Furnace builder ECM of Grenoble, France is pretty happy to announce that they have completed installation of a Low Pressure Carburizing Line at Thermi Lyon in Marignier, France. Thermi Lyon is a family owned commercial heat treater and one of the largest in France;
 
“We are very pleased to have been able to collaborate with Groupe Thermilyon at their “Trempelec” site for the integration of their new vacuum heat treatment line. ⚡
 
“Groupe Thermilyon” is a French group, service provider and expert in heat treatment and vacuum coating. This new automated line consists of cells for low-pressure carburizing as well as gas quenching cells and oil quenching cells. This investment demonstrates their desire to improve their industrial facilities by guaranteeing their end customers a gain in machining, metallurgical quality and consequently in unit cost.
 
This all-electric vacuum heat treatment line is an additional way for the Groupe Thermilyon – Traitement thermique to guarantee clean production for their customer while reducing their own energy consumption.”
 
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BMI Fours based in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier is one of the largest vacuum furnace builders in Europe. The company has just announced that they are installing a Model VSE84T bottom load vacuum furnace for a customer in Spain. While few details are available at this point we do understand that the end customer is a captive heat treater in the Bilbao, Spain area. We will provide more details when we can.

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“The SECO/WARWICK Group will supply a horizontal vacuum heat treatment furnace with a graphite heating chamber and a 15 bar absolute gas quenching system to the Chinese manufacturer. The solution will be used to produce components used in the aviation and energy industries.
 
The SECO/WARWICK Group’s solutions are characterized by innovation and reliability. They are distinguished by modern control systems and precise charge-feeding systems. Vector® is the most versatile single-chamber vacuum furnace operating in over 70 countries, heat treating millions of components meeting the highest standards every day. Vector vacuum furnaces provide a very wide range of processes, and the compact, modular design allows the furnace to be adapted to specific needs. That is why they are one of the most frequently ordered vacuum furnaces for metal heat treatment, not only in Asia, but around the world.
 
The Vector furnace family guarantees the high quality of processed parts and surface protection. Thanks to the uniformity of temperature, work results are very repeatable. It is an ideal solution used in production requiring precision results. At the same time, it is a furnace characterized by low energy and process gas consumption. The solution’s low rate of emissions translates into environmental friendliness, which aligns with the company’s philosophy – SECO/ECO.
 
“Huake Casting Control Technology has become our customer as the result of the SECO/WARWICK Group’s increasing reputation in Asia. On the Chinese market, long-term relationships with customers are an important value. We want to provide partners with solutions which will allow them to grow and achieve their intended goals related to production, quality and profitability,” says Liu Yedong, Managing Director of SECO/WARWICK China. The SECO/WARWICK’s Chinese branch can now produce 20 CAB lines, 8-10 VAC vacuum furnaces and 2-3 VME furnaces per year. SECO/WARWICK doubled the area of the manufacturing facilities in China last year. Today both production plants in China offer 10,000 m2 of production space.”

Furnaces North America (FNA) 2024, the leading trade show for the heat-treating industry in North America, is thrilled to announce that attendance has grown by 25% compared to its last event in 2022, as of this week.

FNA 2024 will take place from October 14-16 at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Tom Morrison, FNA Show Producer, expressed enthusiasm about the event’s growth: “With technology evolving at such a rapid pace, both commercial and captive heat treaters are finding immense value in attending FNA 2024. It’s a unique opportunity for them to connect with over 160 top suppliers, covering every facet of thermal processing, all in one place. It’s an incredibly efficient use of their time.”

Suppliers have highlighted the unparalleled benefits of FNA 2024, stating, “There’s no other event where buyers, heat-treating professionals, metallurgists, and engineers can see, experience, and learn about the latest advancements in technology, services, and processes. These innovations are crucial for improving productivity, throughput, and quality. In the face of a labor shortage, FNA 2024 will demonstrate how AI and emerging technologies can automate many aspects of plant operations.”

FNA 2024 will feature 35 technical sessions across 10 specialized tracks, bringing together industry experts to explore cutting-edge developments in areas such as equipment maintenance, digital transformation, pyrometry, operational efficiency, quality control, audit compliance, and energy management.

