in the heat treatment industry, our good friend Mr. Thomas Doppler of furnace builder Aichelin. Thomas recently moved into a position where he will be in charge of CO2 emissions for the entire company;

“Thomas Dopler, who has been working within AICHELIN Group in many different functions for over 13 years, is the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of AICHELIN Holding GmbH. In this role, he is responsible for positioning AICHELIN Group as a technology partner of the industry to contribute to a further reduction of CO2 emissions in heat treatment. In addition Thomas also recently became Chief Executive Officer at Berndorf Innovations & Technology GmbH (Berndorf Group is the parent company of Aichelin and Berndorf Innovations & Technology).”

Over the course of the next few months Thomas will be providing us with a number of articles about the subject which will include;

• A questionnaire (which appears below) about CO2 emissions from various sources including cars and the very act of breathing
• How do different forms of heat treatment process vary in emissions
• What is the Aichelin strategy for emissions
• How do electrically heated furnaces compare with gas and hydrogen?
• High Efficiency Burners.

In addition we are looking forward to hearing Thomas in person when he joins us for another “Heat Treat Podcast” with our host Mr. Carlos Torres.

1) Human Breathing: How much CO2 is emitted on average per person each year through Breathing?

• 84 pounds?
• 160 pounds per year?
• 840 pounds?
• 1800 pounds?

Answer; 840 Pounds. The average human exhales about 2.3 pounds of carbon dioxide on an average day, so per year this is roughly 840 pounds.

2) CO2 absorption per tree (assuming a lifespan of 40 years); What is the average CO2 absorption of a single tree during their lifetime?

• .5 tons CO2?
• 1 ton of CO2?
• 2 tons C02?
• 4 tons of CO2?

Answer: 2 Tons. The CO2 absorption capacity depends on the type of tree and the resulting density. With a few exceptions, deciduous wood has a higher density than evergreens and can therefore absorb a greater amount of CO2 over their life cycle. However a good average is that a single tree will absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. This means it will sequester approximately 2 tons of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches 40 years old (note that this is a very variable number depending upon whether the tree is mature or not and the type of tree).

3) A 2021 Dodge Ram pickup truck has an average CO2 emission of 352 grams. What is the annual impact for a mileage of 15,000 miles per year?

• 7 tons of CO2?
• 70 tons of CO2?
• 150 tons of CO2?
• 703 tons of CO2?

Answer: 7 Tons of CO2. 20.000 km * 352 g/km = 7 tons of CO2

4) What is the average CO2 emission per person per year around the world? This would include all factors including breathing, manufacturing, driving, eating and travelling to name a few. 

• 2 tons of CO2 per person?
• 4 tons of CO2 per person?
• 8 tons of CO2 per person?

Answer: 4 Tons. The global average is 4 tons per person but this varies geographically . The frontrunner is the state of Qatar, which recorded a value of 31.27 tons/capita in calendar year 2019. Austria emits about 6.96 tons/person, which is above the global average. USA – 16,14 tons/person. Germany – 9,15 tons/person. China – 7,95 tons/person

5) What are the approximate total CO2 emissions of a Mercedes E220d? This includes car production, fuel production, driving operation, and the end-of-life cycle.

• 3.6 tons of CO2?
• 360 tons of CO2?
• 3600 tons CO2?
• 36 tons of CO2?

Answer: 36 Tons. 10 years of 3 tons + 6 tons production footprint = 36 tons

6) The CO2 tax is an environmental tax on the emissions of carbon dioxide and, if applicable, other climate-relevant greenhouse gases. The aim is to reduce emissions and the resulting negative effects through levies and penalties. What is the current tax per ton of CO2 in Canada? (note that the USA and Mexico do not have carbon taxes).

• $0 USD per ton of CO2?
• $40 USD per ton of CO2?
• $80 USD per ton of CO2?
• $150 USD per ton of CO2?

Answer: Canada has a tax of $40 USD per ton. Canada currently charges $40 USD per ton with plans to raise it to $135 USD per tonne by 2030.

7) How many tons of CO2 emissions are created in the building of a typical Batch IQ (MPCF Multi Purpose Chamber Furnace)? We will use the example of a furnace with working dimensions of 36” X 48” X 36” (900 mm X 1200 X 900) , with a 3500 pound capacity (1587 kg) and which will operate at 1700F (950C). A typical furnace this size would incorporate 20 tons of steel and about 10 tons of brick insulation.

• 6000 tons CO2
• 60 tons CO2
• 6 tons CO2
• 600 600 CO2

Answer: 50-60 Tons of CO2. 20 tons of steel and 10 tons of insulation equals 50 – 60 tons of CO2

 8) Using the furnace example above, a batch furnace with a weight capacity of 3500 pound capacity (1587 kg) and operating at a temperature of  1700F (950C), what would be the average CO2 emissions per year at full capacity utilization and 90% availability?

• 4 tons CO2 per year?
• 40 tons CO2 per year?
• 400 tons CO2 per year?
• 4000 tons CO2 per year?

Answer: 400 Tons per Year. Depending on the process and the load size the average Batch IQ Furnace emits around 250 tons/year. However depending upon efficiency of the furnace and size of the loads this could increase to 400 tons per year.

9) By what factor is the price per kWh of electricity higher than that of gas on the Michigan market?

• Factor =
• Factor =
• Factor =
• Factor =

Answer: Michigan: [2021] industrial electricity rate industry .122 USD per/kWh industrial gas rate industry $7.58 USD per Thousand Cubic Feet.

10) What is the percentage of renewable energy in the Chinese electrical mix?

• approx. 10%?
• approx. 30%?
• approx. 50%?
• approx. 90%?

Answer: 30%. The amount of renewable energy in China has risen sharply in recent years. Currently renewable energy accounts for just under 30% of China’s energy system. By comparison, Austria has a share of just under 75% renewable energy.

11) How much CO2 does the entire global steel industry emit per year? [2020 production was 1.9 million tons of steel]

• 3.8 million tons CO2?
• 38 million tons CO2?
• 380 million tons CO2?
• 3.800 million tons CO2?

Answer: 3.9 million Tons Per Year. 2020, about 1.900 million tons of steel were produced worldwide. With an emission factor of 2, this results in 3.800 million tons of CO2 per year. Austria’s voestalpine produced  around 7.42million tons of crude steel at its production site in Linz (2019). With an emission factor of 1.678 t(Co2)/t, this results in emissions of 12.45 million tons. The national steel industry is responsible for around 10% of Austria’s CO2 emissions.

12) How many tons of CO2 emissions do all installed Aichelin industrial furnaces produce per year? (hint; in multi chamber furnaces alone Aichelin has over 3000 multi chamber furnaces installed) 150 mio. t CO2 per year

• 15 million tons CO2 per year?
• 1.5 million tons CO2 per year?
• 150 million tons CO2 per year?

Answer: 150 million tons per year. simplified 3000 multi chamber furnaces + 600 pusher-type furnaces + 50% rest (3000*250+600*400)*1,5 = 1,485*10^6

13) How many tons of CO2 would an average user reduce their emissions by annually by converting the above-mentioned furnaces to the latest generations of Noxmat Etamat burners? (The associated increase in efficiency is around +10%)

• 150,000 tons CO2 per year?
• 1.50 million tons CO2 per year?
• 15 million tons CO2 per year?
• 150 million tons CO2 per year?

Answer: 150,000 tons per year. With a 10% increase in burner efficiency a user would see on average a savings of 150,000 tons/year of CO2 emissions.

10 Largest Single Location Captive Heat Treats-North America

For the past several weeks “The Monty Heat Treat News” (with the help of a number of our readers) has been researching the largest single location captive heat treats in North America for our list of the 10 largest. And how did we decide who should be on the list? The basic criteria includes these points;

• This is based upon the total number of furnaces (or cells in the case of vacuum carburizing applications) at each location as opposed to total throughput in terms of pounds.
• The main criteria is that each be a single location or campus. As an example Schaeffler Bearing ranks amongst the largest overall in terms of the number of furnaces in North America, however they are spread over quite a few different locations such as Stratford, Ontario, Canada, Joplin, MO, USA, Cheraw, SC, USA and Irapuato, Mexico to name a few. Spoiler alert-they are not be on our list for that reason.
• We want to emphasize that our list only includes captive (in house) heat treats. We received several suggestions about ALD in Port Huron, Michigan, USA who has a total of 37 vacuum carburizing cells under one roof, however this is a commercial heat treater rather than a captive heat treat and they are not included on this list.
• It is really no surprise that the vast bulk of companies on this list are automotive suppliers and in particular suppliers involved in drivetrain components-no other industries rival the sheer volumes that the auto industry handles each and every day.
• We looked closely at the aerospace industry, in particular at some of the Pratt & Whitney plants in the US Northeast and the southern states, however while a number have very substantial heat treat departments typically featuring vacuum furnaces none came close to the auto parts suppliers.
• “The Monty Heat Treat News” also looked at the oil and gas industry, however again while some suppliers such as Haliburton maintain large in house heat treats none compare in size to the firms on our list.
• It’s interesting to see how much the industry has changed over the past 20 years-an example being pusher furnaces. In 2000 we can guarantee that the largest captive heat treaters would have been very heavily weighted towards auto parts suppliers with pusher furnaces-this is no longer the case. Since then pusher furnaces have largely been pushed aside in favor of vacuum carburizing systems and batch IQ units.
• Disclaimer time. Not for a second do we claim that this list should be considered 100% accurate, however we will say with certainty that every single manufacturer on this list ranks amongst the largest in house heat treaters in North America.

Number 10 Caterpillar, East Peoria, Illinois

In years gone by we have rated Caterpillar, the world’s large construction-equipment manufacturer as one of the largest captive heat treaters in North America based on their various facilities throughout the USA many of whom have in house heat treating. Our criteria this year is slightly different in that we are looking at single location captive heat treatment facilities. However having said that we would rank the Caterpillar facility in East Peoria, Illinois as the 10 largest captive heat treat facility in North America.

Number 9 Amsted Rail – BRENCO Bearings, Petersburg, Virginia

A newcomer to our list of the 10 largest single location captive heat treaters is a bearing company, BRENCO Bearings a division of Amstead Rail, located in Petersburg, Virginia. Amsted Rail’s Brenco^® Bearings was founded in 1949 to manufacture bronze journal bearings for railroad freight cars. In 1959, Brenco received conditional AAR approval for the product it is known for today throughout the worldwide railroad industry,the tapered roller bearing-in short the company makes bearings for the railroad industry. The company has locations around the world, at least two of which have in house heat treatment departments. While the heat treatment department in Petersburg is not as large as it once one it still includes multiple pit carburizing furnaces and rotary hearth units.

Number 8 Dana Corp., Queretaro, Mexico

Number 8 on our list is yet another large auto parts maker, Dana Corporation, Queretaro, Mexico. While Dana has numerous facilities around the globe that include heat treating the largest is an enormous complex in the Mexican city of Queretaro with several large, separate in house heat treating departments. There are 3 separate facilities here, Dana Forja which has a heat treating department doing annealing in continuous furnaces, Dana Cardanes which has 7 batch IQ furnaces, roughly 40 induction lines and 11 tempers and Dana, ENCO which has 2 AFC-Holcroft UBQ furnaces along with 4 pusher furnaces (as of 2020).

Number 7 Stellantis, Kokomo, Indiana

In 1956 Chrysler invested in a transmission facility in Kokomo, Indiana, a facility which now covers 3.1 million square feet (please note that there are several facilities in Kokomo, our interest is in the transmission facility). For many years now this plant which originally was called Chrysler, and subsequently FCA Kokomo before being renamed Stellantis had what was probably the largest captive heat treat in North America. At one time it included 7-Three row Holcroft Pusher Furnaces, 6-Lindberg 36 X 72 X 36 Batch IQ furnaces, 6-AFC 36 X 72 X 36 batch Austemper Furnaces, 3-Holcroft single row pushers, 2-Surface rotary furnaces, 2-Seco Rotary Furnaces, 4-ECM vacuum nitriding furnaces, 30-tempering furnaces and several ECM vacuum carburizing systems. While the heat treat department is smaller than it once was it is still one of the larger in house heat treat departments in North America.

