Cherry Valley, Illinois (October 28, 2025) – Ipsen Connect, Ipsen’s integrated customer service portal, celebrates its second anniversary with several key updates designed to make it easier for customers to manage their furnaces, parts, and service needs.
The latest enhancements to Ipsen Connect include a shared shipment tracking system now available to all credentialed users, along with an expanded archive of Bills of Materials covering retrofits, rebuilds, and legacy furnace models. Together, these updates provide users with faster access to the information they need—reducing downtime and streamlining the process of identifying and ordering parts.
Launched in October 2023, Ipsen Connect offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing parts orders, scheduling service appointments, and reviewing order status in real time. The portal also provides access to Ipsen’s Knowledge Base, where customers can find best practices, troubleshooting guidance, and expert recommendations from Ipsen’s engineering and service teams.
As an update to this story we can say that “Mr. Seth Rogers”, after a number of years at the company in a variety of roles was recently promoted to Plant Manager of the Springfield location.
“2024 NEWS ITEM;Parker Trutec-One of the Largest Commercial Heat Treaters in North America; For many years “The Monty Heat Treat News” has been publishing an industry exclusive- a list of the “50 Largest Commercial Heat Treaters in North America” . And for a number of years included on that list has been Parker Trutec which led to a visit by Gord and Jordan Montgomery of “The Monty” last week at Parkers’ Corporate office in Springfield, Ohio, USA.
Our host for the tour was Mr. Shannon Ricciardo, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for the company. Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge to the position having worked on the production side of the of the business for over 20 years before moving into a sales role. Shannon shared with us the history of the company, information about their various North American locations and a very in depth plant tour-this is what we learned;
In 1928 parent company Nihon Parkerizing was established in Tokyo, Japan, this eventually resulted in Nihon Parkerizing establishing “Trutec, Inc.” in Urbana, Ohio, a facility which exists to this day and which offers surface treatment. This investment in turn resulted in Nihon Parkerizing setting up their first North American heat treat facility under the name “Trutec, Inc.” located in Springfield, Ohio. In 2003 the name was changed to “Parker Trutec, Inc.”, and through an acquisition the company added plants in Arkansas, and Tennessee.
The end result is that “Parker Trutec” now has 6 locations throughout North America including Springfield, Ohio, Urbana, Ohio, Sevierville, Tennessee, Kodak Tennessee and Paragould, Arkansas. Under the Nihon Parkerizing group company Parker Trutec Mexicana are locations in Irapuato, Mexico and Aguascalientes, Mexico.
To some extent each facility has some of the same capabilities as the other plants but this is certainly not universal. For instance, Gas Carburizing, Gas Soft Nitriding, Carbonitriding and neutral hardening are exclusive to the Springfield and Mexico locations while Ferritic Nitrocarburizing and Isonite QPQ are offered in Springfield, Ohio, Sevierville, Tennessee, Paragould, Arkansas and Mexico.
It is certainly no surprise that “Parker Trutec’s” core business is centered on the automotive industry but it would be incorrect to assume that it largely serves Japanese automakers. In actual fact only 60% of their business is for Japanese firms with the remainder for North American and European companies.
Our visit to the Springfield plant revealed almost exactly what we expected to see, a large, clean, modern facility much larger than the average commercial heat treat which is borne out by the fact that it has over 150 employees. In terms of equipment this is what we saw;
Salt Bath Nitriding Furnaces (FNC) processing our Isonite process to AMS 2755 (High Cyanide Salt).
Salt Bath Nitriding Furnaces (FNC) processing our Isonite QPQ process to AMS 2753 (Low Cyanide Salt).
Salt Bath Nitriding Furnaces (FNC) processing our Isonite LiFe process.
Gas Ferritic Carburizing Furnaces (FNC) processing to AMS 2757.
Batch Carburizing with Dowa, Surface Combustion and AFC-Holcroft Furnaces.
Vacuum Degreasing Systems for pre- and post-carburizing.
Hanging and barrel shotblasters.
Vibratory polishing equipment.