With demographic data predicting that labor shortages will persist over the next decade, it’s crucial for companies to attend FNA 2024 and discover innovative solutions for maximizing automation, efficiency, and productivity.

For more details and to register, visit www.FurnacesNorthAmerica.com. Use the following coupon codes for exclusive savings:

· EXPOFREE: Free entry to the trade show ($25 savings)

· 50OFF: $50 off a full conference pass, which includes the opening night reception, access to all 35 technical sessions, and the trade show

Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead of the curve in the heat-treating industry! Miss FNA 2024 and miss the future.

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“Nitrex Heat Treating Services (HTS) is excited to announce Steve Fuller as the new Plant General Manager at our Michigan facility. This appointment represents a pivotal moment as we advance our mission to deliver exceptional service and cutting-edge solutions to our customers who rely on commercial heat-treating services.
 
In his role, Steve will oversee the day-to-day operations of our Michigan site, holding full P&L responsibility and reporting directly to Jason Orosz, President of Nitrex HTS. His role will involve leading and mentoring our team, nurturing high-level relationships with key customers, managing quality systems, and ensuring operational efficiency. With extensive experience in commercial heat treating, coupled with a strong background in machine tool manufacturing and welding, Steve is well-equipped to drive HTS Michigan towards success.
 
Steve’s immediate focus will be on improving equipment reliability and streamlining processes by leveraging the collective expertise of our team. His long-term goals are centered around team development, operational excellence, and delivering lasting value to our customers.
 
Nitrex HTS President, Jason Orosz, remarked, “Steve’s impressive leadership and customer-centric approach make him a perfect fit for our Midwest facility. His deep understanding of the heat-treating industry will drive significant advancements in our operations and strengthen our relationships with customers. We are confident that Steve’s commitment to continuous improvement and his skill in building collaborative teams will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also deliver lasting value to our clients.”
 
Steve shared his excitement about joining Nitrex, saying, “Nitrex’s reputation in the heat-treating industry is inspiring, and I’m eager to work with the advanced Nitreg® gas nitriding and nitrocarburizing processes. With 45 years of experience in the aerospace sector—spanning fabrication, process engineering, and quality management—I’m committed to driving improvements and fostering a dynamic, supportive work environment. My approach—marked by calm decision-making, data-driven strategies, and valuing team insights—will be key to achieving our goals and elevating our North American operations.”

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Earlier this year “The Monty Heat Treat News” had the exclusive news item below about a North American munitions supplier making a very substantial investment in their heat treat department to keep up with demand. IMT Group based in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada is planning on a ribbon cutting ceremony next month for the new multi-million dollar facility. As mentioned earlier part of the group’s investment includes several Surface Combustion Allcase batch IQ furnaces. The investment also includes a large capacity (50 Ton) carbottom furnace for annealing of the shells, start up is happening as we speak. The investment is being financed by hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts from the US Defense Department to manufacturer shell casings such as the one in this photo.
 
“FEBRUARY 5th 2024; Munitions Supplier Adds Heat Treating Capacity. It is well known that the war in the Ukraine has put enormous pressure on increasing production of munitions, and at the top of the list this would include 105 and 155 mm artillery shells. This “war pressure demand” was bound to increase production in western countries of munitions which would include added heat treat capacity and we now have an example of this.
​
IMT (https://imtcorporation.com/) is located in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada and for years now the company has produced a rather odd combination of products-truck axles and artillery shells, the mix depends upon market demand for each product. We have now heard that the munitions side of the business has gained the upper hand in the form of a very substantial order for artillery shells which is directly related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. (more about IMT Defense https://imtdefence.com/)
​
How does this change their heat treating requirements? For many years IMT has had a very modest heat treat department in the form of 2 very old Surface Combustion “Super 30” Allcase batch IQ lines. We now believe that the heat treat department will be vastly expanded with several new Surface batch IQ furnaces on the way with the expectation that installation of the units will start shortly. 
​
It brings joy to the hearts of everybody at “The Monty Heat Treat News” to see a Canadian company actually adding heat treat capacity rather than the never ending story of Canadian firms closing down their manufacturing facilities.” 
October 8th-10th of this year sees the largest European heat treatment exhibition of the year “HK24” being held in Cologne, Germany. “The Monty” has been visiting this show for almost 20 years now and in our opinion it is the best in Europe-well organized, well attended and with excellent technical sessions. It’s number one focus is the very substantial German heat treatment market, with a European focus being second. While few North American industry suppliers attend the event there is always a fairly strong international prescence. These photos are from the 2023 event and give you a “flavor” for the exhibition.
 