Number 6 American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (AAM), Silao, Mexico

In 2012 auto parts supplier American Axle & Manufacturting (AAM) formally opened a new location in the city of Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. The Silao facility was AAM’s second manufacturing facility in Mexico, joining the Guanajuato Manufacturing Complex. The opening of these facilities marked a real change in the firms philosophy as previous to this most manufacturing was in the USA including a large facility in Buffalo, New York which featured 5 single row pusher lines. Each AAM facility (including Poland) has a varied mix of heat treating equipment which includes pusher furnaces, batch IQ’s and Induction to name a few. Each of the AAM heat treating departments is very impressive, mainly because they are relatively new and obviously no expense was spared. AAAM globally can be considered one of the larger captive heat treaters in existence.

(Photo source: American Axle and Manufacturing)

Number 5 ZF Transmission, Grey Court, South Carolina

ZF is a German company which ranks amongst the largest suppliers of automotive transmission components in the world. The location in Grey Court, SC opened in 2012 and became a hub for ZF’s work in large-scale transmission production, including eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions. Almost exactly one year ago the company issued this press release about an expansion of the facility (an expansion which did not include more heat treating by the way), “Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen said it will invest $200 million to build another production line at its commercial vehicle transmission plant in Gray Court, S.C. The new line is expected to begin production in 2023. More than 500 jobs will be created, the company said. The supplier on Thursday said it plans to expand production of the PowerLine, an eight-speed automatic transmission for medium-duty commercial trucks, heavy pickups and buses.”

ZF is another company which made the decision to go with vacuum carburizing and the end result is that this facility has two ALD “Modultherm” systems in place with a total of 16 carburizing cells and 2 Pusher lines for annealing supplied by Ipsen.

Number 4 Linamar, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

In our fourth position we find a Canadian company, auto parts supplier Linamar. Linamar is a global company with many locations around the world doing heat treating however their largest heat treat department is in Guelph, Ontario. Roughly 15 years ago the firm made the decision to bring heat treating in house while at the same time deciding that going forward they would concentrate on batch processing as opposed to continuous. In 2022 we see that this plant now has twenty five 36” X 48” X 36” batch IQ furnaces in place combined with several vacuum nitriders and a rotary hearth furnace. Current plans include future additions to the heat treating department.

Number 3 GKN Driveline, Newton, North Carolina

In our number three position we find another automotive parts supplier, GKN in Newton, NC. While not one of the first to invest in vacuum carburizing systems they certainly jumped on the bandwagon after vacuum carburizing proved it’s value. With approximately 30 cells in operation this location clearly deserves to be on our list.

Number 2 John Deere Waterloo, Iowa

As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, forestry machinery, diesel engines, drivetrains used in heavy equipment, and lawn care equipment we are sure the company needs no introduction. Their location in Waterloo, Iowa would appear to be the second largest captive heat treat in all of North America with a total of 31 furnaces (we will qualify this statement slightly by saying that 10 of these furnaces are dual chamber which we are counting as two furnaces each). The equipment comes from a variety of furnace suppliers including Surface Combustion as can be seen in this photo.

Number 1 Ford Motor Company Sharonville Transmission Facility

We are quite comfortable in suggesting that the Ford Sharonville, Ohio Transmission facility is the single largest captive heat treat facility in North America. Ford was one of the first automotive companies to embrace vacuum carburising and the end result is that this plant now have over 40 carburizing cells in operation. It is worth noting that this facility has almost 2.5 million cubic feet under roof with almost 2,000 employees; “The Ford Motor Company Sharonville Transmission plant is a transmission manufacturing facility located in Sharonville, Ohio, United States. Established in 1958, Sharonville has long been the backup site for overflowing work at the Ford Motor Company Livonia Transmission plant. It is also where the Ford Crown Victoria’s transmission was once assembled for over three decades. With the Crown Victoria now discontinued, the Sharonville transmission plant currently overseas production of the 64140 6-speed automatic transmission – also known as the Torqshift – destined for the Ford Super Duty line of heavy duty trucks. Sharonville is where the Ford/GM 10R80 10-speed transmission is assembled. The facility also manufacturers individual gears for the 6R80, 6R140, 6F35, 6F50/55, 8F57 transmissions. These gears are then shipped to other Ford manufacturing plants like the Ford Motor Company Van Dyke Transmission plant and the Ford Motor Company Livonia Transmission plant.”

The Monty’s 50 Largest North American Commercial Heat Treats 2021

Since 1999 “The Monty” has been publishing annually a list of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America based upon annual sales, our 2020 list can be found at https://themonty.com/project/largest-north-american-commercial-heat-treats-august-2020/ This year readers will see we became much more ambitious and expanded the list to the 50 largest. Before we get into the list it is disclaimer time;

• The pandemic has wreaked such havoc on the heat treating industry that it is difficult to know whether to use 2019 sales figures, 2020 or estimated 2021 figures since the past year and a half have been (hopefully) a temporary aberration. In the end we used a combination of sales figures from the past 3 years on the basis that our interest lies more in the relative ranking of each company as opposed to exact sales figures.
• While the pandemic affected most companies on our list the pain was by no means evenly distributed. Hardest hit were those companies almost exclusively tied to the aerospace industry while firms specalizing in the medical industry saw little change and heat treaters related to the firearms business couldn’t keep up with demand.
• Automotive heat treating has been a roller coaster for the past 2 years-the largest roller coaster you can imagine. While demand dropped substantially in April of 2020 it came roaring back to life later on in the year, only to be sidetracked by the “chip” shortage for the past 8 months. Our prediction is that when the chip shortage is resolved those doing heat treating of automotive components will witness unprecedented demand.
• We would estimate that on average most firms saw their sales drop 10% in 2020, most are now slowly recouping these losses.
• The vast bulk of companies on this list are privately held which means exact sales figures can be difficult to find. So while we are quite proud of our efforts and consider this list to be the most accurate available anywhere we do not for a second claim that it is 100% correct.
• Over the years some readers have pointed out that our rankings are not always in line with MTI figures (Metal Treating Institute is the largest organization of commercial heat treaters in North America and they rank their members in each geographic region). We would concur with this for two reasons. The first is that not all commercial heat treaters belong to MTI which “skews” the numbers. For instance some of the largest commercial heat treater on the continent do not belong, this includes Bodycote, Woodworth and Advanced Heat Treat Corp. Second MTI tracks members in a particular region. For instance Specialty Steel Treating does not rank as the largest in Michigan which is where they are headquartered but when you factor in their facility in CT (a different region for MTI) the overall picture changes.
• We are always asked where the information for our rankings comes from, a very fair question. The largest on our list, Bodycote is a publicly traded company and sales figure are freely available. Solar Atmospheres, #6 on our list is very open and said that we could post their sales figures,  Most of the companies on this list did share sales figures with us on the basis that they not be printed, a very reasonable request. Further verification came from knowing the number of locations, the physical size of each, number of employees and the processes each offers.
• We appreciate the help and guidance everybody provided us with.
• All figures quoted are in US Funds.

#1 Bodycote 

Without a shadow of a doubt UK based Bodycote is the largest North American commercial heat treater and indeed the largest globally. Want to know exactly what the company’s sales are? As a publicly traded company their financial results are easily found at https://www.bodycote.com/

Bodycote is the world’s leading provider of thermal processing services offering heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing, surface technologies, brazing, and specialist processes with unmatched capacity. Operating an international network of facilities and serving a wide range of industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, power generation, oil and gas, construction, machine building, medical, and transportation. Bodycote’s thermal processing services improve material properties such as strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, enabling manufacturers’ components to work more efficiently with significantly extended operational lifetimes. 

Bodycote is a vital link in the manufacturing supply chain, its facilities can process a wide range of component sizes to exacting standards with reliable and repeatable results. With over 185 facilities globally, Bodycote’s extensive list of accreditations across the network demonstrates the consistent high-quality services provided to its clients.

https://www.bodycote.com/

#2 Aalberts Industries

Aalberts N.V. is a public company with its global HQ in the Netherlands.  For years, Aalberts’ has maintained a significant position in the heat treat industry in Europe with its Hauck heat treatment division.  Aalberts has continued that success here with its group of US heat treaters:  Accurate Brazing, Applied Process and Ionic Technologies.  The US group consists of eight physical locations and offers a wide range of heat treating technologies with the most recent addition of HIPing in its Accurate Brazing facility in Greenville, SC. In July of 2021 Aalberts acquired all the shares of Premier Thermal which operates nine locations across the industrial Midwest in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, generating an annual revenue of approximately USD 60 million with 250 FTE. Combined with the sales of their other locations we are estimating that Aalberts has catapulted into second position on our list.

www.accuratebrazing.com

www.appliedprocess.com

www.ionic-tech.com

www.premierthermal.com

#3 Paulo

Founded in 1943, Paulo is the largest privately held provider of thermal processing and metal finishing solutions in North America. Headquartered in St. Louis, Paulo operates six divisions servicing the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Southeast regions of the United States and northern Mexico. Paulo has been family owned and operated since the beginning, now the fourth generation carry on the business Ben and Pauline Rassieur started 77 years ago. The processes we offer include a wide range with some specialization based on the local markets while retaining redundancy for contingency planning. We provide the traditional heat treat processes via batch IQ’s, vacuums, and continuous belts.  In addition to those core services we provide nitriding, HIP, brazing,  zinc plating, and black oxide at select locations.

www.paulo.com

#4 Woodworth Heat Treating

The fourth largest North American commercial heat treater on our list is a company which operates 4 facility in two countries and specializes in large volume automotive work. “Woodworth Inc. provides a wide range of heat treatment services through our four facilities. We are currently located in Pontiac, Homer, and Flint, Michigan, as well as Puebla, Mexico. The company operates 40 large furnaces in North America. Woodworth Inc. has installed capacity to run 16 million + rotors per year. (2.2 million Lbs / Day).”

http://www.woodworthheattreating.com/index.html

#5 Bluewater Thermal Solutions

Bluewater Thermal Solutions operates 12 different heat treatment and brazing facilities in the United States and Canada and this makes us one of the largest heat treating and brazing companies in North America. Each location has different capabilities and equipment that allows them to offer specialized different types of processing required by their local markets. Bluewater provides thermal processing and metal joining to over 2,000 customers. In addition to specialty heat treatments and brazing, most of Bluewater’s locations offer traditional heat treatments such as annealing, hardening, carburizing, carbonitriding, vacuum heat treatments, nitriding, nitrocarburizing, normalizing, solution treat and age hardening, stress relieve, and many more.

https://bluewaterthermal.com/

#6 Solar Atmospheres

Solar Atmospheres Heat Treating Operations. The Solar Nation heat treating plants includes Souderton PA, Hermitage PA, Fontana CA, and Greenville SC, and have in total 357,000 square feet of plant space. This does not include Solar Manufacturing division which produces vacuum furnaces.  While the down turn in the commercial aircraft business due to Covid effected the company their military business along with their health care business remained strong and the company continues to be profitable. 2019 sales were $61.2 million USD, 2020 sales were $54.3 million and estimated 2021 sales are expected to be $55 million.

https://solaratm.com/

#7 Braddock Metallurgical

Braddock Metallurgical. Family owned Braddock Metallurgical was founded in 1953 by William Braddock. The company has eight production facilities mainly in the US Southeast, however the company also has a location in NJ and Puerto Rico. Braddock is a full service heat treater in that they offer virtually every process available. We are quite confident saying that they are the third largest family owned commercial heat treater in North America.

