Close up plastic injection mold for mass production (manufacturing process for industrial work)
“The Monty Heat Treat News” has long maintained that the #1 reason manufacturers bring heat treatment in house (as opposed to sending it out to a commercial heat treater) has very little to do with costs and a lot to do with lead times and control over the process. This is yet one more example.
“BTOMEC Ferramentaria, one of Latin America’s leading injection mold producers, has invested in a single-chamber Vector vacuum furnace with high-pressure gas quenching (15 bar abs.). This is the first order from the Brazilian manufacturer placed with SECO/WARWICK, a leader in vacuum heat treatment technology, marking an important step towards full independence and integration of in-house processes.
Established in 1985 in Joinville, Brazil, BTOMEC has long supplied multi-cavity molds for the global cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food and packaging industries. The new investment in the SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnace is a response to growing production needs. Until now, BTOMEC relied on external hardening services, but limitations in availability, long lead times, rising costs and the need for independence prompted them to create their own heat treatment department.
“This is a trend we see more and more frequently. At a certain production scale, many industrial partners begin to consider creating their own small hardening facility. Such an investment means independence from external entities and, above all, full control over the production process and its costs. SECO/WARWICK’s experience in developing technology for both small and large hardening plants, as well as extensive cooperation with entities starting their own heat treatment processes, makes us the technological partner of choice,” said Maciej Korecki, Vice President of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.”
July 7, 2025 “The Monty” had an exclusive news item about a manufacturer on the US West Coast updating their heat treat department with 2 new electrically heated batch IQ furnaces with working dimensions of 36″ X 48″ X 36″ (our original story is below)-we can now provide an update to this story.
The furnaces and ancillary equipment is now in the final stages of construction with the furnaces “bricked”, quench elevators functioning, alloy components installed and electrical cabinets nearly completed. According to “Ryan McLaughlin” of “McLaughlin Furnace Group” the furnaces are nearing completion and he expects them to ship on time in the near future.
These photos tell the story (the one photo shows Ryan along with Ben Tackett standing in front of one of the units).
“JULY 7, 2025 POSTING; USA West Coast Manufacturer Upgrades In-House Heat Treat Department; A specialized manufacturer on the US West Coast very recently signed purchase orders for a substantial upgrade to their existing in-house heat treat department. “McLaughlin Furnace Group” of Avilla, Indiana will be providing two “Tru-Carb” electrically heated batch IQ furnaces with working dimensions of 36″ X 48″ X 36″, associated tempers, washer, charge car and “TRU-MIX™” Endothermic Generator. Ryan McLaughlin of McLaughlin Furnace Group had this to say;
“Our Tru Carb furnaces offer larger load capacity, improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs over older, more traditional batch IQ designs. The fact that we won this order against aggressive competition proves that we can compete and win against any other furnace builders in the world when it comes to batch IQ furnaces.”
Delivery is expected late this year. This photo shows a “Tru Carb” installation at a Bodycote (the world’s largest commercial heat treater) in Syracuse, NY, USA.”
From time to time over the years “The Monty Heat Treat News” plays the “What’s it Worth” game where we look at a used furnace and give our readers an idea about what it is worth in current market conditions.
Today we look at a complete furnace line located at a captive heat treater in the US Midwest. The line consists of the following;
The vendor in this case is trying to decide whether this line is worth marketing or straight off to the “scrappers.”
The plus is that this is a complete line with updated controls, in good condition and ready to go. The minus is the brand (Pacific Scientific-as far as we know the company disappeared long ago) and the size. 24″ X 36″ X 24″ is far too small a size for anybody other than a captive heat treater with small lot sizes or a commercial heat treater in a market with small lot sizes such as the western and north eastern areas of the USA and British Colombia, Canada.
“The Monty” has a strong idea about the value of this furnace line but we will leave it up to you, our readers-make an offer or scrap? Cast your vote with Jordan Montgomery; [email protected]. Subject line Keep it or Scrap it-yes it has value; no call, in the scrap guys. We will let you know next Monday.
Back in March of 2025 it was announced that auto parts supplier “Hirschvogel” would be installing a new, automated heat treat line provided by “Aichelin Group” of Austria (the original news item can be found below).
