ALD Thermal Treatment in Port Huron, Michigan, USA is part of the global commercial heat treating network of Hanau, Germany based ALD ALD – Heat Treatment Services: Our plants worldwide (heat-treatment-services.com) Their location in Port Huron, Michigan has always made our list of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America 50 Largest North American Commercial Heat Treats 2021 | The Monty and as we are updating our list for this year a visit was certainly in order. Coming soon “The Monty Heat Treat News” will have a full profile about the most recent updates to this facility but in the meantime we can share this photo of part of the management team in front of one of the recent process additions to the company. From left to right we have; Gord Montgomery, The Monty Heat Treat News, Kelly Peters, Vice President Operations and Mr. Jim Muenzenberger, Sr. V.P. Business Development North America.
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These custom engineered continuous atmosphere heat treating systems feature an increase in usable hearth area to provide high-volume processing when running products requiring carbon diffusion and lighter belt loading, as they will be used primarily for processing including Carbonitriding and Carburizing. The furnaces are capable of a maximum throughput capacity of up to 4000 lb/hr neutral hardening each.
Both furnace lines reportedly feature; a computerized controlled automated bin dumping and vibratory part feeder system, dunk and spray pre-washer, protective atmosphere-controlled mesh belt hardening system, oil quench, dunk and spray post wash system, forced recirculation temper furnace, in-line post cooling system, and CAN-ENG’s PETTM Level 2 SCADA system. By integrating CAN-ENG’s Level 2 Automation, the end user also has access to tracking of products’ status, detailed process data for continuous process improvements, comprehensive equipment diagnostics, cost analysis, and inventory management which is required by many demanding customers.”
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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.
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“The YAZICI TRANSFER MAKINA company decided to add a second NITREX turnkey nitrocarburizing system to its Istanbul facility as a way to increase the manufacturing capacity of tooling and machinery components for the company’s precision CNC machines. It started production with the new system in the fall of 2021, and is used for NitregR-C nitrocarburizing and ONCR in-process oxidation treatments. This second NITREX furnace is the same type as the first installation, a compact size NXK series furnace that became operational in 2019, simply bigger.
“In addition to improving tooling quality and performance, the NXK-812 is very economical to operate, if you take into account the low gas consumption and optimized energy efficiency. A solution that improves the company’s bottom line and reaffirms its commitment to sustainable manufacturing,” explains Marcin Stokłosa, project manager at NITREX Poland. YAZICI TRANSFER MAKINA chose NitregR-C nitrocarburizing and ONCR in-process oxidation for their combined ability to improve the wear and corrosion properties of alloy and carbon steel parts. “In the beginning, YAZICI TRANSFER MAKINA was relying on a very well-known commercial heat treater from the Turkish market to nitrocarburize the parts it needed,” says Utku Inan, Nitrex representative in Turkey. “But now, the company has moved heat treating operations in-house, purchasing its own systems to nitrocarburize metal parts, which saves the company on lead time and transportation costs.”
About YAZICI; YAZICI TRANSFER MAKINA is located in Turkey, with its main office in Istanbul. The company operates in the fastener, button, needle, and pin manufacturing sector. This family-owned company was established in 2003 and oversees two plants. www.ytmmakina.com“
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As we work towards our updated list of the “50 Largest Commercial Heat Treaters in North America-2022” we look at one company, Solar Atmospheres, headquartered in Souderton, PA, USA who has made our list every single year for the past 25 years. In our 2021 ranking we had this summary about the company; “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/“
For 2022 the company reports that sales are strong for the aircraft, space, defense, medical, petrochemical, and electronic industries and that they expect sales volume to be up approximately 5% from last years levels which would mean roughly $59 million USD in sales for the four locations this year.
Our rankings for 2021 can be found at https://themonty.com/project/5
The attached photo was taken at the Hermitage, PA facility and shows one of the most impressive vacuum furnaces we have ever seen, a 48′ carbottom furnace with loading at one end and unloading at the other.
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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.
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“If you are like most heat treaters, captive or commercial, the last 24 months have been some of the most challenging times in our history of being in business. Lost sales, increased costs, and a lack of qualified employees have plagued everyone in the heat treating industry. The good news is the economy is on the rebound, but not without some serious challenges ahead. With uncertainty looming in labor and overall costs, and as businesses begin to build back again, every company needs to be focused on six key elements:
- Sales Regeneration
- Cost Containment
- Quality Performance
- Workplace Safety
- Employee Recruitment
- Automation
Throughout COVID, the Metal Treating Institute and its wide array of over 100 volunteers made up of heat treaters, worked diligently to engage in a process to drive value and creative programs in an effort to help heat treaters maximize success and maintain their businesses. Because of these efforts, MTI has been able to provide many programs and resources that are helping heat treating companies, both captive and commercial, to not only navigate, but thrive in this current business climate.
The following are the key elements that MTI committees delivered over the last 12-months, and that every commercial and captive heat treater should be diving into to accomplish the six core goals above:
NextGen Committee: HeatTreatCareers.com – Recruiting New Employees
Finding qualitied people is the #2 challenge for any heat treater. The bigger challenge is being able to communicate, “Why work in the heat treating industry” in a way that is appealing to any prospective employee. In 2021 MTI’s NextGen Task Force invested several months to create a digital resource for any heat treating company to connect into their website that shares through video stories:
What is Heat Treating
The Impact of Heat Treating in Society
Why Choose a Career in Heat Treating
Ability Search Companies by State to Look into a Career
Heat treat companies can place a banner ad on their website that says, “Looking for an Engaging Career?”, CLICK HERE and then link to HeatTreatCareers.com. The website is a free resource by the Metal Treating Institute and every company is encouraged to tap into it.
