Groupe Thermi Lyon, the second largest commercial heat treater in France recently added to their gas nitriding department in the form of a second nitriding furnace from Nitrex. The new system has working dimensions of 1500 mm (diameter) X 2500 mm (depth) with a weight capacity of 4 tons which makes it substantially larger than the previous system-installation started just last week (early September 2022) with the unit in operation in the near future.
As you can tell from one of these photos Thermi Lyon is quite obviously a very strong supported of equipment was Nitrex.
THERMI LYON was established in June 1960 with the first location in Lyon, France (factory and head office). Today there are 8 plants in France 1 in Romania and 1 in China. When we last spoke with “Thermi Lyon” the company had over 200 employees and annual sales of over $30 million USD making them a very substantial player in the European commercial heat treat market. How substantial? You can find out at “The Monty Heat Treat News” list of the largest European commercial heat treaters; https://themonty.com/project/largest-european-commercial-heat-treaters/
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According to this press release the company has recently embarked on a stunning investment in new, state of the art heat treatment equipment. We have no doubt but that the founder of the company Mr. Charles, “Chuck” Wiberg (who passed away in 2020) would be very proud of how his family has continued to grow the business-Chuck is third from the right in this picture.
ThermTech: Expands capabilities with multiple investments in advanced heat treating equipment
Waukesha, WI, August 29, 2022… Exploring the latest processes and capabilities in the heat treating industry, ThermTech is constantly moving forward to meet customer challenges.. The company is proud to announce their newest additions that allow them to better serve a large, diversified customer base in the medical, aerospace, mining and oil, nuclear, and agricultural industries. Jason Kupkovits, Vice President – Sales & Strategic Direction, ThermTech, says, “We are confident that our new investments will further set us apart from the competition just as our quality assurance, turnaround time, on-site engineering and customer service standards have for the past 40 years.”
ThermTech’s Latest Investments in Heat Treating Equipment
Partnering with Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems, ThermTech has significantly increased their normalizing, annealing, stress relieving, tempering, and neutral hardening capacity through the acquisition of three new furnaces. These furnaces are now fully operational and represent over $1M in investments.
The first, is a dual zone, direct-fired box austenitizing furnace, with dual load zones of 60″Wx60″Lx60″H and an AMS2750 Class 5 certified operating range of 1400°F to 2200°F. This furnace has a load capacity of 15,000 lbs and, when combined with their flexible large batch quenching capabilities, has greatly increased ThermTech’s service for customers.
As a compliment to this furnace, the company has also acquired a large batch tempering furnace that has an AMS2750 Class 2 compliant certified working zone of 140″L x 60″D x 60″H with a certified operating range of 300°F-1350°F.
Finally, ThermTech has increased the throughput of their large batch integral quench furnace line with an additional tempering furnace. This furnace is 54″W x 72″L x 72″H and is also AMS2750 Class 2 compliant from 300°F-1350°F.
Executive Vice President of Sales, Ben Gasbarre commented that “Gasbarre is proud to partner with a reputable, growing company such as ThermTech for their large capacity furnace needs.”
Additional Investments in Vacuum Department, New Aluminum Line, & ‘Green Technology’
ThermTech has also added two additional Vacuum furnaces from Ipsen, USA. The furnaces have dimensions of 36” wide x 36” Tall x 48” long with capabilities of quenching up to 6 bars of pressure utilizing nitrogen or argon gas as the quench medium. These large vacuum furnaces are AMS class 3 (+/-15F) certified capable of AMS2750, along with exceeding conformance to many industry standards including NADCA 207 and AMS2769. Other common thermal operations that ThermTech’s vacuum department specializes in include annealing, hardening, stress relieving, tempering, aging, and homogenizing.
Beginning in January 2022, ThermTech boasts a fully operational aluminum line. With capabilities of up to 3000 lbs in a single quench, the solution anneal furnace purchased from Williams Industrial Service features a 60″x 60″ x 48″ working area. This line is capable of a sub-15 second transfer to air blast quench, a water quench range of 55F up to boiling, a sub-7 second transfer to water quench which exceeds AMS 2770/AMS2771 specifications, as well as load thermocouple monitoring during the solution treatment, quenching, and aging. ThermTech can provide the following processes including solution treatments, aging, stress relieving, annealing, water quenching and air quenching.