Recently the line entered full production with the ability to 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗸𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵. This photo shows the completed line;
“MARCH 2025 POST; German Auto Part Supplier to Receive New Furnace System; “Hirschvogel Group” of Germany is known as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of forged and machined steel and aluminum components, primarily for the automotive industry-as such they have a great deal of in house heat treating capacity.
The company recently accepted a double-flow chamber furnace (heating capacity: 365 kW), a preheating furnace, an endogas generator (endomat) & comprehensive peripheral equipment. All of the equipment is being provided by “Aichelin Group” of Austria and was built in their “Bosio” facility in Slovenia.
“The new, electrically heated system has Kanthal heating elements which stands for efficiency, durability and future-proofing. The furnace handles up to 2,200 kg (roughly 5,000 pounds) per batch.”
The attached photos show the “Hirschvogel” team accepting the completed furnace line.
Earlier this year Mr. Gord Montgomery of “The Monty Heat Treat News”visited the “Bosio” facility in Slovenia and the result was this summary “Furnace Builder Shows Off Newest Facility”. Interestingly enough if you look closely at the photos in our original article you can see this furnace during final assembly along with members of the “AIchelin” team including the CEO of the company Mr. Christian Grosspointer.
“Cherry Valley, ILLINOIS (February 12, 2026) – Ipsen USA has received a new equipment order from Urschel Laboratories, Inc., a global manufacturer of precision food cutting equipment headquartered in Chesterton, Indiana. The order includes a MetalMaster HR 54×48 2-bar vacuum furnace, which will replace an Ipsen furnace that has been in continuous production since 1986.
The new furnace will be used to heat treat 400-series stainless steel knife systems that are critical to Urschel’s food processing machinery. The replacement of a 40-year-old Ipsen furnace highlights both the longevity of Ipsen equipment and the long-standing trust between the two companies.
This purchase marks Urschel’s sixth Ipsen vacuum furnace. In addition to the new MetalMaster, Urschel currently operates two TITAN? LT6 2-bar vacuum furnaces and another MetalMaster HR 54×48 2-bar furnace purchased in 2014. Ipsen furnaces play a central role in Urschel’s heat-treating operations, supporting annealing, hardening, tempering, and brazing processes required for high-performance, food-grade cutting components.
Ipsen and Urschel share a relationship spanning 40 years, built on consistent performance, reliability, and technical support. Urschel’s continued investment in Ipsen technology reflects a long-term strategy focused on operational efficiency, product quality, and equipment longevity.
“This order reflects the durability of Ipsen furnaces and the long-term confidence customers place in our technology,” said Ipsen Sales Director Matt Clinite.
Every Urschel cutting machine manufactured worldwide is produced at the company’s Chesterton facility, where Ipsen vacuum furnaces have supported production demands for decades. As Urschel continues to serve customers in more than 130 countries, Ipsen remains a trusted partner in delivering the heat-treating precision required for their products.
“St. Marys, PA — Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems (Gasbarre) has been selected by a long-standing customer to supply a new 24-inch belt, 4-zone brazing furnace supporting automotive component production. The system will be installed at an established Midwest manufacturing facility as the customer expands capacity to meet increased production requirements.
The order represents the customer’s third Gasbarre brazing furnace, building on the success of two existing installations currently supporting day-to-day operations. The new furnace will be used for stainless steel brazing of automotive parts, including braking and fluid line components, where consistent thermal processing and atmosphere control are essential to quality and reliability.
Designed for controlled-atmosphere processing, the system will operate in a nitrogen/hydrogen atmosphere and is engineered to support repeatable brazing results, stable production flow, and operator-friendly use.
The customer selected Gasbarre based on the proven design and performance of its existing furnaces. Prior installations have delivered dependable uptime with minimal issues, while maintaining a clean, accessible layout that operators find easy to use — a key factor when adding capacity in a high-output environment.
“When a customer returns for additional capacity, it’s the strongest validation of reliability and long-term value,” said Ben Gasbarre. “This order reflects the trust we work to earn through durable equipment, repeatable processing, and responsive support.”
Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems designs and manufactures engineered thermal processing equipment for demanding industrial applications.
“NUTEC Group Chairman Genaro Cueva and CEO Daniel Llaguno announced that with immediate effect Rodrigo González has been appointed President of NUTEC Bickley, the internationally renowned manufacturer of furnaces, kilns, ovens and leading-edge combustion and control systems. Rodrigo has been with NUTEC Bickley for 24 years and has served in a number of senior positions, most recently as Vice President, Engineering & Project Operations.
He said: “I’m honored to be appointed President of the company. I want to thank Genaro Cueva and Daniel Llaguno for their trust and for the opportunity to take on this responsibility. After more than two decades with the organization, working across engineering, operations, projects, and commercial roles, I know this business deeply and believe strongly in our people and our capabilities.
“My focus will be on serving our customers, executing with excellence, and continuing to build a strong, committed team that delivers sustainable results. I’m grateful to work alongside such a talented group of people and I look forward to the next chapter together.”
Daniel Llaguno commented: “Given his capabilities, commitment, and adherence to NUTEC’s values, I am certain that Rodrigo will successfully lead NUTEC Bickley into the future. He is completely aligned with our ethos, which sees our continued strong commitment to our mission and our business philosophy. My sincere congratulations go to Rodrigo – I am confident that he has everyone’s full support in achieving the objectives we have set.”
“Aalberts Surface Technologies” is ranked by “The Monty Heat Treat News” as the second largest commercial heat treater in North America and also in Europe-their Värnamo, Sweden location is our focus today.
Recently the company completed a Swedish plant merger which is now complete. While the Värnamo plant offers several heat treatment processes (more details below) their focus is on nitriding which is very obvious when you look at this picture which features several large nitriding furnaces at least some of which are from German furnace builder KGO (not sure about all of the furnaces as there are no name tags). This photo shows the completed facility which is now operating at full capacity.
Back in 2021 the plant manager, Mr. Mirko Dandic (now Business Unit Director, Sweden) offered us this summary about a recent upgrade the plant had just made;
“2021 POSTING; Aalberts Surface Technologies, Värnamo, Sweden Completes Major Upgrade; Today we are looking at the Aalberts Surface Technologies facility in Värnamo, Sweden part of one of the largest surface treatment and commercial heat treating organizations in the world. Our host today is Mr. Mirko Dandic, who became plant manager in November 2018-Mirko gives us this summary of what has been accomplished in a little over 2 years.
– November 2018 I started as a plant manager for Värnamo plant.
– 2019 we bought a new HEMO hybrid washer and a new environmental container with AC for storage of cleaning solvent.
– 2020 we overhauled our entire ventilation and heating systems in the entire plant, including a new kitchen and dining room.
– Entire packaging area is overhauled. Painted, cleaned and equipped with lifts and crane, hydraulic tables etc.
In the beginning of 2020 we also decided to shut down 2 of our last mesh belt furnaces, one manufactured by Sarlin and the other one by Safed. Even though a market still exists in Sweden for small parts and components that are processed in this type of furnace, pricing and the age of the furnaces made it easy to decide about our future.
At the same time, we made a decision to expand our sealed quench line so we can grow with this type of process that we are experts at. The market is growing, our customers are growing as well so we decided to adapt and expand in order to be more competitive in the market.
We bought a new RTQ size 10 furnace, a new tempering DC-10 furnace with protective atmosphere and we decided to replace the old loading/unloading car with a new one. All 3 machines were manufactured by Ipsen, who also provided the rest of the line. Our line is very long (40 meters) and really wide, so we ordered a custom-made unloader to fulfil our standards.
After we sold the old belt furnaces we did overhaul 2000 square meters in the oldest part of the plant, fixed the ventilation system, cleaned walls and painted them, filled old oil pits and installed a KGO gas nitriding furnace. This is a new process for us in Värnamo, but our colleagues in Anderstorp are experts in this area and their training and support is extraordinary. This is just one of the benefits of being part of the Aalberts Group, investments, growth and knowledge is limitless. Mirko Dandic, Plant Manager”
And speaking of “KGO” nitriders in Europe lets look back at another captive/commercial heat treater which “The Monty Heat Treat News” visited just last year which also features KGO nitriders;
“MARCH 18th/2025; Gord Montgomery” of “The Monty Heat Treat News” had the opportunity just yesterday, March 18th, 2025 to see a really impressive captive/commercial heat treating facility in Dravogradu, Slovenia.
