“A leading automotive manufacturer has selected UPC-Marathon’s cutting-edge EndoFlex L generators to enhance its heat-treatment operations. As part of a forward-thinking initiative to improve manufacturing, the automaker is reinforcing its commitment to increasing production efficiency while aligning with sustainability and cost management goals.

The facility specializes in producing engine parts that require high durability and wear resistance. These components undergo carburizing, a heat-treatment process that hardens surfaces by introducing carbon into the material. To support this operation, endothermic gas is generated and supplied by specialized equipment. However, the facility’s aging, gas-heated generators had become a bottleneck, consuming excessive natural gas and contributing to CO₂ emissions. Seeking a more efficient and eco-conscious solution, the automaker turned to UPC-Marathon, a Nitrex company, to supply five advanced, electrically heated EndoFlex L endothermic gas generators.

Designed specifically for carburizing, the EndoFlex L represents a breakthrough in controlled, efficient, and eco-conscious heat treatment. Its multi-retort design and precise temperature control enable optimized production of high-quality endothermic gas, ensuring consistent and stable delivery for carburizing heat treatment. By providing an on-demand source of endothermic gas only as needed, the system significantly reduces gas consumption and emissions, making it both a greener and more economical choice.

“The partnership extends beyond this project,” said Daniel Panny, Head of Sales Europe at UPC-Marathon. “Building on the success of past collaborations, where we upgraded legacy generators with the EndoInjector gas injection system to enhance and stabilize endothermic gas delivery, the customer selected the EndoFlex L for this major overhaul. This project illustrates how long-term supplier relationships can drive transformative advancements in industrial manufacturing.”

Set for commissioning early next year, the EndoFlex L systems will play a key role in the manufacturer’s modernization strategy, supporting its long-term economic and environmental objectives.”

ABOUT UPC-MARATHON, A NITREX COMPANY; UPC-Marathon, a Nitrex company, pioneers industrial process control, automation, and digitalization for heat treatment and combustion markets. Our mission is to support furnace OEMs and equipment end-users with innovative solutions, enhancing profitability and reliability while optimizing operational efficiency. End-to-end control solutions encompass probes, analyzers, controllers, flow control systems, upgrades/retrofits, SCADA, and engineered solutions for various heat treat processes. Leveraging our digitalization platform QMULUS, customers gain a deeper understanding of their assets and production processes. Dedicated to our customers’ sustainable growth, UPC-Marathon delivers localized service with a global approach to excellence and care. Let us bring our expertise to your project!

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   During a visit to the Remscheid, Germany location of commercial heat treater “Aalberts Surface Technologies” Gord Montgomery of “The Monty Heat Treat News” had the chance to see a recent install at the firm which took the shape of an Ipsen XXL batch IQ line. (The original story can be found at https://themonty.com/aalberts-surface-technologies-remscheid-germany/). 

As a footnote to this story we see that Aalberts issued this formal press release about the line earlier this week; “Our fully automated IPSEN XXL batch furnace line in Remscheid sets new standards in advanced heat treatment technology. Designed for high-volume production, it is perfectly suited for components like bolts, screws, and other serial parts, particularly in the automotive industry where precision and demanding geometries are key. By integrating automated charging systems, the efficiency of the line is further enhanced. This allows us to increase throughput and reduce cycle times even more, ensuring precise and reliable handling of large volumes. It’s the ideal solution for industries that require both maximum productivity and consistent quality.”

What this press release doesn’t mention is that there are plans to add another 1 or 2 identical lines as future demand increases, although these pictures don’t show it the pits are already in place for future additions. Aalberts is one of the “50 Largest Commercial Heat Treaters in North America” as ranked by “The Monty” and also one of the largest in Europe.

Last week we mentioned that a very experienced heat treater that we have known for years, Mr. Steve Metz of commercial heat treater Aalberts Surface Technologies was changing the direction of his very distinguished career in the industry. Here in his own words Steve tells us what prompted this change and what is next step in the industry is going to be.

“Exco” is a global designer, developer and manufacturer of dies, molds, components and assemblies for a variety of industries and more importantly to a heat treat news source such as “The Monty Heat Treat News” a company which firmly believes in investing in the latest and greatest heat treat technologies. 