https://www.braddockmt.com/our-history/

#8 Specialty Steel Treating, Michigan, CT

Specialty Steel Treating, founded 1956, has been performing precision heat treating for more than 60 years. Since our inception, SST has always put quality and customer service at the forefront of our business philosophy. SST services numerous industries, ranging from but not limited to: Aerospace (military, commercial aircraft, space shuttle), Automotive & Truck, Industrial Bearing, Heavy Equipment and Tool & die. Specialty has facilities in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Fraser, Michigan and East Granby, Connecticut.

www.sst.net

#9 Nitrex​

Nitrex is a world leader in heat treating solutions with a unique integrated products portfolio composed of three divisions: Nitrex Turnkey Systems, United Process Controls and Heat Treating Services. Its Heat Treating Services division is an international full-service commercial heat–treatment solutions provider. With over 35 years in heat–treating, 9 locations in the U.S., China, Canada, Mexico and Europe, over 4000 unique processes, 18,000 lab test results and a team of skilled metallurgists, engineers and heat treaters, Nitrex is a solutions provider capable of going beyond traditional heat–treating services. Serving North American customers from its locations in Chicago-IL, Franklin-IN, Mason-MI, Las Vegas-NV, Montreal-Canada, and Queretaro-Mexico, Nitrex has established long term relationships with an array of OEMs, Tier 1s and end-users. While world-renowned for its nitriding expertise, Nitrex also provides a full suite of state-of-the-art vacuum, atmosphere, and LPC solutions to its many customers and will continue to expand its global footprint through 2020 and 2021.

www.nitrex.com

#10 Advanced Heat Treat Corp

Established in 1981, Advanced Heat Treat Corp. (AHT) is a recognized global leader in providing heat treat services and metallurgical solutions. Between its locations in Alabama, Iowa and Michigan, AHT offers over 20 surface treatments such as UltraGlow® Ion & Gas Nitriding, UltraOx®, Nitrocarburizing, Induction Hardening, Carburizing, Quench & Temper and more.

AHT had record-breaking sales last year. Approaching its 40th year, the company credits its success to its loyal employees (42% have been at AHT for over 10 years) and a focus on “exceeding customers’ expectations.” Over recent years, AHT has been recognized for numerous industry and employer awards including, but not limited to: Business of the Year, Employer of Choice, Top 25 Most Influential People in North American Heat Treat and more.

www.ahtcorp.com

#11 Thermal Process Holdings

THERMAL PROCESS HOLDINGS is a dynamic growth company providing critical Metallurgical services to virtually every industrial sector. Our strategy is to provide industry leading thermal services throughout North America from our expanding network of facilities. Currently the company operates 5 locations around the US. 

www.thermalprocessholdings.com

#12 ALD Thermal Treatment

ALD Heat Treat Services is considered to be one of the premier heat treat organizations in the world specializing in distortion control through its specialization in Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) and High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ). ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH., operates two facilities in North America; each ideally located in the manufacturing heartland of the United States and Mexico. ALD Thermal Treatment, Inc., located in Port Huron, MI, opened in 2006 and the sister plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coah. (Mexico), launched in 2008, have both earned the prestigious General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award for six consecutive years. ALD is proud to note that they are the only outside heat treat facilities in the GM supply base who can claim this honor. ALD also operates another state of the art facility in Saxony, Germany and are on track for a fourth facility in Suzhou China in early 2021.

We are the solution for superior quality vacuum heat treating services, with a strong international presence and worldwide operation which includes furnace sales and furnace equipment servicing offered by our world-renowned ALD affiliates. Our Quality System, automation controls, Research & Development Team, in-house Laboratory, and other internal processes are robust and second to none. We are IATF 16949, AS9100, and ISO 9001 Certified, and we are also ISO 27001 and ISO 14001 compliant. We are currently seeking NADCAP certification and look forward to servicing the Aerospace Community with the highest degree of quality and precision available in the market today. Our processes minimize the distortion of precision manufactured components, such as the gears and thin walled parts found in major automotive (trucks and off-road vehicles), energy and aerospace applications. Often, our customers can reduce or totally eliminate post heat treat processing resulting in total part cost optimization.

www.ald.com

#13 Rex Heat Treat

Rex Heat Treat is a family owned-and-operated business that began the year of 1938 in Pennsylvania. In its beginning, Rex Heat Treat supported the United States military efforts during World War II. Since then, Rex has also managed heat treating plants in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Through a combined 190,000 square feet, between the Alabama and Pennsylvania facilities, Rex Heat Treat is able to effectively serve industries, such as Mining and Drilling, Energy, Aerospace and Defense, and Transportation. With the installation of the world’s largest Vertical Vacuum Oil Quenching Furnace, Rex Heat Treat is primed for continued growth.

https://www.rexht.com/

#14 Dowa Thermotech Mexico

Globally Japan based Dowa Thermotech is one of the largest commercial heat treaters in the world so it is no surprise that it also ranks as one of the largest in North America. Their facilities in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and Bowling Green, Kentucky are both dedicated to servicing the Japanese automakers. It is difficult to say exactly what their sales are, however based upon what we know about their capabilities it is quite possible that the company deserves a higher ranking than what we are suggesting today.

https://www.dowa.co.jp/thermo-tech/en/about-tht/global/mexico.html

#15 Heat Treating Services Corporation of America (HTS)

Based in Pontiac, Michigan HTS is a privately owned commercial heat treater founded in 1978. The company has 4 plants in Michigan and serves the ferrous metal industries with thermal process and clean capabilities, which exceed sixty-four (64) million pounds per month. 

https://www.htsmi.com/about

#16 FPM Heat Treating

For over 40+ years FPM Heat Treating has been providing unsurpassed service and quality heat treating to the nation’s manufacturing community. We have assembled a leading team of heat treating practitioners and metallurgists who understand how to control the many process variables to satisfy and meet the challenging OEM and Military/Aerospace specifications. Some of our capabilities include Batch and Continuous processing of Through Hardening, Carburizing, Carbonitriding, FNC, Nitriding, Salt Bath and our Vacuum processing of Age Hardening, Annealing, Bright Hardening, and our patented Nitrotec Process. We are ISO 9001-2015 Certified at all locations and maintain Nadcap accreditation in our Elk Grove facility. Along with our Nadcap approval we have many accreditations and approvals such as CQI-9 certified, Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, GE Aviation, and Honeywell just to name a few. We proudly are heavily involved in the Metal Treating Institute and local Mid-West trade associations

https://www.fpmht.com/.

#17 ThermTech Inc.

ThermTech in Waukesha, Wisconsin is a privately held commercial heat-treating company that offers a wide range of services to a diverse and discerning set of customers. It was founded in 1982 by Charles Wiberg and remains a family owned business. We are proud to offer exceptional, value-added services to manufacturers in the Forging, Foundry, Heavy Equipment, Machining, Oil & Gas and Tool & Die markets. ThermTech is currently ISO 9001:2000 certified.

https://www.thermtech.net/

#18 Industrial Steel Treating, Jackson, Michigan

Industrial Steel Treating Company (IST) began operations in Jackson, Michigan in 1943, initially servicing the growing tool and die industry in mid-Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Today, IST is one of the largest and most modern production heat treatment companies in North America. Two separate, across-the-street facilities house production, prototype sample and warehouse-inventory management capabilities within 350,000 SF.  Ten truck bays are within a short distance from I-94 and US 127, 24 hour receiving and shipping ensure fast order processing. IST obtained QS-9000 registration in 1996 and today is ISO 9001:2015 registered. We service metal parts manufacturers with clean heat treat processing. Quick and reliable, our goal is to satisfy your requirements; we will not let you down!

https://www.indstl.com/

#19 Stack Metallurgical

Stack Metallurgical Group consists of four sites strategically located throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Stack specializes in advanced heat treating, aluminum anodizing and painting, and hot isostatic press (HIP) services. With a rich history dating back to 1946, Stack has become a trusted partner to demanding clients in industries such as aerospace, power generation, precision cutlery, oil and gas, and general industrial.  Stack has been privately held by the Ederer family since 1974.  Over the last 46 years, the business has grown and expanded into new markets.  The most recent expansion, Stack HIP, was launched earlier last  year in Albany, Oregon.

www.stackmet.com

#20 ETSA, Mexico

ETSA Group, Mexico; Founded in 1979, Especialidades Termicas, S.A (ETSA Group) is one of the two largest commercial heat treaters in Mexico with 350 employees spread over 6 locations,  Guadalajara, Celaya, Aguascalientes, San Juan del Rio and Mexico City. In actual number of furnaces the company has 6 vacuum furnaces, 4 nitrocarburizing units, 20 batch IQ’s, 3 mesh belt lines, 2 large pit carburizers, 4 bell type for annealing and 1 austemper line. ETSA is a family owned business and the current CEO is Mr. Mario Fabian Mendez son of the founder of the company. The company also has an entire division dedicated to rebuilding and installing furnaces.

https://www.especialidadestermicas.com/

#21 Hansen Balk, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Since 1955, Hansen/Balk in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA has built a reputation as a state-of-the-art provider of steel heat-treating services. Our 85,000-square-foot facility features a full cohort of best-in-class batch vacuum and batch atmosphere furnaces, capable of processing orders of all sizes. We offer a variety of services, but are best known for the breadth and depth of our vacuum heat-treating capabilities-including high-pressure quenching up to 15 Bar-as well as unique services such as cryogenic treating, flame hardening and induction heat-treating services. We adhere to the most technologically advanced heat-treating methods with modern equipment to ensure your parts meet the required specifications-from hardness tolerance to surface finishes. We also bring customers a deep well of metallurgical knowledge, formed over six decades of work on millions of parts.

https://hansenbalk.com/ 

#22 East Carolina Metal Treating Inc.

East Carolina Metal Treating was founded in 1976 by Charles Ramm with just a salt pot.  When Charles retired in 1998, he passed down his legacy to his son, Jamie Ramm.  Through a commitment to continual improvement and reinvestment, ECMT has garnered a reputation for providing high quality service with great turnaround and the best customer service.  ECMT has a state of the art metallurgical lab and maintains Nadcap, ISO 9001, AS9100, and Appendix B certifications.  Servicing the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions the company has grown into a 45,000 square foot facility located just outside downtown Raleigh, and ECMT’s second location, Virginia Metal Treating, recently completed a 20,000 square foot facility in Lynchburg, VA.  ECMT offers a full range of heat treating services including Vacuum, Batch IQ, Nitriding/FNC, Induction, Cryogenics, as well as Black Oxide and partners with the best equipment manufacturers to provide repeatable quality results for our diversified customer base.  ECMT is proud to focus on treating customers, employees, and all other stakeholders with dignity and respect.

https://www.ecmtinc.com/

#23 Parker Trutec

Parker Trutec is a North American subsidiary of Nihon Parkerizing, a world leader in metal improvement technology. The Parker Trutec Group operates 6 facilities in the United States and Mexico which specialize in metal treatments and products that improve the resistance to wear, corrosion and fatigue of metal components. The company offers heat treating processes such as Gas Carburizing, Carbonitriding, Salt Batch Nitriding and Neutral hardening at two of it’s locations, Springfield, Ohio and Guanajuato, Mexico (note all processes are available at both locations). The Ohio location alone has over 20 furnaces.

www.parkertrutec.com

#24 Continental Heat Treating Santa Fe Springs, CA.