Let’s start at the beginning of our story;
Family owned “Miheu d.o.o.” located in the town of Dravogradu, Slovenia was founded in 1974 as small, humble commercial heat treater featuring “pit carburizing” furnaces. A big step in the evolution of the company occurred in 2008 when the firm acquired an automated carburizing line from Switzerland based “Codere”, a line which is still in service-since that time the company has added many more furnaces and has never looked back.
Overview of the “Miheu” Facility Featuring “SECO/WARWICK” Vacuum Hardening Furnaces
Over the years the firm has expanded from commercial heat treating only into one which offers heat treating and also manufacturers high precision shredder blades and distance rings used in industrial shredders for recycling of various materials-hence the fact that Miheu is both a captive and commercial heat treater.
As of this printing the company’s revenue is 50% commercial heat treating and 50% new machined products which translates into roughly 8 million Euro in total sales for 2025-mumber of employees is now 45.
As our focus is on the heat-treating side of the business, we will mention that over the past 10 years Miheu has invested over 10 million euros (roughly the same in USD) in the heat treat department and it shows, meaning it is a very clean, modern heat treat facility.
Heat treating is housed in its own brand new (since 2022), 2,000 square meter facility located just a few kilometers from the main office. Current business conditions mean that it is processing over 4,000 tons of steel per year.
Except for Induction hardening and salt quenching there are virtually no heat treating processes which the company does not offer, LPC (Low Pressure Carburizing), Carburizing, Gas Nitriding, Plasma Nitriding, Nitrocarburizing-the company offers every single one of these heat treat processes.
“KGO” Model “SON 12-20E” Pit Gas Nitrider Built 2020
Our visit was hosted by “Mr. Ales Prikerznik”, Director of the company and joining us was “Mr. Harald Roth” of German furnace builder “KGO” . KGO provided a pit nitriding furnace to the company which entered production in 2021-Harald, Ales and the furnace can be seen in two of the pictures below.
“Miheu d.o.o.” has featured prominently in several press releases issued by furnace builder “SECO/WARWICK” over the years and we can see why, “Miheu” has a number of quite new furnaces from the company including a “LPC”(low pressure carburizing) system which entered production in 2022-this is in addition to several “SECO” vacuum hardening systems which can be seen in at least two of these photos.
We thank “Mr. Ales Prikerznik” of “Miheu”, besides the fact that he is a very knowledgeable heat treater he is also a tremendous host. “Gord Montgomery”, “The Monty Heat Treat News”
A Year Defined by Confidence and Growth
In 2025, Ipsen strengthened its position as a trusted partner for high-precision heat-treating solutions across critical manufacturing sectors. Continued demand from aerospace, defense, medical technology, advanced manufacturing, and energy markets reflected growing customer confidence in Ipsen’s ability to deliver quality equipment, responsive service, and dependable performance. Throughout the year, repeat orders from established customers, targeted investments in manufacturing and service capabilities, and a continued focus on training and education reinforced Ipsen’s long-term commitment to operational excellence and customer success. Together, these efforts created strong momentum heading into 2026.
Market Demand Driven by Precision and Reliability
High-stakes manufacturing sectors continued to expand in 2025, particularly in commercial aviation, space launch, defense, and power generation for data centers. Growth in data centers and AI-related infrastructure increased demand for rare-earth metals manufacturing, while continued innovation in electric vehicles and battery technology supported demand for lightweight and specialty metal components.
Broader economic trends also contributed to increased interest in in-house heat treatment as manufacturers sought greater control over quality, throughput, and delivery timelines. Customers investing in their own heat-treating capabilities increasingly looked for partners with deep process knowledge, proven reliability, and the ability to support long-term operational needs—areas where Ipsen’s experience and scale continue to differentiate the company.