Brandon Medinger, Director of Operations – Aluminum & Austempering, ThermTech, stated that “Working with Williams Industrial Service has been seamless; from providing prompt customer service, to on-site visits, and importantly their attention to detail.” Brandon Medinger, also noted that Williams is “a technically capable organization that can handle a project like ours that had very difficult requirements.”
Another recent purchase includes a new austempering/marquenching furnace from Michigan based AFC-Holcroft. This state-of-the-art furnace can handle a single part racked in the vertical orientation up to 56″ long. The working dimension of the furnace is 36″ W x 72″ L x 56″ H, can process a gross load weight of 7,000 lbs and is capable of operating with salt temperatures ranging from 350F – 750F.
Dan Hill, Sales Engineer at AFC-Holcroft notes that “The UBQA system is an environmentally friendly ‘green technology’ which can be used to impart resistance to distorting, cracking or warping of heat-treated components”. Applicable processes include marquenching, austempering, and carburizing with additional washing and tempering capacity accompanying the new marquenching/austempering furnace. Although installation is expected in early 2023, AFC Holcroft has already made multiple site visits to ThermTech providing excellent customer service and offering out-of-the-box suggestions to best suit ThermTech’s needs.
ThermTech leads the region in heat treating sales and metallurgical innovation. The company’s long-term strategy is to increase growth in the Midwest and on a national scale. This includes adding more workers and integrating the use of a robotics handling systems, which is expected to be installed in late 2022.
ThermTech currently employs around 137 people, many of whom have been there for 10+ years. They strive to promote a positive work/home life for their employees which includes providing tuition assistance for those furthering their education. With pay averaging around $20.00/hour, their employees also receive full benefits including: an onsite medical clinic, chiropractor, massage therapist and health coach, who can all be seen during the workday.
It is seldom that an individual leaves the heat treatment industry for something completely unrelated-perhaps this is a testament to what a close knit, family oriented industry we are lucky enough to be involved with. However it would appear that Mr. Michal Frison who was Global Vice President of Sales for “Nitrex” recently did. After several years in the industry he returned to his previous roots which are completely unrelated to heat treating. Nitrex is known worldwide for their Nitriding systems and controls as well as commercial heat treating.
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“Aalberts has ordered the largest furnace from from the SECO/WARWICK portfolio – a horizontal retort furnace for high-efficiency tempering with vacuum purging, and the Group’s flagship product – a Vector® vacuum furnace.
The system on order solves the customer’s problem with hardening large dimension elements. The Vector, with a useful working space of 600 x 600 x 900 mm will significantly increase the efficiency of the current hardening plant, improving the economics of hardening processes. The retort furnace will significantly increase the processing capacity of the current hardening plant for tempering processes.
“You could say it’s a kind of jubilee. This is the tenth contract we have signed with the Aalberts Group. We have supplied vacuum and atmospheric equipment to the Group’s various European branches. I am glad that this customer recommends SECO/WARWICK as a solution provider within the Group. It is important that we become the first choice company for commercial hardening plants. On one hand, it is influenced by our product quality. On the other hand, we attribute our success to our very wide portfolio and our ability to adapt equipment to very specific needs,” said Maciej Korecki, Vice President of Vacuum Furnaces Segment in SECO/WARWICK Group.
“The last orders included Vector vacuum furnaces or the three-chamber vacuum furnace, CaseMaster Evolution-T. We delivered equipment to companies located in the Netherlands, Spain and Poland. And we are open to new challenges,” concludes M. Korecki.”