Nadcap approved Continental Heat Treating is an aerospace approved heat treating company located in Santa Fe Springs, California. Established in 1957 in Downey, CA the company moved to their current location in Santa Fe Springs in 1969 where it has grown and prospered under the leadership of Mr. Jim Stull.

https://www.continentalht.com/

#25 Metex Heat Treating, Mississauga, Canada, CA

Metex Heat Treating Ltd. In 1983, Metex Heat Treating Ltd. was founded by Mr. Surjit Bawa to serve the heat treating needs of the manufacturing industry in the Greater Toronto, Canada Area. Since that time Metex has grown into the largest commercial heat treater in Canada and the company services customers as far as Montreal, Cleveland and Michigan. We specialize in Continuous and Batch Neutral Hardening, Carburizing, and Carbonitriding. We also have 10 state of the art induction hardening systems.

https://metexht.com/

#26 Accurate Steel Treating, Southgate, California

Accurate Steel Treating was founded in 1962 on a strong commitment to quality and customer service. In 1989, Accurate Steel Treating was acquired by a new management team and embarked on a carefully planned expansion program. During the next 25 years, new processes and equipment were added to keep pace with growing demand including high-pressure gas quench vacuum heat-treating, precision carburizing, and ion nitriding. In 2012, management decided, along with encouragement from several key customers, to enter the Aerospace market to be better diversified and capitalize on the many opportunities developing in this sector.

Today, Accurate Steel Treating continues to be the fastest growing commercial aerospace heat treat service provider in the western US. We are AQS AC7004 certified and accredited by Nadcap for a wide range of thermal processes and support services, including vacuum & atmosphere hardening, gas carburizing, ion & gas nitriding, stress relieving, annealing, aging, pre & post cleaning, oil, salt, water & polymer quench mediums, titanium processing, straightening and metallurgical evaluations. The transformation to a fullservice Aerospace Heat Treat provider accelerated in 2014 when we achieved our first Nadcap accreditation, we have since accomplished many milestones that we are proud of. 

Accurate Steel Treating | Home

#27 Sun Steel Treating South Lyon, Michigan

Since 1958, Sun Steel Treating has specialized in providing our customers exceptional quality, expertise, and timeliness. Whether it’s hardening alloys, carbon steels, tool steels or high speed specialty steels, our engineers know the precise metallurgical processes to apply. Sun Steel Treating continually strives to be the most environmentally responsible heat treating facility. 

In 1981, Sun Steel Treating pioneered the use of plasma Nitriding as a viable surface hardening treatment.  Sun Steel Treating has Trade-marked and registered this process as Ionitriding®.  Sun Steel Treating has also pioneered combining the benefits of Ionitriding® and Steam Treating to develop IonWear®. Sun Steel Treating continues to make improvements in equipment, technology, and processes to meet the diverse application needs of modern manufacturing. Sun Steel Treating continues to lead the field in both capabilities and quality.”

Ion Nitriding, Plasma Nitriding, Salt Bath Heat Treating, & Steam Treating by Sun Steel Treating – Detroit Area, Michigan – Sun Steel Treating – Detroit Area, Michigan

#28 Flame Metals

Flame Metals was founded in 1985 and operates a 100,000 square foot facility 7 days a week in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. With eleven integral quench furnaces (9000 lb max capacity) and two pit furnaces (25,000 lb capacity), the company is best known for its ability to process large critical components. Additional capabilities include continuous processing, vacuum, salt bath nitriding, neutral salt, induction, aluminum and car bottom.

https://www.flamemetals.com/

#29 Specialty Heat Treating, Houston

Specialty Heat Treat, Inc. is a family owned business and was founded in 1993 by Tom Moore in Houston, TX. SHT operates a 100,000 square foot facility on 9 acres and has grown to 42 furnaces up to 25’ in length. Customers include small machine shops, steel warehouses, OEM’s, and forgers almost exclusively servicing the oil and gas markets. Since 1994, furnaces have been in operation 24/7 with the exception of a few hurricanes.

www.specialtyheattreat.com

#30 Texas Heat Treating

Texas Heat Treating offers a wide range of heat treatments, testing and support services, operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week. CEO C.H. “Buddy” Crossley started Texas Heat Treating in 1977 as a small company in a 6,000 square foot shop. Today, the company has expanded to two large facilities, the first in Round Rock, Texas, and the newest plant in Fort Worth, Texas. We serve customers in the southwestern region of the United States and Mexico. With over 40 years of experience, we’re committed to professionalism, quality and on-time deliveries. We continually invest in modern equipment to ensure we can provide our customers with the highest-quality service. For more information about Texas Heat Treating, visit our website. 

www.texasheattreating.com.

#31 Century Sun Metal Treating, Traverse City, Michigan

You would not expect to find one of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America in Northern Michigan, however such is the case with Century Sun Metal Treating which for over 30 years have been offering heat treating services in Traverse City, Michigan. Century Sun (which is part of a larger group) has a great deal of vacuum and plasma nitriding capacity which they use to service a wide variety of industries.

#32 Thermetco, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Thermetco is a second generation heat treater founded by Mr. Andre Houle. The firm has over 100 employees and offers Carburizing, Vacuum Hardening, Austempering, Plasma Nitridng and Carbonitriding. In the past several years the company has moved to a new location, acquired two competitors and added a number of new furnaces. It is ranked as the second largest in Canada.

#33 Lake City Heat Treating, Warsaw, Indiana

Lake City Heat Treating in Warsaw, Indiana is part of a very small select group in that for years the company has offered Hot Isostatic Pressing which only a handful of companies can say. With roughly 13 vacuum furnaces and 3 “Hip” Vessels the company focuses on the medical and aerospace industries. Major shareholder is Mr. Bill Davis. Lake City has made our news section several times over the years, each time when the company was making a new equipment investment.

https://lakecityheattreating.com/

#34 Byron Products, Fairfield, Ohio

Founded in 1982 by Mark Byron in a 1 car garage, Mark has grown Byron into a very significant player in the Thermal Processing Industry in North America. The NADCAP approved company offers brazing, heat treating, welding and coatings all with a strong emphasis on the aerospace industry. The company operates out of 2 facilities in Ohio.

#35 Voestalpine AG

Voestalpine AG is an Austrian steel-based technology and capital goods group based in Linz, Austria. With over 30 locations around the world offering heat treating the company would rank as one of the larger commercial heat treaters in the world. While their heat treating operations in North America are relatively modest compared with their global footprint they do operate two very impressive facilities in North America, one in Canada and one in Mexico. We have no doubt but they deserve to be on this list. This photo shows their Canadian facility.

https://www.voestalpine.com/group/en/

#36 Thermal Vac, Orange, California

Founded in 1985 by Steve Driscol and based in Orange, CA, Thermal-Vac Technology is southern California’s premier brazing, heat-treating, and finishing facility offering first-class services to a wide customer base, including some of the most demanding in the industry. For over three decades we have been sought out by customers who require the most innovative solutions for challenging project needs, effectively helping to secure a position as a leader in the industry. With an original facility of 5,500 square feet and 11 active customers, Thermal-Vas transformed into a multiple location company with over 60,000 square feet of campus footprint. We have 80 team members, with 50 in production. Thermal-Vac is a family-owned business with second generation family leaders heading the business since 2012. Our team is comprised of many family-oriented relationships with over 25% of our employees being related to each other in some way.

https://www.thermalvac.com/

#37 Hi TechMetal Group (HTG)

Since 1943 Hi TechMetal Group (HTG) has been one of the largest commercial heat treaters in the Ohio, USA area. The firm has 4 locations in Ohio which offer Induction Hardening, Brazing, Vacuum Hardening and Brazing amongst other processes. President is Mr. Cole Coe, son in law of the founder Mr. Terry Profugi.

#38 Southwest Metal Treating Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Southwest Metal Treating Corp., (SWMT) Heat Treating Texas – Southwest Metal Treating is a family owned commercial heat treater in business for over 40 years run by Mr. Ryan Fussell. The company is full service in that it offers most heat treating processes including but not limited to; vacuum heat treating, carburizing, nitro carburizing, flame hardening, normalizing, stress relieving and Plasma Nitriding. Plasma Nitriding is a relatively new addition to the company in that it was added just a few months ago-a picture of which is included. The company operates out of a 50,000 square foot facility located on 7 acres. We feel quite comfortable including the firm on our list of the 50 largest in North America.

#39 Applied Thermal Technologies, Warsaw, Indiana

Applied Thermal is our second company based in Warsaw, Indiana to make our list of the 50 largest commercial heat treaters in North America. Like many of the companies on this list it is a family owned and run business started by Mickey Bradican-this is how the company describes themselves;  “Applied Thermal Technologies Inc. is a metal processing company specializing in bright vacuum heat treating and brazing of stainless steel and exotic alloys. Founded in 1992 to service the medical and specialty products industries in Northern Indiana and has grown to over 30,000ft² with international sales. Our specialty furnaces feature temperatures to 2800°F, levels to 10-6 Torr, all metal hot zones and extremely rapid cooling.” Applied Thermal is NADCAP approved and works very closely with with the aerospace and medical industries.

#40 American Steel Treating

Founded in 1989 by three Surface Combustion employees including the current owner and CEO, Mr. Roy Waits, American Steel Treating is located in Perrysburg, Ohio. While the company offers most types of heat treating covering a variety of industries we tend to think of them for high volume automotive work processed through a number of pusher furnaces. The company operates out of a 300,000 square foot facility close to Toledo, Ohio.

#41 Metal Finishing Company, Wichita, Kansas

Making our list of the “Largest Commercial Heat Treaters in North America” for the first time is “Metal Finishing Company” based in Wichita, Kansas, USD who bill themselves as the largest family-owned aerospace processing company in North America. This third generation company, formed in 1940 has a total of 9 locations in the US and Mexico, two of which are dedicated to heat treating, one for aluminum parts and the second for “hard metals”. Processes offered include Hot Forming, Straightening, Tempering, Normalizing, Annealing, Carburizing, and Carbo-Nitriding as well as Aluminum Solution Furnaces and aging ovens. This is in addition to the company’s plating, coating and NDT offerings.

#42 Zion Industries

Zion Industries based in Ohio is rather unique in that it is part of a very select group of commercial heat treaters, a group which focuses on Induction Heat Treating. “Zion Industries is an induction heat treating company that has been an industry leader since its founding in 1977. We provide high quality both in heat treating services and handling equipment for induction heating applications. Zion, like so many others, strives for excellence in service and quality. What distinguishes us is our primary motivation: Excellence that brings glory to God. We care about our customers, and are committed to the services we provide. Our goal is to meet the outsourcing needs of the manufacturing industry by delivering unmatched customer service and enhancing value for all stakeholders. Today Zion’s 100+ employees serve customers nationwide with facilities in Ohio, North Carolina and Michigan. We also serve clients from Pennsylvania (PA), Indiana (IN), Tennessee (TN), and Kentucky (KY).”

Induction Heat Treating (zioninduction.com)

#43 Contour Hardening, Indianapolis, Indiana

Contour Hardening, Indianapolis, Indiana. Contour was established in 1986 with the goal of providing a cost-effective solution to difficult heat treatment applications-specifically induction hardening systems. However the company is also known as a substantial commercial heat treater. Contour is located in Indianapolis, Indiana with a second location in Sialo, Mexico. While primarily known for their Induction hardening expertise Contour also offers gas nitriding and Nitrocarburizing.

https://contourhardening.com/

#44 Vac Aero, Canada

VAC AERO International provides heat treating and brazing of advanced materials for the aerospace and other high technology industries.  Specializing in vacuum processing, VAC AERO holds numerous heat treating and quality system approvals from prime manufacturers, with AS9100 and NADCAP accredited plants strategically located within the Toronto to Montreal aerospace manufacturing corridor of Canada.  The Oakville, Ontario operation is one of North America’s largest subcontract heat treaters of aircraft landing gear components while the St Laurent, Quebec operation is focused primarily on gas turbine engine and airframe components.

https://vacaero.com/www.vac-aero.com

#45 Winston Heat Treating, Dayton, Ohio

In 1959 Winston Heat Treating was formed to service the local tool & die market. Since then the company has always focused on moving forward with new technologies and in the 1970’s the firm became a real pioneer in vacuum hear treating which resulted in Winston becoming one of the first to achieve both ISO and NADCAP status. Like so many on this list this is a family owned business with David Reger acting as President and his father John remaining very active. We have watched Winston grow and more importantly invest and it is a fine example of a modern commercial heat treater.