Engineering Solutions Aligned to Customer Processes
In 2025, customers consistently chose Ipsen for its ability to engineer furnace solutions optimized for specific applications and production requirements. Rather than one-size-fits-all systems, Ipsen applies deep metallurgical and process expertise to help customers maximize throughput, efficiency, and long-term performance.
Ipsen also continued development of its next-generation furnace operating system, informed by how customers interact with their equipment in real-world environments. Scheduled for launch in 2026, the new controls platform is designed to deliver clearer, more intuitive visual interfaces that provide operators and maintenance teams with relevant information quickly and effectively.
Building on the success of existing digital tools such as PdMetrics, Ipsen continued enhancing the customer experience through improvements to online parts ordering and Ipsen Connect. These updates—driven by direct customer and internal feedback—are already helping customers identify and order replacement parts more efficiently, reducing downtime and simplifying routine maintenance.
Quality at Speed Drives Repeat Business
Ipsen’s Quality at Speed initiative continued to guide decision-making across manufacturing, service, and customer support in 2025. The result has been measurable customer confidence, demonstrated most clearly through repeat business.
Multiple established customers placed additional furnace orders throughout the year to expand their Ipsen fleets, citing consistent equipment quality, responsive service, interchangeable spare parts, and familiarity with Ipsen systems as key factors in their decision-making.
Investing in Knowledge, Training, and Expertise
Ipsen continued to invest heavily in education and training programs in 2025 to support both customers and internal teams. More than 80 trainees completed in-house Ipsen U programs, while several customers scheduled on-site Ipsen U training to support their operators and maintenance personnel.
Twelve field service technicians graduated from the Ipsen Field Service Engineering Academy across two sessions, combining classroom instruction with hands-on experience to further strengthen Ipsen’s service capabilities.
The Ipsen Knowledge Center also expanded significantly in 2025, with more than 60 new articles published. These resources—ranging from technical guidance to customer stories—provide practical insights into heat-treating processes, furnace operation, and best practices, reinforcing Ipsen’s role as a trusted technical authority in the industry.
Continuous Improvement Across Manufacturing and Service
Ipsen’s commitment to continuous improvement remained a core focus in 2025, guided by lean manufacturing principles including Kaizen and 5S. At the Souderton manufacturing facility, investments in new CNC equipment improved accuracy and throughput, contributing to shorter lead times for customers.
Enhanced enterprise resource planning tools and a real-time manufacturing execution system improved visibility and planning across operations. These investments helped double hot zone output year over year while supporting the fulfillment of more than 4,000 parts orders out of the Souderton location in 2025.
Ipsen also continued expanding its Service HUB network, announcing its seventh active HUB and extending coverage to more than 350 customers across North America. HUB customers benefit from quicker response times, consistent technical support, and access to familiar field service technicians.
Additionally, Ipsen’s calibration laboratory successfully renewed its ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation for pyrometry while investing in advanced pyrometry certification for ten field service engineers—further strengthening compliance, accuracy, and customer confidence.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As demand continues across aerospace, defense, data center, and advanced manufacturing markets, Ipsen enters 2026 well positioned for continued growth. Ongoing testing of the new furnace operating system, additional investments in manufacturing equipment—including a new fiber laser system—and continued expansion of service capabilities will further strengthen Ipsen’s ability to support customers worldwide.
That momentum is already evident early in the year. In the first month of 2026, Ipsen secured the largest equipment order in company history, awarded by a long-standing aerospace manufacturer with rigorous qualification standards and global operations. While the customer remains confidential, the order reflects decades of trust, proven performance, and Ipsen’s ability to deliver mission-critical thermal processing solutions at scale.
At the same time, Ipsen remains committed to investing in its people through professional development, targeted recruiting, and expanded referral programs. By growing teams in Cherry Valley, Souderton, and throughout the global service network, Ipsen is building the expertise and capacity needed to support customers today and into the future.
With a clear focus on Quality at Speed, technical excellence, and long-term partnerships, Ipsen is prepared to carry the momentum of 2025 forward into the year ahead.