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The link below will take you to the September 2022 edition of “The Monty Heat Treat News”, for over 25 years the best known media name in the heat treatment industry. https://fliphtml5.com/gvbzt/kjac
First Ever Hip Cycle for the Aerospace Industry in Mexico
Finding & Retaining Good People in the Heat Treatment Industry, Part II by Josh Hale of International Search Partners
Hi TecMetal Group Acquires Universal Heat Treating-Invests in More Furnaces
Gas Nitriding With Deep Cryogenic Treatment of High-Speed Steel, by Jack Cahn of Deep Cryogenics International
High Energy Costs Lead German Heat Treater to Warn Government About Dangers to the Industry
All of this plus lots more heat treatment news. The entire “TheMonty Heat Treat News” Team looks forward to your thoughts and comments. Sincerely, Gord, Jordan, Dale, Anne & Charlene
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My does this UK provider of heat treatment furnace support continue to grow at an amazing pace. According to this press release the company has agreed to work with German furnace builder “Nabertherm” and quickly landed an order from Sigma Precison Components for a new furnace system. Want to know the history of VAS and how large the company is in terms of annual sales? “The Monty Heat Treat News” did an exclusive profile on the company less than a year ago-this can be found further down.
“Vacuum & Atmosphere Services (VAS), which has its base in Smethwick, West Midlands, will act as the UK and Ireland provider of after-care and other complementary services for the leading German manufacturer, which offers customers the widest range of high quality standard furnaces and customised solutions.
Nabertherm’s product range includes electrically-heated and gas-fired furnaces for laboratories and industry, all capable of operating at temperatures ranging between 30°C and 3000°C. Its furnaces are used for metals, ceramics, glass and other applications. From its HQ in Lilienthal, north Germany, Nabertherm’s engineering offer combines in-house manufacturing with individual project planning. Nabertherm produce standard furnaces through totailor-made thermal process systems with bespoke material handling and charging systems.
Nabertherm promote how their “state-of-the-art technology” improves temperature uniformity, energy efficiency, reliability and durability of systems “with the goal of enhancing competitive edge”. A trusted partner for leading brands, VAS was launched in 2000 by two engineers to offer vacuum and atmosphere furnace services and has progressed to offer the full service package for the heat treatment industry, ranging from bespoke new furnaces to spare parts. VAS will partner Nabertherm in offering their products and services to clients in the UK, complementing the German company’s network across Europe, China and the US.
VAS Managing Director Mike Long welcomed the opportunity to support Nabertherm. Mike said: “VAS will be working closely with Geoff Sargeson of Nabertherm UK to provide a comprehensive after care service, including servicing, repairs and refurbishment as well as calibration work and spare parts. “VAS have just secured an order for a new Nabertherm furnace for a UK customer, Sigma Precision Components based in Leicestershire. VAS will be assisting Nabertherm with the installation, the temperature uniformity survey and calibration.”
Employing 35 staff and providing furnace services for the likes of Mercedes, GE Power, Moog and Collins Aerospace, VAS is promoted as an engineering company run by engineers.”
“SEPTEMBER 2021; Vacuum & Atmosphere Services, Birmingham, UK
This past week part of “The Monty Heat Treat News” Team has been honored to be able to spend some time with Vacuum & Atmosphere Services of Birmingham, UK (VAS for short). The firm is the largest in the UK when it comes to servicing the thermal heat treatment industry and appears to know virtually every single company involved in the industry. https://www.vacat.co.uk/
Founded in 2000 the management team consists of 3 directors who have spent their entire working lives in the industry; Mike Long, Nick Houghton and Ian Scott. The company has over 35 employees who are able to provide pretty well anything when it comes to vacuum and atmosphere heat treating, service, installation, repair, spare parts-VAS even has a substantial offering of rebuilt equipment.
While the focus is on service, repair and install VAS also has new offerings which include datalogging, control systems and new furnaces through their long term relationship with Ipsen, Well worth mentioning also is the fact that the company has an interest in two other companies in the UK both dedicated to selling and servicing vacuum pumps, Vacuum Pump Services Ltd and VPSN Ltd.
Pre COVD sales were in excess of 5.4 million British pounds (roughly $7.5 million USD) and while the company like most others suffered a setback Mike Long was rather proud to say that they are now almost back at pre COVID levels. We had the chance to ask Mike how the pandemic had affected the company and he had this very interesting comment; “we were extremely fortunate that just prior to the onset of COVID, we hired a full time Quality, Health & Safety Director, a fellow by the name of Andy Nisbet. Andy’s experience in health and safety proved to be an enormous asset to us when navigating the new health and safety regulations and improving quality throughout the business”.
And what does the future hold? VAS is very much a family business, a business which includes Mike’s two sons Aaron and James who both work full time in the business. With their strong growth pattern, close family ties and an agreed succession plan in place, we expect the company to continue to grow and prosper in the future.