Dayton, Ohio Heat Treating | Winston Heat Treating (winstonht.com)

#46 Metallurgical Processing Company, Warren, Michigan

Metallurgical Processing Company, Warren, Michigan.  Located in Warren, Michigan, USA Metallurgical Processing in Warren, Michigan, USA has been in business since 1954. Being located next door to Detroit it is absolutely no surprise that the company is almost exclusively dedicated to the auto industry. To take it one step further the company almost exclusively runs batch IQ furnaces offering processes such at carburizing, nitrocarburizing, carbonitriding and Ferritic Nitrocarburizing. Under the direction of long time heat treaters Jeff Pyne and Kevin Brown the company has been thriving over the past number of years.

MPC, Metallurgical Proccessing Company, Engineered Heat Treating (metallurgicalprocessing.com)

#47 Pinson Valley Heat Treat, Pinson, Alabama

Pinson Valley is owned and run by the Hendry family and is now in its third generation. Founded in 1970 the company has a very unique mix of capabilities including vacuum heat treating, atmosphere and some very interesting and unique tip up style furnaces.

Services | Pinson Valley Heat Treating (pvht.com)

#48 Akron Steel Treating, Akron, Ohio

The history of Akron Steel Treating in Akron, Ohio makes for fascinating reading. In 1943, the U.S. army helped Prosper P. Powell convert his garage at 654 Glenwood Avenue in the North Hill area of Akron into a mini-heat treating facility for firing pins. Operating in the secrecy of soaped windows and late-night deliveries, with overflow work conducted in the family’s kitchen oven, Powell launched a successful company. When World War Two was over Prosper asked the US government when they wanted the furnaces back. The answer was “they are yours now” and thus one of the oldest commercial heat treaters in the USA was born. Akron is still a family owned business and offers a very wide variety of heat treating.

Home (akronsteeltreating.com)

#49 Euclid Heat Treating, Euclid, Ohio

As are so many commercial heat treaters in North America, Euclid Heat Treat is another family owned business in this case the Vanas family. “The Monty Team” has had the opportunity to visit this facility a number of times over the years and have always been impressed with the variety of processes the company offers. “The Euclid Heat Treating Company was established in 1946 in a garage building at 1408 E. 222nd St. with salt furnaces and open fired furnaces. Since our inception we have expanded to include endothermic atmosphere furnaces, an entire building devoted to induction hardening, an array of vacuum furnaces including a vacuum oil quench and two 10 bar vacuum furnaces, pit furnaces, nitriding equipment and much more.”

#50 CRIO, Mexico

Commercial heat treater Crio is the third commercial heat treater in Mexico to make our list. The company founded their first location in Queretaro, Mexico in 2004 and since that time it has never looked back. CRIO now has 3 locations in Mexico which feature batch IQ furnaces, car bottoms, rotary hearth furnaces and press quenching systems. While the company does do a reasonable amount of aerospace work the backbone of the company is automotive work which means that the company achieved CQI-9 certification a number of years back.

Crio (criomx.com)

What Do Those in the Commercial Heat Treat Industry Get Paid?

These five case studies show how Ipsen’s PdMetrics^® predictive maintenance tool for vacuum and atmosphere furnaces saves maintenance technicians headaches by catching deficiencies before they become larger problems.

Case #1. Customer Finds Value in PdMetrics^® for Older Furnaces

While PdMetrics is usually installed on new furnaces to keep production running smoothly, a common misconception is that PdMetrics doesn’t belong on older equipment. One of our customers decided to invest in PdMetrics for their furnaces which were respectively 18 and 31 years old. The investment was phased in starting with the 18-year-old system first. After testing, the customer was satisfied with the software and decided to retrofit the second furnace.

As furnaces age, the risk and frequency of unplanned downtime increases significantly. During the same week, PdMetrics caught three major events for this customer, including an abnormal vibration issue on the quenching motor. The customer fixed these issues within a day. Early detection allowed the customer to avoid extended downtime and part quality issues. Without PdMetrics, these events are difficult to detect. In this case, PdMetrics showed a significant return on investment saving the customer about $60,000.

Case #2. PdMetrics^® Identifies Which OEM’s Hot Zone is Most Efficient

Recently, PdMetrics detected an open heating element on a customer’s furnace, avoiding excessive hot zone repairs and contamination and furnace downtime. This furnace is implemented into a fully automated line running three shifts per day, seven days a week. The customer was able to halt production to fix the problem.

Without PdMetrics, the open heating element could have remained undetected for at least one additional shift or until the quality team discovered product issues that failed adherence to their metallurgical specifications. Such a situation could have led to full work stoppages and parts recalls. This could have meant 24 hours of lost production and combined quality assurance time invested.

The average cost of unplanned furnace downtime is estimated at $15,000 per shift or $1,875 per hour. We ran a furnace downtime cost comparison with and without PdMetrics based on this particular open heating element discovery:

Situation #1: Furnace was running with PdMetrics; open heating element had been detected early on avoiding catastrophic failure

• Time to repair: 1 hrs
• Labor cost: $88 (1 hr. @ $88/hr.)
• Part cost: $175.00 stud and washer
• Unplanned Furnace downtime: $1,875 (1 hr. @ $1,875 furnace cost/hr.)
• Total cost $2,138 

Situation #2: Furnace was not running with PdMetrics; melted heating element replacement along with a contaminated hot zone

• Time to repair: 8 hrs.
• Labor cost: $704 (8 hrs. @ $88/hr.)
• Part cost: $1,155 (2) graphite heating elements, bolts and washer
•  Unplanned furnace downtime: $15,000 (8 hrs. @ $1,875 furnace cost/hr.)
• Total cost: $16,859

PdMetrics saved the customer $14,721 in total parts, manpower and downtime.

The Monty’s 40 Most Influential People in The North American Heat Treating Industry 2021

For 20 years “The Monty” has published on a biennial basis a list of the “25 Most Influential People in the North American Heat Treating industry”. The basic criteria to make the list is that the individuals named are in positions to influence the heat treating industry in North America either in terms of presenting new technologies, influencing purchasing decisions, deciding what type of heat treating to do or effecting current heat treatment practices. Examples could include pioneers in new forms of heat treatment, the fellow at a major captive heat treater who decides which furnaces to buy, CEO’s of major furnace builders, large commercial heat treaters or consultants who advise on what equipment should be used. In addition, to make the list individuals must currently be active in the industry.

Over the course of the past few weeks we received literally hundreds of votes covering approximately 80 individuals, at the end of the day we elected to change our list to the “30 Most Influential People in The North American Heat Treating Industry 2021” because of the excellent suggestions. We found it interesting the diversity of the list; 3 influencers at captive heat treats are included, 2 consultants, several commercial heat treaters are mentioned and a number of engineers. At this point we are going to single out two individuals for a special mention, Shlok Sundaresh, Engineering Manager – TS USA and Aymeric Goldsteinas of furnace builder Ipsen. Both received many, many glowing recommendations from customers and colleagues alike literally from around the world.

So here are the “30 Most Influential People in The North American Heat Treating Industry 2021”, starting with the most influential for the second time running, Mr. Stephen Harris, CEO of the largest commercial heat treater in the world Bodycote.

#1 Stephen Harris / Bodycote

Mr. Stephen Harris, CEO, Bodycote Plc. It is no surprise to us that the individual voted as the “Most Influential in the North American Heat Treating Industry” is Mr. Stephen Harris, the CEO of commercial heat treating giant Bodycote. Based in the UK (where Stephen is located), Bodycote has over 180 facilities in 23 countries with 67 locations in North America. With global sales approaching $1 Billion USD Bodycote is the only truly global commercial heat treater and the company dwarfs all others in their industry The leading provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services worldwide – Bodycote plc Stephen has now very successfully lead the company for the past 12 years, 12 years during which the company has invested in new technologies,  entered new markets and exited old ones. In short his decisions have had a profound effect on the heat treatment industry.

#2 Jeff Hemmer / Bluewater

Jeff Hemmer, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer at Bluewater Thermal Solutions. We were overwhelmed with votes for Mr. Jeff Hemmer, for the past number of years CEO, President and COO of commercial heat treater Bluewater Thermal. Bluewater is one of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America with a total of 12 locations around the USA. Metal & Steel Heat Treating :: Bluewater Thermal Solutions One individual who works at Bluewater summed up his importance to the industry in these words;  “I’m placing my vote for our CEO, Jeff Hemmer, as the most influential person in heat treat for 2020. Jeff’s steady leadership has transformed our company from a collection of individual plants/operations into a major player in the US heat treating market.”

#3 Shlok Sundaresh / HEF

We were truly astounded at the number of votes we received for Shlok from areas all around the US and Canada (an interview with Shlok can be found at Mr. Shlok Sundaresh , Engineering Manager-TS USA (HEF Group-North America) | The Monty) This suggestion is fairly typical of what we received about this interesting individual; “I wanted to share my recommendation for Shlok Sundaresh for his influence in the heat treating industry. I’ve personally worked with Shlok on a variety of projects where his wealth of knowledge helped engineers from several sectors including automotive, hydraulics, firearms, and specialized industrial (carpet and textiles for example). He has become the go to guy for multiple companies.”

#4 Mario Ciampini / Bodycote

We would have been very surprised if Mario Ciampini of Bodycote didn’t make our list and he is the third member of the “Bodycote Team” to do so. As a past President of furnace builder Ipsen and now in charge of acquisitions for Bodycote, Mario has had a very definite impact on our industry. Because of his current role in acquisitions his knowledge of commercial heat treat firms around the world is unmatched and in turn we would doubt that there are many commercial heat treaters who don’t know him. Mario is a true gentlemen and we are proud to count him as a friend.

#5 Gary Sharp / Advanced Heat Treat Corp

When Gary started Advanced Heat Treat Corp., in Waterloo, Iowa he had a dream, a dream that he Plasma Nitriding had a substantial place in the north American heat treating industry. He was proven correct in that Advanced is one of the largest commercial heat treats in North America as rated by “The Monty” Largest North American Commercial Heat Treats 2020 | The Monty This is what one individual had to say about Gary; “I would like to nominate Gary Sharp. Not only has he been very influential in the North American Heat Treat Industry (since 1981) when it comes to Ion and Gas Nitriding, he is very influential in his approach to servant leadership of his employees.  Gary will try anything if it results in a win/win for AHT and the customer.  In one instance we cut a hole in the roof of our Michigan location and rented a crane to get a shaft down into a nitrider! Talk about customer service.”