And does Parker Trutec deserve to be on our list of the 50 Largest Commercial Heat Treaters in North America? With heat treat sales of roughly $45 million USD and total sales of approximately $56 million USD the answer is an unqualified YES.
“SECO/WARWICKwill supply a single-chamberVector vacuum furnaceto a leading manufacturer of advanced technological solutions for the aerospace industry. This will be the third SECO/WARWICK vacuum device operating at the Partner’s Indonesian facility. The new furnace will enhance production capacity in the field of aircraft gear manufacturing.
“For decades, we have been working for the aerospace industry and continuously improving our equipment to not only meet high quality standards but also to ensure maximum efficiency. For manufacturers of aircraft and helicopter parts, we almost always prepare unique solutions tailored to defined needs. In this case, the Partner ordered a vacuum furnace that has been additionally equipped to maximize the efficiency of heat treatment for aircraft gears produced by the client,” explains Maciej Korecki, Vice President, Vacuum Segment, SECO/WARWICK Group.
SECO/WARWICK has supplied vacuum solutions to plants manufacturing aerospace components on every continent. This extensive experience is the result of the superior quality of its vacuum furnaces, which prove themselves even in the most demanding industries. SECO/WARWICK equipment processes parts for most top passenger, commercial and military aircraft.”
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“After an extraordinary 47-year career with Bodycote, Simon Blantern will retire at the end of 2025, marking the conclusion of a journey that has left an enduring mark on both the company and the global heat-treatment community.
Simon’s career began in the late 1970s, when the heat-treatment industry looked very different from today. Over the decades that followed, he witnessed – and helped drive – tremendous transformation in technology, customer expectations, and global manufacturing standards. Rising through the ranks to Senior Vice President Operations, ADE Europe, Simon became known for his integrity, deep technical knowledge, and relentless commitment to customer satisfaction.
“Simon has always been the person people turned to when something needed to be done right,” says George Toshev, General Manager at Bodycote’s Stillington UK facility. “His ability to balance commercial acumen with hands-on understanding of operations made him a trusted voice both internally and with customers.”
Expanding Capabilities, Building Trust; Among Simon’s most significant contributions was his role in strengthening Bodycote’s European footprint. He played a central part in developing investment strategies that led to new facilities in key manufacturing hubs, expanding the company’s capacity and supporting customers locally.
Simon also helped shape long-term partnerships with some of the world’s most advanced engineering companies. Through his leadership, Bodycote established enduring contracts that reinforced its reputation for reliability, quality, and technical excellence.
Champion of People and Progress; While Simon’s business achievements are impressive, his legacy within Bodycote extends even deeper. A passionate advocate for people development, he mentored many of the company’s current leaders – encouraging a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Earlier in his career, Simon helped implement initiatives that transformed workplace culture and engagement, including programs that earned one of Bodycote’s UK operations the Investors in People recognition – a milestone achievement in the 1990s that underscored the company’s commitment to its workforce.
Industry Advocate; Beyond his role at Bodycote, Simon devoted significant energy to advancing the heat-treatment industry as a whole. He served on the Management Committee of the Contract Heat Treatment Association (CHTA) for 15 years, including a term as Chairman, where he represented the industry in government discussions and championed fair policies for manufacturers across the UK.
Resilience and Dedication; Throughout his tenure, Simon led through challenging times – including major structural changes and global disruptions. His pragmatic approach and focus on people ensured continuity, stability, and resilience, even during periods of significant uncertainty.
As Simon prepares for his well-earned retirement, colleagues across Bodycote and the broader industry reflect on a career that exemplifies dedication, excellence, and heart.
“It’s not just what Simon accomplished,” said Heidi McNary, President, Global ADE and Surface Technology at Bodycote, “but how he did it – with integrity, humility, and the respect of everyone he worked with.”