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To many North American heat treaters a better known name might be that of “Custom Electric” of Michigan which was acquired by Sandvik back in 2018-details can be found below. We will also leave you with this picture of Kanthal, Sweden as seen by part of “The Monty Heat Treat News” team. We would venture to guess that at the end of the day not a single thing will change at either Kanthal or Custom Electric.
AUGUST 2018; “Sandvik acquires privately owned Custom Electric Manufacturing Co., headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, USA. The company is a leading manufacturer of original equipment and replacement heating elements on the North American market. “Through this acquisition we add further strength to our leading position in industrial heating systems. I am pleased to welcome the Custom Electric Manufacturing team into Kanthal and Sandvik Materials Technology”, says Göran Björkman, President, Sandvik Materials Technology. In 2017, the company had revenues of 5.2 million USD, approximately 20 employees and a strong sales network in North America. Custom Electric Manufacturing will continue to go to market under its own brand. The transaction was closed today, and the business will be reported as part of the Product Area Kanthal within business area Sandvik Materials Technology. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The deal is accretive to earnings per share from the start. Stockholm, 1 August 2018”
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Going back roughly 20 years Jason Jossart(who was with Waukee Flowmeters at the time) had a better idea-an idea which lead to him forming Atmosphere Engineering Company of Wisconsin, USA. The idea of course was the “Endoinjector” a truly brilliant idea which matched the output of an endothermic gas generator with demand from the heat treating furnnaces. The result was a dramatic decrease in the amount of natural used which in some cases meant an ROI of less than 1 year. The idea was such a sucess that virtually every single new endo generator produced around the world these days utilizes this technology. Approximately 2017 Atmosphere Engineering Company was aquired by the UPC division of Nitrex where Jason was VP of Operations.
Recently “The Monty Heat Treat News” has been hearing rumors that Jason has moved on and is now located in North Carolina and involved in a new venture. The rumor appears to be correct as Jason is now Vice President of Technical Services at “Obsidian Technical Group” in North Carolina. While we have no details whatsoever about the company we have been lead to believe that it will be offering products to the heat treatment industry which of course would be no surprise. We will keep you posted.
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The world’s largest heat treater Bodycote offers heat treating services around the world- their locations are as varied as the heat treatment industry itself is. A very intriguing Bodycote facility which “The Monty Heat Treat News” has been able to visit twice over the years is in Derby, UK, what makes this location so interesting is that it represents an almost 35 year partnership with Rolls Royce.
In 1997 Bodycote set up a brand-new heat treating facility within the grounds of the Rolls Royce jet engine facility in Derby, UK with the intent that Bodycote would handle all of Rolls Royce’s heat treating requirements. Almost a quarter century later, this can be considered a real success story for both parties.
This facility, shown in one of the photos below is one of two Bodycote locations in the United Kingdom largely dedicated to Rolls Royce, the second is located in Rotherham. Incidentally, if you look closely at the architecture of the building, you will see that it was designed to resemble an engine turbine blade. The Derby site has the largest installed vacuum heat treat capacity available in the UK heat treatment market.
Derby contains two rows of horizontal vacuum furnaces opposite each other and a complementary HIPPING Unit at the end of the building, 6 of the 10 furnaces have 10 bar quenching capability in both Nitrogen and Argon . While it is certainly true that this facility was set up for Rolls Royce; the facility also provides advanced solutions for customers in the medical and power generation industries.
A long-stated goal of Bodycote’s is to partner with manufacturers with the intent of handling all of their thermal processing requirements. There can be few better examples than the Bodycote facility in Rolls Royce Derby, UK.
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The offices of WG Montgomery Ltd. (“The Monty Heat Treat News”) will be closed Monday September 5, 2022 due to the North American Labor Day Holiday. Regular news items will resume Tuesday September 6. We wish everybody a great Labor Day holiday.
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Executive Vice President of Sales, Ben Gasbarre commented that “Gasbarre is proud to partner with a reputable, growing company such as ThermTech for their large capacity furnace needs.”
The link below will take you to the September 2022 edition of “The Monty Heat Treat News”, for over 25 years the best known media name in the heat treatment industry. 