#6 Mike Klauck / Can-Eng​

It brings joy to our hearts to see a fellow Canadian make this list. Mike Klauck has spent his life in the industry and as President of furnace builder Can-Eng he has had a very decided influence in the industry, especially when it comes to the use of mesh belt lines. It is now over 25 years since Can Eng introduced mesh belt furnace lines into North America, a technology which was imported from Japan. Since that time mesh belt furnaces have taken over the fastener industry replacing older technologies such as cast link belt lines, rotary retort furnaces and shaker hearths. Can Eng is also known for their expertise when it comes to processing aluminum components. https://www.can-eng.com/

#7 Bill Jones / Solar​

#8 Aymeric Goldsteinas / Ipsen

Aymeric Goldsteinas, Product Development Manager, Ipsen, Rockford, Illinois. Prior to this nomination process we had never heard of Aymeric, we received vote after vote for him each more glowing than the one before-we have to say it will be a joy to mention him. Originally from France he has enormous knowledge of vacuum carburizing and was instrumental in introducing acetylene to the process. This was a typical vote for Aymeric; “I’d like to nominate Aymeric Goldsteinas of Ipsen for your Top 25 Influencers this year.  A career heat treating industry expert, few people have more technical knowledge of the vacuum carburizing process and predictive maintenance technology.”  Vacuum Furnaces for Industrial Heat Treating | Ipsen (ipsenusa.com)

#9 Dennis Beauchesne / ECM​

Dennis has been a part of the North American Heat Treat industry for over 20 years. Currently the General Manager of ECM USA, Inc., Dennis has worked with many companies within the heat treat industry. Not only has he been a pioneer for the Low Pressure Vacuum Carburizing sector – Dennis is a true collaborator within this community on many facets. Amongst his many accomplishments are these; Instrumental in building the LPC market here in North America: ECM USA, Inc was incorporated in 1998 and Dennis Beauchesne was instrumental in assisting ECM Technologies located in France with building a presence within North America. Beginning as a Sales Representative, Dennis quickly became a trusted employee and leader thus helping to grow the business in Wisconsin as it is today. The first to focus on LPC as a primary product: Dennis Beauchesne quickly realized that the future of heat treating would be lead by Low Pressure Carburizing and worked with the parent corporation to make connections in the following industries to grow their already impressive reference list: Automotive, Captive Heat Treaters, Aerospace, Consumer tools along with tool and die.

#10 Chris Otten / Schaeffler

Chris Otten, Schaeffler. A few people suggested Mr. Chris Otten, a suggestion which we are rather embarrassed to say did not occur to us immediately as we have known Chris for over 25 years. Chris’s official title is “Development of Production Methods – Region Americas” and as such he is responsible for making heat treat decisions for a number of Schaeffler facilities in Canada, the US, Mexico and Brazil.  Schaeffler’s captive heat treating departments contain almost every type of heat treat machine and process for hardening, but also heating and annealing for forging, and as part of brazing, joining, plating, molding and casting operations. Schaeffler delivers high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications, as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for industrial and aerospace applications.

#11 Geoffrey Somary / Ipsen

Geoffrey Somary, CEO Ipsen Group. Geoffrey has now spent almost 16 years with furnace builder Ipsen, one of the largest furnace builders in the world. Based in the USA Geoffrey has been CEO of the Ipsen Group for the past two years which means he oversees the company’s operations around the world. In this position Geoffrey has ultimate authority over product development, marketing and new technologies. Vacuum Furnaces for Industrial Heat Treating | Ipsen (ipsenusa.com)

#12 John Hubbard​ / Thermal Process Holdings

John Hubbard is a founding partner of Thermal Process Holdings, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Hubbard has over 40 years of industry leadership experience, most recently serving as CEO of Bodycote, a publicly traded (LSE: BOY) international thermal processing group that specializes in sub-contract heat treatment, thermal coatings, hot isostatic pressing, and testing services. During his time as CEO, he led the organization’s revenue growth from $579m to over $882m and expanded their operations globally. Prior to that, Mr. Hubbard served as President & Owner of Hinderliter Heat Treating Inc., a North American heat treating group that specializes in sub-contract heat treatment, where he led the firm’s growth from a $1m firm into one of the three largest heat treating groups in North America. In addition to Thermal Process Holdings, Mr. Hubbard also serves as Non-Executive Board Member for Cronite Innovative Group, the leading provider of high temperature resistant castings for the heat treating industry. Active across the heat treating industry, Hubbard has served as president & board member at ASM International, and has held leadership positions at the Metal Treating Institute and the Center for Heat Treatment Excellence. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering degree from Cleveland State University. Thermal Process Holdings | A Unique Partnership for the Future You Want

#13 Dan Herring / The Heat Treat Doctor

Dan Herring “The Heat Treat Doctor”. Dan is one of two industry consultants who makes our list this year. Dan Herring, who is most well known as The Heat Treat Doctor®, has been in the industry for over 45 years. He spent the first 25 years in heat treating prior to launching The HERRING GROUP in 1995. His vast experience in the field includes materials science, engineering, metallurgy, equipment design, process and application specialist, and new product research. Dan holds a patent (as a co-inventor), and a broad range of industries are made better for his consulting services in heat treating and sintering, metallurgy, operations, business management, sales and marketing, and technology. In particular, The Heat Treat Doctor strongly believes open sharing of knowledge and discoveries in the field will improve the industry: he holds a position as an associate research professor with the Thermal Processing Technology Center (Illinois Institute of Technology), has written four books and nearly 500 technical articles, and lectures frequently at conferences and workshops worldwide.

#14 Karl-Michael Winter / Nitrex 

Karl-Michael Winter, V.P. R&D Nitrex Metal. Even though Karl-Michael is based in Germany he has had a definite impact on the North American heat treating industry due to the fact that he is head of R & D for Nitrex Metal. His research and knowledge of furnace control systems, especially when it comes to nitriding make him one of the leading experts in the world. Karl-Michael’s knowledge of heat treating and his friendly manners have long made him a favored speaker at heat treating events around the world. He is one of only two individuals on our list based outside of North America.

#15 Fred Hamizadeh / American Axle & Manufacturing ​

Fred Hamizadeh, Director – Global Manufacturing Services – AAM Heat Treat & Facilities Process. Fred is one of 3 individuals on our list this year involved in the in house heat treating industry (the other two are Chris Otten of Schaeffler Bearings and Rich Ott of Linamar). American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) is one of the largest captive heat treaters in North American and Fred is the individual who ultimately makes the heat treat decisions for the entire company. This includes the company’s facilities outside of North America also which means Fred is also responsible for AAM in Mexico and Poland. To see the company’s heat treat department in their Guanajuato, Mexico facility is to see what all heat treat departments should aspire to. American Axle & Manufacturing | Delivering Power (aam.com)

#16 Terry Woodworth / Woodworth Inc.

Terry Woodworth, CEO, Woodworth Inc. Terry Woodworth took a relatively small commercial heat treat in Michigan- Woodworth Inc., and turned it into one of the 5 largest commercial heat treats in North America with 4 locations in 2 countries. Along the way he revolutionized the way brake rotors for the auto industry are processed, namely through Ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC) in very large tip up style furnaces. The end result is that virtually all brake rotors in the world are processed in a similar manner, Terry Woodworth and his team are the people responsible. Woodworth is a family owned business and Terry’s sons are taking over more and more of the day to day operations. His son Robert was also nominated for this list. FNC brake rotors rust free brakes nanotechnology oil and gas industry corrosion resistance woodworth inc heat treatment (woodworthheattreating.com)

#17 Rich Ott / Linamar​

Rich Ott, Linamar, Guelph, Canada. Over the years auto parts supplier Linamar has grown into a multi billion dollar company with in house heat treating departments in many of their facilities around the world. And the man in charge of these heat treats? Mr. Rich Ott. Rich is a long time heat treater working with both commercial and captive heat treaters and incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of heat treating. His experience includes companies such as Hinderliter Heat Treat and Bodycote. Rich’s responsibilities include sourcing new equipment, evaluating different heat treat technologies and trouble shooting-in other words if there is a heat treating issue at any Linamar facility around the world, Rich is where the buck stops.  Home | Linamar

#18 Bill Andreski / MetConsult LLC​

William “Bill” Andreski, President – MetConsult LLC. Located in the US Midwest Bill is one of two consultants on our list this year. A metallurgist by background  Bill works both as a consultant and also as a independent manufacturers rep for several industry suppliers. Over the years Bill has travelled the world advising on heat treat related issues and gained a very loyal following. Certainly we at “The Monty” would agree that Bill deserves to be on this list.

#19 Jim Oakes / Super Systems Inc.

Mr. Jim Oakes, SSi. Jim is President of controls company SSi of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA which is probably reason enough for him to be on our list. However in addition he is also President of MTI (Metal Treating Institute) and serving his second term. Jim has been in the industry for over 15 years and has made a real name for himself, especially when it comes to CQI-9 and Nadcap. Super Systems Inc. based in Cincinnati, OH. develops and manufactures products for the metal treating industry.

#20 Jim Demarest / North American Cronite

#21 Paul Oleszkiewicz / Nitrex 

Paul Oleszkiewicz has been with Nitriding technologies company Nitrex in Montreal, Quebec almost since the beginning and has very significantly contributed to Nitrex becoming a worldwide name in the heat treating industry. He has also been very active in helping to grow United Process Controls into one of the largest furnace controls companies in the world. Up until COVID, Paul could be found travelling the world on behalf of Nitrex and UPC and was always found at every single heat exhibition around the world.  

#22 Tom Gibbons / Bodycote​

Tom is one of three individuals from commercial heat treating giant Bodycote, the other being Mr. Stephen Harris CEO of the company who landed in the #1 position. Tom is based in Texas and is President, Aerospace, Defense & Energy, Heat Treat and Surface Technology at Bodycote which is one of two Bodycote divisions, the other being the AGI division (Automotive & General Industry). Tom comes from an aerospace background and has had his present position for over 7 years. Overall he has responsibility for 65 operational sites making him a very influential individual in the industry indeed.

#23 Jason Orosz / Nitrex

Together with the new Nitrex executive team, he is part of the next-generation leadership that will support the next phase of the company’s growth and development. A third-generation member of the Orosz-Dennis family, Jason has spent more than 15 years in the heat-treating sector working from the ground up – starting in his family’s business (where he was instrumental in doubling the size of the company’s facility, driving new business growth, and implementing new business practices to reduce downtime and increase equipment efficiency) to his current position as President of Nitrex Heat Treating Services.

#24 Ben Rassieur / Paulo Products Company

Ben Rassieur, President at Paulo Products Company. Mr. Ben Rassieur has made our list of the “Most Influential in the North American Heat Treating Industry” every single year without fail and deservedly so. Paulo is a family owned business and the second largest commercial heat treater in North America as ranked by “The Monty” https://themonty.com/project/largest-north-american-commercial-heat-treats-august-2020/ Ben has been with the company for 44 years and served as President for many of those years. https://www.paulo.com/

#25 B.J. Bernard / Surface Combustion​

Surface Combustion is one of the oldest and most established furnace builders in North America. For the past 9 years he has been President of the company after having spend some time at heat treating giant Bodycote.

#26 Carlos Torres / MATTSA

Carlos Torres, President, MATTSA. Carlos Torres has been with MATTSA, the largest furnace builder in Mexico for 12 years, the last two as President. Carlos is relatively young for this position (in years gone past he has made our lists of the “Top 30 Under 30” heat treaters) and his enthusiasm and energy are starting to take the company in new directions. Our prediction is that under his leadership the company will continue to grow and expand into new markets both geographically and product wise.

#27 Andrew Bassett / Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry, Inc.

Andrew Bassett, President, Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry, Inc. Andrew has more than 25 years of experience in the field of calibrations, temperature uniformity surveys, system accuracy testing, as well an expertise in pressure, humidity, and vacuum measurement calibration. Prior to founding Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry, Andrew previously held positions as Vice President of Pyrometry Services and Director of Pyrometry Services for a large commercial heat treater and Vice President and Quality Control Manager for a small family owned business. His company, Aerospace Testing & Pyrometry has grown from a small single person location to a multi location, multi person entity over the past 14 years.

#28 Bill Gasbarre / Gasbarre Products, Inc.

Bill Gasbarre, Sales/Marketing Director at Gasbarre Products, Inc. Although Bill has the rather modest title of “Sales & Marketing Director” at furnace builder Gasbarre a number of people pointed to Bill as the real driving force behind the company (please note that furnace manufacturing is only a part of Gasbarre’s business, the company also offers other products such as presses https://www.gasbarre.com/ ). Bill has been with the company for 48 years and during his time with Gasbarre it has grown into one of the larger furnace builders in North America.​

#29 Rob Goldstein / Fluxtrol

Rob Goldstein, has been working at Fluxtrol since graduated from the University of Michigan in 1998, currently serving as Executive Director of Product Development and Strategic Planning.  His focus is on helping to develop and promote new technologies and markets that will expand the field of induction heat treating and was recently awarded the title of Fellow of ASM International for his contributions to the field. He has been a co-author of over 100 papers and presentations on the induction heating technique, co-authored a chapter in the “Handbook of Metallurgical Process Design”, and two articles in the recently released ASM Handbook Volume 4C.  Rob works extensively with the ASM Heat Treating Society, especially in the area of technical programming for the bi-annual Heat Treat Conference.  His current research is in the areas of computer simulation, methods for magnetic flux control, development of new induction heating processes and optimization of current induction heat treating applications.