Over the years “The Monty” has reported on several of the firms heat treat investments including this news item from 2023, today we mention another heat treat investment the company is making at their facility in Chesterfield, Michigan, USA. The current heat treating department operates fluidized bed furnaces (as a number of the other Exco locations did in the past), however the plant is in the process of phasing out the fluidized bed furnaces and replacing them with vacuum heat treatment. This brings up the obvious question; is there anybody left in North America who still operates fluidized bed furnaces? The project is expected to be completed by the 3^rd quarter of 2025. 

This timeline shows the heat treatment investments the company has made over the past 3 years; 

• Extrusion Michigan’s heat treatment project to upgrade the current fluidised bed furnaces with vacuum heat treatment continues. This project is expected to be completed in Q3 2025.

• Castool Heat treatment facility completed in Newmarket. With one of the largest heat treat ovens in North America, this facility has the capacity to heat treat parts of extreme size for Die-casting and Extrusion customers. Castool’s facility can meet the needs of Castool and Exco Engineering Newmarket.
• Extrusion Group Markham heat treatment replacement project completed and running more efficiently than expected. The Board approved Extrusion Michigan’s heat treatment equipment replacement project to implement a vacuum heat treatment facility and replace the fluidised bed furnaces process currently in place. Due to long lead times, this project will likely be completed in fiscal 2025.

• Castool Heat treatment – Situated within our existing Newmarket facility, phase 1 of this project was completed in the third quarter of Fiscal 2022. Phase 2 is expected to be completed in the second quarter of Fiscal 2023. This facility gives us the ability to process regular and oversized components, ensure faster delivery to our customers, increase quality control, mitigate risks of relying on a third-party supplier for an essential process and the energy efficient equipment reduces the Company’s carbon dioxide footprint.
• Extrusion Group Heat Treatment capacity was increased in Texas, added in Mexico. The replacement project in Markham continues and will be completed in early Fiscal 2023.

“About Exco; Exco is a global designer, developer and manufacturer of dies, moulds, components and assemblies, and consumable equipment for the die-cast, extrusion and automotive industries. Through its 21 strategic locations, Exco employs approximately 5,000 people and services a diverse and broad customer base. Each operation constitutes an autonomous profit centre within the Company but draws upon Exco’s pool of expertise and technology.

The Casting and Extrusion segment designs, develops and manufactures die-casting and extrusion tooling and consumable parts for both aluminum die-casting and aluminum extrusion machines. Operations are based in North America, South America, Europe, Thailand and Morocco and serve automotive and industrial markets around the world. Exco is a leader in most of its markets which principally consist of North America for die-cast tooling, Europe, North and South America for extrusion tooling and globally for consumable tooling parts and related equipment. Across its markets, Exco is focused on further entrenching itself by reducing lead times and manufacturing costs through design and process enhancements. Major capital projects have been implemented in recent years to increase capacity, reduce lead times, further improve quality and reduce costs. In the machine consumables market, Exco is leveraging its long tradition as a reliable, high-quality supplier of consumable components for the injection system of die-cast machines and aluminum extrusion presses by evaluating, coordinating and ultimately maximizing customers’ overall equipment performance and longevity.”

Bodycote, the world’s “Largest Commercial Heat Treater” as ranked by “The Monty Heat Treat News” has just appointed Ms. Heidi McNary, as President, Global ADE & Surface Technology, Bodycote.  ADE is the Aerospace/Defense/Energy division of “Bodycote”. It would appear that Heidi brings some very impressive credentials to the table although this does not appear to include direct heat treatment experience. 

Our impression is that this position was formerly held by Mr. Tom Gibbons, if that is the case we are unsure of that Tom’s plans are at this point. 

“The customer’s decision to expand with Nitrex reflects G-M Enterprises’ proven track record in furnace reliability,” said Mark Hemsath, president of Nitrex Turnkey Systems. “Our commitment to quality has anchored this partnership for over three decades.”

“Our long-standing relationship with this aerospace customer underscores Nitrex’s commitment to providing durable equipment backed by robust technical support,” said Jay Jefsen, regional sales manager for Nitrex Vacuum. “We are proud to contribute to their ongoing success and look forward to supporting their production goals with this latest addition.” The furnace is scheduled for commissioning in April 2025.”

In an effort to increase their sales both in Europe and North America, Graphite Materials has just appointed “Mr. Matthias Schlesies” as Director Sales and Internationalization, USA and Europe effective December 1, 2024. (These photos show “Matthias” and also Graphite Materials in Nurenburg, during a visit by Gord Montgomery of “The Monty Heat Treat News a couple of years ago).