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“HTD offers New, Surplus Inventory and Used Products at competitive prices! With thousands of products from hundreds of manufacturers, these products are in stock and ready to be shipped. HTD was designed to create a resource for buyers, that they can refer to when they need a part or a piece of equipment for the Heat Treat/Lab/Maintenance department. HTD typically offers inventory surplus, so we may not have the exact part you need every time but that is when our combined 60+ years’ experience kicks in. Our many years within the industry gives us the relationships to find what you need quickly. If you do not see what you need, contact us, as all products may not be listed on the site, or we will help you find them.”
“The Monty Heat Treat News” has now partnered with “Heat Treat Depot” to offer you further savings. Use the code below and “Heat Treat Depot” will give you “The Monty” discount on any items purchased. And keep in mind that “Heat Treat Depot” will ship anywhere in the world-at last count we had shipped to over 50 countries around the world!
A reader responded with a question addressed to “The Monty” team-“what is the oldest continuously running commercial heat treat in North America”–“The Monty” team got it wrong with our answer of“Bennett Heat Treating”in Newark, NJ founded in 1923.
It turns out the correct answer is “Queen City Steal Treating”, in Cincinnati, Ohio founded way back in 1921-it is believed that they are the only remaining charter member of “Metal Treating Institute”MTI – (our news item below features MTI).
In related news it is our understanding that “Mrs. Judy Rudy”, the longstanding and very competent President of the firm bought out her business partners earlier this year and is now sole owner of the company-a very impressive feat.
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The Metal Treating Institute (MTI) Technical Standards Committee met in conjunction with the Nadcap meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to discuss critical issues shaping the future of technical standards and audit compliance across the heat-treating industry.
The meeting provided a collaborative platform for MTI members and technical leaders to exchange updates, align on upcoming revisions, and identify priority actions related to key AMS, ASTM specifications and Nadcap audit compliance.
Highlights of the discussion included:
AC7102 Technical Comments: Review and clarification of current interpretations and their impact on member audits.
MTL Update: Insights into the latest developments from the Materials Task Group (MTL) and implications for ongoing audit cycles.
Audit Planning: Discussion of potential cutting days for audits to improve scheduling efficiency and reduce operational disruptions.
Product Impact and Auditor Training: Evaluation of recent updates in auditor training and product-impact assessment to ensure consistency across facilities.
AMEC and Commodity Committee Collaboration: Updates from AMEC and engagement with commodity committee sponsors to strengthen standard alignment efforts.
RAIL 387 Discussion: Review of ASTM hardness testing recommendations as potential requirements within future revisions.
AMEC Spec Updates: Deep dive into specifications currently under review, including:
AMS 2759 – Cleaning Requirements
AMS 2759/1/5/7/8/9, 2769, 2753, 3025, 2771, 2761, and 81200 (Titanium & Raw Materials)
Turning ARPs to AMS Specs: Continued efforts to transition Aerospace Recommended Practices (ARPs) into full AMS specifications for greater clarity and industry consistency.
Spec 13100 and CMMC: Examination of updates to AMS 13100 and the integration of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements across supplier operations.
The committee also gathered member input through “Table Questions”—inviting attendees to share challenges in audit preparation, findings management, and upcoming questions for the Heat Treating Task Group (HTSTG) meeting.
“Our Technical Standards Committee plays a vital role in ensuring MTI members remain informed, compliant, and at the forefront of technical excellence,” said Tom Morrison, CEO of the Metal Treating Institute. “By staying engaged in these discussions at Nadcap, we help shape practical, industry-driven solutions that improve audit performance and maintain high standards of quality.”
The committee will continue to monitor upcoming AMEC meetings and specification updates, providing timely communication and resources to help MTI members stay audit-ready and technically current.
About the Metal Treating Institute (MTI). Founded in 1933, the Metal Treating Institute is the world’s largest network of commercial heat treaters, dedicated to advancing technical knowledge, economic forecasting, workforce development, and operational excellence across the thermal processing industry. Through education, benchmarking, and standards engagement, MTI helps members stay MTI Strong.
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As we enter the third and final day of the largest North American heat treat event of 2025-“Heat Treat 2025” we have these photos from Day Two.