#30 Ron Waligora / AFC-Holcroft

Ron has spent 32 years with AFC-Holcroft, one of the largest furnace builders in North America. We have had the privilege of working with Ron for quite some time and can say he is a good man who knows his stuff.

#31 Roger Jones / Solar

Roger Jones has a passion for heat treating that is in his blood. He is the second generation of the Solar Family of companies with his two sons creating the third generation of the largest privately owned commercial vacuum heat treater in North America. Roger has been an integral part of building the various facilities, serving in many roles including CEO of Solar Atmospheres. Roger uses his over 45 years of knowledge in the industry by serving in various roles, including terms as president in both the ASM International Heat Treating Society and Metal Treating Institute (MTI). He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the George H. Bodeen Heat Treating Achievement Award and was elected to the Class of Fellows for ASM International. Roger has used his knowledge of Heat Treating to help educate others by writing and publishing several technical papers on Heat Treating and Materials Process as well as traveling to and teaching at conferences and local ASM chapters all over the country.

#32 Bob Fincken / Super Systems Inc.

Bob Fincken, Vice President Sales at Super Systems Inc. A number of people voted for Bob as one of “Most Influential in the North American Heat Treating Industry” and we at “The Monty” couldn’t agree more. Based in Ohio, Bob’s knowledge of furnace controls systems rivals anybody else in the industry. Over the years he has worked with 3 of the largest controls companies in North America and for the past 14 he has been with SSi, the past couple as Vice President of Sales. In addition to his experience in control systems he does an extremely impressive job of motivating his sales reps.

#33 Jeff McLaughlin / McLaughlin Furnace Group

#34 Andres Bernal / Ion Heat

Andres Bernal, President, ION HEAT. Andres like so many in the business was born into it, starting work at his father’s commercial heat treat facility at a very young age. While he still has an involvement in commercial heat treating he makes our list today for his efforts in developing one of the more advanced Ion Nitriding systems in the world. ION HEAT is a manufacturer of plasma nitriding equipment (in addition to other technologies) and since he introduced his products into North America a number of years back he has made a real name for himself in the field of nitriding. Plasma nitriding technology has typically come from Europe but Andres has shown that technology from the Americas can compete with anything on the market.

#35 Kyle Favors / Heat Treating Services Unlimited

Kyle Favors, President Heat Treating Services Unlimited, Inc. In the US southeast region few names are as well recognized as that of Kyle Favors, President of Heat Treating Services Unlimited and CF Thermal.  “More than 25 Years of experience in the instrumentation and maintenance of thermal equipment. Past Experience includes Control Systems Analyst and Maintenance Manager for a Large Commercial Heat Treat in the southeastern United States and Field Service Engineer for a (at the time) large instrumentation company that specialize in the heat treating industry. In 1998, Heat Treating Services Unlimited, Inc. (HTSU) was born in Simpsonville, SC, to specialize in the thermal processing industry. HTSU offers complete services for the industry from Refractory to ISO:IEC 17025:2005 Pyrometry Services and has grown to 5 locations. In June 2002, I started CF Thermal, Inc. to be a premier Technical Sales Rep Firm to promote the leaders in the thermal processing Industry to our customers throughout the southeastern United States.”

#36 Joe Fignar / Honda

Joe Fignar, Honda of America Mfg., Inc. Joe is not an individual who we know personally, however several readers suggested him as being a leader in the field of heat treating of automotive components. His title is Senior Heat Treatment Process Engineer in the Gear Department at Honda in the Columbus, Ohio facility. Joe’s job at Honda is to oversee and improve the endothermic gas carburizing process with hot oil quenching for transmission gears and he has held this job since 2018.  He has been project leader for the startup of a new production line for numerous 4WD components for HONDA and ACURA vehicles totaling several millions of dollars in assets and product output for future vehicle models. In addition he has worked on the ASM Heat Treating Society Board of Directors.

#37 Mark Hemsath / Seco Warwick

#38 Todd Wenzel / Throughput Consulting

#39 Víctor M. Calderón Cabrera / Caterpillar Inc.

#40 Dr. Edward Rolinski / Advanced Heat Treat Corp.

The Monty’s Largest North American Commercial Heat Treats 2020

Since 1999 “The Monty” has been publishing annually a list of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America based upon annual sales, our 2019 list can be found https://themonty.com/articles/largest-north-american-commercial-heat-treats-august-2019/ This year readers will see we became a bit more ambitious and expanded the list to the 30 largest. Before we get into the list it is disclaimer time;

• Rankings are based upon sales for 2019.
• The vast bulk of companies on this list are privately held which means exact sales figures can be difficult to find. So while we are quite proud of our efforts and consider this list to be the most accurate available anywhere we do not for a second claim that it is 100% correct.
• Over the years some readers have pointed out that our rankings are not always in line with MTI figures (Metal Treating Institute is the largest organization of commercial heat treaters in North America and they rank their members in each geographic region). We would concur with this for two reasons. The first is that not all commercial heat treaters belong to MTI which “skews” the numbers. For instance some of the largest commercial heat treater on the continent do not belong, this includes Bodycote, Woodworth and Advanced Heat Treat Corp. Second MTI tracks members in a particular region. For instance Specialty Steel Treating does not rank as the largest in Michigan which is where they are headquartered but when you factor in their facility in CT (a different region for MTI) the overall picture changes.
• We are always asked where the information for our rankings comes from, a very fair question. The largest on our list, Bodycote is a publicly traded company and sales figure are freely available. Solar Atmospheres, #6 on our list is very open and said that we could post their sales figures, Heat Treating Services in Michigan also gave us permission to post a ball park figure for them. Most of the companies on this list did share sales figures with us on the basis that they not be printed, a very reasonable request. Further verification came from knowing the number of locations, the physical size of each, number of employees and the processes each offers.
• We appreciate the help and guidance everybody provided us with.
• All figures quoted are in US Funds.

#1 Bodycote 

Bodycote is the world’s leading provider of thermal processing services offering heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing, surface technologies, brazing, and specialist processes with unmatched capacity. Operating an international network of facilities and serving a wide range of industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, power generation, oil and gas, construction, machine building, medical, and transportation. Bodycote’s thermal processing services improve material properties such as strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, enabling manufacturers’ components to work more efficiently with significantly extended operational lifetimes.

Bodycote is a vital link in the manufacturing supply chain, its facilities can process a wide range of component sizes to exacting standards with reliable and repeatable results. With over 185 facilities globally, Bodycote’s extensive list of accreditations across the network demonstrates the consistent high-quality services provided to its clients.

(Editors note; Estimated North American sales in 2019 were approximately $300 million USD).

https://www.bodycote.com/

#2 Paulo 

Founded in 1943, Paulo is the largest privately held provider of thermal processing and metal finishing solutions in North America. Headquartered in St. Louis, Paulo operates six divisions servicing the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Southeast regions of the United States and northern Mexico. Paulo has been family owned and operated since the beginning, now the fourth generation carry on the business Ben and Pauline Rassieur started 77 years ago.

The processes we offer include a wide range with some specialization based on the local markets while retaining redundancy for contingency planning. We provide the traditional heat treat processes via batch IQ’s, vacuums, and continuous belts.  In addition to those core services we provide nitriding, HIP, brazing,  zinc plating, and black oxide at select locations.

www.paulo.com

#3 Woodworth Heat Treating

#4 Bluewater Thermal Solutions

Bluewater Thermal Solutions operates 12 different heat treatment and brazing facilities in the United States and Canada and this makes us one of the largest heat treating and brazing companies in North America. Each location has different capabilities and equipment that allows them to offer specialized different types of processing required by their local markets. Bluewater provides thermal processing and metal joining to over 2,000 customers.

In addition to specialty heat treatments and brazing, most of Bluewater’s locations offer traditional heat treatments such as annealing, hardening, carburizing, carbonitriding, vacuum heat treatments, nitriding, nitrocarburizing, normalizing, solution treat and age hardening, stress relieve, and many more.

https://bluewaterthermal.com/

#5 Premier Thermal Solutions

#6 Solar Atmospheres

Solar Atmospheres Heat Treating Operations. The Solar Nation heat treating plants includes Souderton PA, Hermitage PA, Fontana CA, and Greenville SC, and have in total 357,000 square feet of plant space, 56 operating vacuum furnaces and 22 air operating temper furnaces.  This does not include production plant freezers, metallurgical laboratory instrumentation, including a new electron-scanning microscope, and metallurgical laboratory testing equipment. Many of the production vacuum furnaces are the largest capacity, certainly in the commercial heat treating industry. In addition, we have four new large vacuum furnaces on order for our plants, and a completely new vacuum oil quench furnace just out of engineering. 2019 sales and other operational data for all plants: Sales $61.5 million, 220 employees, dollars per employee $280,000.

https://solaratm.com/

#7 Aalberts Industries

Aalberts N.V. is a public company with its global HQ in the Netherlands.  For years, Aalberts’ has maintained a significant position in the heat treat industry in Europe with its Hauck heat treatment division.  Aalberts has continued that success here with its group of US heat treaters:  Accurate Brazing, Applied Process and Ionic Technologies.  The US group consists of eight physical locations and offers a wide range of heat treating technologies with the most recent addition of HIPing in its Accurate Brazing facility in Greenville, SC.

www.accuratebrazing.com

www.appliedprocess.com

www.ionic-tech.com

#8 Braddock Metallurgical

Braddock Metallurgical. Family owned Braddock Metallurgical was founded in 1953 by William Braddock. The company has eight production facilities mainly in the US Southeast, however the company also has a location in NJ and Puerto Rico. Braddock is a full service heat treater in that they offer virtually every process available. We are quite confident saying that they are the third largest family owned commercial heat treater in North America.

https://www.braddockmt.com/our-history/

#9 Specialty Steel Treating, Michigan, CT

Specialty Steel Treating, founded 1956, has been performing precision heat treating for more than 60 years. Since our inception, SST has always put quality and customer service at the forefront of our business philosophy. SST services numerous industries, ranging from but not limited to: Aerospace (military, commercial aircraft, space shuttle), Automotive & Truck, Industrial Bearing, Heavy Equipment and Tool & die. Specialty has facilities in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Fraser, Michigan and East Granby, Connecticut.

www.sst.net

#10 Nitrex

Nitrex is a world leader in heat treating solutions with a unique integrated products portfolio composed of three divisions: Nitrex Turnkey Systems, United Process Controls and Heat Treating Services. Its Heat Treating Services division is an international full-service commercial heat–treatment solutions provider. With over 35 years in heat–treating, 9 locations in the U.S., China, Canada, Mexico and Europe, over 4000 unique processes, 18,000 lab test results and a team of skilled metallurgists, engineers and heat treaters, Nitrex is a solutions provider capable of going beyond traditional heat–treating services.

Serving North American customers from its locations in Chicago-IL, Franklin-IN, Mason-MI, Las Vegas-NV, Montreal-Canada, and Queretaro-Mexico, Nitrex has established long term relationships with an array of OEMs, Tier 1s and end-users. While world-renowned for its nitriding expertise, Nitrex also provides a full suite of state-of-the-art vacuum, atmosphere, and LPC solutions to its many customers and will continue to expand its global footprint through 2020 and 2021.

www.nitrex.com

#11 Advanced Heat Treat Corp

Established in 1981, Advanced Heat Treat Corp. (AHT) is a recognized global leader in providing heat treat services and metallurgical solutions. Between its locations in Alabama, Iowa and Michigan, AHT offers over 20 surface treatments such as UltraGlow® Ion & Gas Nitriding, UltraOx®, Nitrocarburizing, Induction Hardening, Carburizing, Quench & Temper and more.