Education Committee: NEW Heat Treat Quality Specialist Certificate
MTI’s Education Committee has put more emphasis on training by launching MTI’s newest technical training certificate, the Heat Treat Quality Specialist Certificate. With turnover at a high rate and not enough time for management to oversee everyone all the time, the new certificate provides a 360 degree view of quality, including blue prints, pyrometry, process, metallurgical theory, equipment, and hardness testing to name a few key areas. MTI has the industry’s most efficient online training system that provides an online corporate account to easily administer and manage your company training. It is 24/7, mobile friendly, and all digital. NO PAPER! MTI’s training also meets minimum requirements for auditing groups like Nadcap, ARP 1962, ISO 9000, and AS 9100.
Benchmarking Committee: Sales Trend & Quarterly Forecasting Reports & Webinars
MTI is partnered with ITR Economics to deliver monthly historical trend analysis and quarterly sales forecasting for heat treat sales and eight industry segments that drive heat treat sales. MTI delivers a quarterly webinar that digs into the numbers behind the printed report. This monthly and quarterly data would cost any company over $20,000 to get the same results. Through the work of MTI’s Benchmarking Committee, you receive all this business intelligence for FREE as a part of your general membership. The #1 value of these reports is that they create clarity for key management decisions in an uncertain future.
MTI Technical Standards Committee: Your Voice in Making the Rules
In a recent survey of heat treaters, 70% stated technical specifications play a major role in their quality department and profitability. With cost of quality being around 13% of sales, it is important for your company to have the inside information to stay ahead of the continual changes happening with Nadcap, aerospace standards, CQI9, and ASTM to name a few. MTI’s Technical Standards Committee, made up of 25 heat treaters and suppliers, meet quarterly and deliver a live webcast quarterly to keep your quality team ahead of the information curve on technical specifications. With MTI’s Technical Standards updates, it takes all the guess work out of your quality department and allows you to provide input into the rules you have to live by.
MTI Safety Committee: Resources to Combat High Turnover
One of the key downside to the lack of qualified labor is the temptation to deviate from the high levels of safety; taking shortcuts because staff is simply doing so much, given production increases with no new staff. MTI’s Safety Committee revamped its Safety Self Audit Checklist documents and created (4) template safety documents in lockout/ tagout, confined space, elevated work, and arc flash, all meeting OSHA standards. Most associations charge you for these critical documents. MTI provides them free because the leadership believes safety needs to be a bigger priority given current labor challenges.
The bottom line is, MTI’s programs are created by heat treaters for heat treaters. Don’t take on the daily grind and challenge by yourself. Tap into the powerful resources MTI has created to minimize uncertainty and maximize productivity, quality, and safety.”
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So why are the fellows at Sutton Tools in Thomastown, Australia delirious with happiness? Because they just read the June 2022 issue of “The Monty Heat Treat News” and they now know all the latest news and trends in the global heat treatment industry. Want to be as happy as Sutton Tools-you can find the June issue at June 2022 Issue
Sutton Tools has some of the largest vacuum furnaces available in Australia and “The Monty Heat Treat News” had the opportunity to visit this firm several years ago-this is our report; “In House Heat Treating-Sutton Tools Australia; A regular feature of “The Monty” is our articles profiling manufacturing firms which do in house heat treating, today we feature an Australian company by the name of Sutton Tools. The best background from the company comes directly from their website https://www.suttontools.com/
“Sutton Tools manufactures cutting tools at two sites across Victoria, both for the domestic market and for export. The bulk of general production occurs at our head office site at Thomastown, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with more specialised operations centred at our Maryborough facility. We also have overseas production plants in Auckland, New Zealand, and in the Netherlands. Sutton Tool’s state-of-the-art production processes begin with raw material preparation. High-speed steel is imported from France and Austria, as Sutton Tools has found the quality of this European-manufactured steel is superior to raw material sourced from Asia. This steel is processed to workable length & diameter, then turned, using computer controlled machines that are able to complete a number of turning operations in a single manufacturing stage.
While Sutton Tools supplies tools to a broad spectrum of industries – including general manufacturing, electronic manufacturing, automotive, medical, mining and power generation – most advancement in material technology it experiences are occurring in the aerospace, defence and oil/gas industries. The development of so-called ‘super alloys’ for these sectors is constantly pushing material performance boundaries. However, the tougher these materials become, the tougher the tools need to be to work the new generation of alloys.”
Sutton does their heat treating through a division by the name of Surface Technology Coatings located adjacent to the manufacturing facility in Thomastown, a suburb of Melbourne. The heat treating department consists of 3 large Abar Ipsen vacuum furnaces with quenching up to 12 bar and an Ion Nitriding system. While Surface Technology Coatings is dedicated to heat treating and coating tools for their own production they also offer commercial heat treating and claim they have the only commercially available Ion Nitrider in the country which we have no reason to doubt. Interestingly enough the Ion Nitrider is a “NitroPlas”, a brand or name we are not familiar with.
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