Thermtech; On the gear side of the show we found one of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America-“Thermtech”. Left to Right; Mike Sweeney, Sales, Jordan Montgomery, Chuck Hartwig
McLaughlin Furnace Group, Left to Right; Eli Swingley, Gage Ernsberger, Gordon Cooper, Ryan McLaughlin, Jeff McLaughlin, Briar Gerber, Ben Tackett
Left to Right; Lu Chouraki, Field Service Manager, Jerald Balinnang, West Regional Sales Owner, Rene Alquicer, Southwest Regional Sales Owner, John Pease, Central Regional Sales Owner, Antonio Gutierrez, Mexico/Latin America Sales Owner, Charlie Preston, Southeast Regional Sales Engineer, Evan Swalla, Retrofits Manager, Chad Mehmel, Northeast/Canada Regional Sales Engineer, Geoffrey Somary, CEO, Aymeric Goldsteinas, VP Digital Technologies
Vac Aero Left to Right; Gord Montgomery, Nate McColin, Technical Project Manager, Sales Manager, Pawel Udrycki, Gary Younger, Jordan Montgomery
Paul Dobson, Wade Maloney, IVAC Group, Gary Berwick, Dry Coolers
Verder Scientific
“Shital Vacuum Treat, one of India’s leading metal heat treatment service providers, has ordered their third vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICK. This time, the company has opted for a standard, high-pressure quench vacuum furnace, manufactured locally under the “Made in India” program.
The new vacuum device will be used for a wide range of processes such as vacuum hardening, tempering, solution treatment, aging, annealing, brazing and high-pressure gas quenching. The furnace will comply with the NADCA (North American Die Casting Association) global standard for the heat treatment of tools and dies and enable Partner to prepare for NADCAP certification.
Shital Vacuum Treat Pvt Ltd is a recognized brand in the Indian market, not only providing comprehensive heat treatment services but also acting as a technology advisor. The partner serves clients from various sectors: automotive, aerospace, toolmaking and machinery. Commercial hardening plants like those at Shital Vacuum Treat play a crucial role in India’s rapidly developing economy — enabling access to high-quality processes even for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The new furnace is a response to increased demand for services. The partner, who previously invested in SECO/WARWICK furnaces in 2015 and 2021, has again chosen to trust a proven supplier. For the second time, the equipment ordered will be fully manufactured in India.
“Shital Vacuum Treat is a long-standing partner, promoter and a true ambassador of SECO/WARWICK technology in the Indian market. The fact that they have chosen our solution for the third time demonstrates that they not only trust SECO/WARWICK, they recognize the real value we bring to this business. We are delighted that the factory opened last year in Pune, just 25 km from the client’s headquarters, was able to produce and deliver this furnace under the Made in India program,” said Arvind Agarwal, Managing Director, SECO/WARWICK India.”
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The ASM Heat Treat 2025 Exhibition being held in Detroit, Michigan, USA is now in “full swing” and Gord and Jordan Montgomery of “The Monty Heat Treat News” are in attendance.
This 3 day event has started off with a “bang” with what would appear to be a record number of exhibitors and impressive visitor attendance (although we have no figures to back this up).
ASM always organizes a good event and to date we have seen no “hiccups” or issues whatsoever and the general feeling from both exhibitors and visitors about the state of the heat treat industry appears to be one of cautious optimism.
These photos should give you a general sense of the meeting with more to come.
Left to Right; Jordan Montgomery, Rob Gardner, Eltropuls USA, Kirsten Barton, Eltropuls, Gord Montgomery
Left to Right; Peter DeLone, SBS Corp., George Smith, SBS Corp., Jordan Montgomery, The Monty Heat Treat News
Left to Right: David Hsu, Harald Roth, KGO, Eva Kong, Ramos Shi
Gord Montgomery, Pat McKenna, CEO Bluewater Thermal Solutions
Left to Right; Mark Hemsath (formerly Nitrex CEO), The SECO/WARWICK Team
Earlier this week “The Monty Heat Treat News” had a news item entitled “Heat Treat 2025”-Things You Have to Know“. This news item featured a number of trivia points about the heat treatment industry which every heat treater worth their salt should know.