AHT had record-breaking sales last year. Approaching its 40^th year, the company credits its success to its loyal employees (42% have been at AHT for over 10 years) and a focus on “exceeding customers’ expectations.” Over recent years, AHT has been recognized for numerous industry and employer awards including, but not limited to: Business of the Year, Employer of Choice, Top 25 Most Influential People in North American Heat Treat and more.

www.ahtcorp.com

#12 Heat Treating Services Corporation of America (HTS)

Based in Pontiac, Michigan HTS is a privately owned commercial heat treater founded in 1978. The company has 4 plants in Michigan and serves the ferrous metal industries with thermal process and clean capabilities, which exceed sixty-four (64) million pounds per month. The company had sales of over $30 million USD in 2019.

https://www.htsmi.com/about

#13 Thermal Process Holdings

THERMAL PROCESS HOLDINGS is a dynamic growth company providing critical Metallurgical services to virtually every industrial sector. Our strategy is to provide industry leading thermal services throughout North America from our expanding network of facilities. Our highly experienced leadership team assures your product is processed to your specification, on time and on budget. THERMAL PROCESS HOLDINGS, your trusted thermal service provider.

www.thermalprocessholdings.com

#14 ALD Thermal Treatment

#15 Rex Heat Treat

Rex Heat Treat is a family owned-and-operated business that began the year of 1938 in Pennsylvania. In its beginning, Rex Heat Treat supported the United States military efforts during World War II. Since then, Rex has also managed heat treating plants in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Through a combined 190,000 square feet, between the Alabama and Pennsylvania facilities, Rex Heat Treat is able to effectively serve industries, such as Mining and Drilling, Energy, Aerospace and Defense, and Transportation. With the installation of the world’s largest Vertical Vacuum Oil Quenching Furnace, Rex Heat Treat is primed for continued growth.

https://www.rexht.com/

#16 FPM Heat Treating

For over 40+ years FPM Heat Treating has been providing unsurpassed service and quality heat treating to the nation’s manufacturing community. We have assembled a leading team of heat treating practitioners and metallurgists who understand how to control the many process variables to satisfy and meet the challenging OEM and Military/Aerospace specifications. Some of our capabilities include Batch and Continuous processing of Through Hardening, Carburizing, Carbonitriding, FNC, Nitriding, Salt Bath and our Vacuum processing of Age Hardening, Annealing, Bright Hardening, and our patented Nitrotec Process.

We are ISO 9001-2015 Certified at all locations and maintain Nadcap accreditation in our Elk Grove facility. Along with our Nadcap approval we have many accreditations and approvals such as CQI-9 certified, Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, GE Aviation, and Honeywell just to name a few. We proudly are heavily involved in the Metal Treating Institute and local Mid-West trade associations

https://www.fpmht.com/.

#17 ThermTech Inc.

ThermTech in Waukesha, Wisconsin is a privately held commercial heat-treating company that offers a wide range of services to a diverse and discerning set of customers. It was founded in 1982 by Charles Wiberg and remains a family owned business. We are proud to offer exceptional, value-added services to manufacturers in the Forging, Foundry, Heavy Equipment, Machining, Oil & Gas and Tool & Die markets. ThermTech is currently ISO 9001:2000 certified.

https://www.thermtech.net/

#18 Industrial Steel Treating, Jackson, Michigan

Industrial Steel Treating Company (IST) began operations in Jackson, Michigan in 1943, initially servicing the growing tool and die industry in mid-Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Today, IST is one of the largest and most modern production heat treatment companies in North America. Two separate, across-the-street facilities house production, prototype sample and warehouse-inventory management capabilities within 350,000 SF.  Ten truck bays are within a short distance from I-94 and US 127, 24 hour receiving and shipping ensure fast order processing. IST obtained QS-9000 registration in 1996 and today is ISO 9001:2015 registered. We service metal parts manufacturers with clean heat treat processing. Quick and reliable, our goal is to satisfy your requirements; we will not let you down!

https://www.indstl.com/

#19 Stack Metallurgical

Stack Metallurgical Group consists of four sites strategically located throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Stack specializes in advanced heat treating, aluminum anodizing and painting, and hot isostatic press (HIP) services.

With a rich history dating back to 1946, Stack has become a trusted partner to demanding clients in industries such as aerospace, power generation, precision cutlery, oil and gas, and general industrial.  Stack has been privately held by the Ederer family since 1974.  Over the last 46 years, the business has grown and expanded into new markets.  The most recent expansion, Stack HIP, was launched earlier this year in Albany, Oregon.

www.stackmet.com

#20 ETSA, Mexico

ETSA Group, Mexico; Founded in 1979, Especialidades Termicas, S.A (ETSA Group) is one of the two largest commercial heat treaters in Mexico with 350 employees spread over 6 locations,  Guadalajara, Celaya, Aguascalientes, San Juan del Rio and Mexico City. In actual number of furnaces the company has 6 vacuum furnaces, 4 nitrocarburizing units, 20 batch IQ’s, 3 mesh belt lines, 2 large pit carburizers, 4 bell type for annealing and 1 austemper line. ETSA is a family owned business and the current CEO is Mr. Mario Fabian Mendez son of the founder of the company. The company also has an entire division dedicated to rebuilding and installing furnaces.

https://www.especialidadestermicas.com/

#21 Hansen Balk, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Since 1955, Hansen/Balk in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA has built a reputation as a state-of-the-art provider of steel heat-treating services. Our 85,000-square-foot facility features a full cohort of best-in-class batch vacuum and batch atmosphere furnaces, capable of processing orders of all sizes. We offer a variety of services, but are best known for the breadth and depth of our vacuum heat-treating capabilities-including high-pressure quenching up to 15 Bar-as well as unique services such as cryogenic treating, flame hardening and induction heat-treating services. We adhere to the most technologically advanced heat-treating methods with modern equipment to ensure your parts meet the required specifications-from hardness tolerance to surface finishes. We also bring customers a deep well of metallurgical knowledge, formed over six decades of work on millions of parts.

https://hansenbalk.com/ 

#22 East Carolina Metal Treating Inc.

East Carolina Metal Treating was founded in 1976 by Charles Ramm with just a salt pot.  When Charles retired in 1998, he passed down his legacy to his son, Jamie Ramm.  Through a commitment to continual improvement and reinvestment, ECMT has garnered a reputation for providing high quality service with great turnaround and the best customer service.  ECMT has a state of the art metallurgical lab and maintains Nadcap, ISO 9001, AS9100, and Appendix B certifications.  Servicing the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions the company has grown into a 45,000 square foot facility located just outside downtown Raleigh, and ECMT’s second location, Virginia Metal Treating, is currently constructing a 20,000 square foot facility in Lynchburg, VA.  ECMT offers a full range of heat treating services including Vacuum, Batch IQ, Nitriding/FNC, Induction, Cryogenics, as well as Black Oxide and partners with the best equipment manufacturers to provide repeatable quality results for our diversified customer base.  ECMT is proud to focus on treating customers, employees, and all other stakeholders with dignity and respect.

https://www.ecmtinc.com/

#23 Specialty Heat Treating, Houston

Specialty Heat Treat, Inc. is a family owned business and was founded in 1993 by Tom Moore in Houston, TX. SHT operates a 100,000 square foot facility on 9 acres and has grown to 42 furnaces up to 25’ in length. Customers include small machine shops, steel warehouses, OEM’s, and forgers almost exclusively servicing the oil and gas markets. Since 1994, furnaces have been in operation 24/7 with the exception of a few hurricanes.

www.specialtyheattreat.com

#24 Parker Trutec

Parker Trutec is a North American subsidiary of Nihon Parkerizing, a world leader in metal improvement technology. The Parker Trutec Group operates 6 facilities in the United States and Mexico which specialize in metal treatments and products that improve the resistance to wear, corrosion and fatigue of metal components. The company offers heat treating processes such as Gas Carburizing, Carbonitriding, Salt Batch Nitriding and Neutral hardening at two of it’s locations, Springfield, Ohio and Guanajuato, Mexico (note all processes are available at both locations). The Ohio location alone has over 20 furnaces.

www.parkertrutec.com

#25 Flame Metals

Flame Metals was founded in 1985 and operates a 100,000 square foot facility 7 days a week in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. With eleven integral quench furnaces (9000 lb max capacity) and two pit furnaces (25,000 lb capacity), the company is best known for its ability to process large critical components. Additional capabilities include continuous processing, vacuum, salt bath nitriding, neutral salt, induction, aluminum and car bottom.

https://www.flamemetals.com/

#26 Contour Hardening

Contour Hardening. Contour was established in 1986 with the goal of providing a cost-effective solution to difficult heat treatment applications. Contour is located in Indianapolis, Indiana with a second location in Sialo, Mexico. While primarily known for their Induction hardening expertise Contour also offers gas nitriding and Nitrocarburizing.

https://contourhardening.com/

#27 Texas Heat Treating

Texas Heat Treating offers a wide range of heat treatments, testing and support services, operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week. CEO C.H. “Buddy” Crossley started Texas Heat Treating in 1977 as a small company in a 6,000 square foot shop. Today, the company has expanded to two large facilities, the first in Round Rock, Texas, and the newest plant in Fort Worth, Texas. We serve customers in the southwestern region of the United States and Mexico. With over 40 years of experience, we’re committed to professionalism, quality and on-time deliveries. We continually invest in modern equipment to ensure we can provide our customers with the highest-quality service. For more information about Texas Heat Treating, visit our website. 

www.texasheattreating.com.

#28 Metex Heat Treating, Mississauga, Canada

Metex Heat Treating Ltd. In 1983, Metex Heat Treating Ltd. was founded by Mr. Surjit Bawa to serve the heat treating needs of the manufacturing industry in the Greater Toronto, Canada Area. Since that time Metex has grown into the largest commercial heat treater in Canada and the company services customers as far as Montreal, Cleveland and Michigan. We specialize in Continuous and Batch Neutral Hardening, Carburizing, and Carbonitriding. We also have 10 state of the art induction hardening systems.

https://metexht.com/

#29 Vac Aero, Canada

VAC AERO International provides heat treating and brazing of advanced materials for the aerospace and other high technology industries.  Specializing in vacuum processing, VAC AERO holds numerous heat treating and quality system approvals from prime manufacturers, with AS9100 and NADCAP accredited plants strategically located within the Toronto to Montreal aerospace manufacturing corridor of Canada.  The Oakville, Ontario operation is one of North America’s largest subcontract heat treaters of aircraft landing gear components while the St Laurent, Quebec operation is focused primarily on gas turbine engine and airframe components.

www.vac-aero.com

#30 Thermal Vac

Founded in 1985 by Steve Driscol and based in Orange, CA, Thermal-Vac Technology is southern California’s premier brazing, heat-treating, and finishing facility offering first-class services to a wide customer base, including some of the most demanding in the industry. For over three decades we have been sought out by customers who require the most innovative solutions for challenging project needs, effectively helping to secure a position as a leader in the industry. With an original facility of 5,500 square feet and 11 active customers, Thermal-Vas transformed into a multiple location company with over 60,000 square feet of campus footprint. We have 80 team members, with 50 in production. Thermal-Vac is a family-owned business with second generation family leaders heading the business since 2012. Our team is comprised of many family-oriented relationships with over 25% of our employees being related to each other in some way.

https://www.thermalvac.com/

OEM’s (Furnace and Oven Manufacturers) Salary Guide

Commercial Heat Treating Salary Guide

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