“The exhibiting companies will take the opportunity to present innovations and trends and introduce their companies to an interested specialist audience. As a small anniversary highlight, the organizer, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Wärmebehandlung und Werkstofftechnik e. V. (AWT) and some exhibitors invite you to the ‘TalkingHeat’ hall party on the first day of the trade fair at 18:00. Interested parties can combine their participation in the anniversary celebration with a visit to the trade fair on this day: admission to the trade fair is free on Tuesday. TalkingHeat@HK – the hall party for the Heat Treatment community
 
As a small anniversary highlight the AWT and some exhibitors are inviting visitors to a ‘TalkingHeat’ hall party on the first day of the trade fair. The event will take place on Tuesday, 8 October, 2024 at 18:00. Guests will gather at the AWT stand for a relaxed end to the day with Kölsch beer and pretzels.”  www.hk-awt.de
On a regular basis “The Monty Heat Treat News” looks at common, used heat treat furnaces and suggests what they are worth on the used market-today we look at electrically heated “Super 30 Allcase” furnaces.
 
The “Super 30 Allcase” furnace is manufactured by one of the largest new furnace builders in North America, Surface Combustion of Maumee, Ohio, USA (https://themonty.com/articles/10-largest-north-american-heat-treat-furnace-builders/). With working dimensions of 30″ X 48″ X 30″ and an integral quench this furnace was at one time the most popular furnace in North America with literally thousands being built. While it has largely been superseded by larger models such as the “Super 36” with working dimensions of 36″ X 48″ X 36″ there still remains an awful lot of “Super 30” furnaces in operation and generally a buyer can be found with one caveat and that is heating configuration.
 
Generally, these furnaces were heated with natural gas rather than electricity-we would estimate that natural gas fired units outnumbered electric by a factor of 10:1 with electric versions relegated to just a handful of geographic areas such as the US Northwest and Quebec, Canada. The end result is that while gas fired Super 30 units in reasonable condition sell in the $75,000 to $95,000 USD range, an electric version is lucky if it can be sold at all. By the way the decision about whether to heat with gas or electricity is generally based almost entirely on economics with natural gas in most areas of North America being substantially cheaper than electricity.
 
A case in point is a recent auction held at now defunct commercial heat treater “M T Heat Treat” in Mentor, Ohio. The auction featured a number of electrically heated “Super 30” lines in varying condition, ranging anywhere from “very nice” right on down to “cannibalized” for spare parts with the heating elements removed. While most of the ancillary equipment such as tempers did sell at auction not a single one of the Allcases sold and our understanding is that they will be scrapped even though the auction was highly advertised and attracted a lot of attention.  
 
So in summary while a gas fired “Super 30” in reasonable condition can generally find a buyer, an electrically heated unit is not a popular item on the used furnace market and sale prices reflect this. (The attached photo shows a typical older, electrically heated “Super 30”).
 
Stay tuned for future editions of “What Is It Worth”?
 
For the week starting September 2, 2024 the top 3 heat treatment stories globally as ranked by “The Monty Heat Treat News” include these;
 
“Metals Technology Receivership Sale? August 12th of this year “The Monty” had a news item about the second largest commercial heat treater in the Chicago area, “Metals Technology Corp.” entering receivership (the original story is further down). The story caught us off guard because this is a much larger than average commercial heat treater and we had heard nothing about financial issues. To give you an idea about the size of the company they have 3 austemper lines, 9 batch IQ’s, 4 endothermic generators, 5 vacuum furnaces, 5 induction systems, 1 automated marquench unit, 6 blast finishing systems and other miscellaneous items. 
 
When we first started tracking down this story, we were told that it was hoped a buyer would be found within 60-90 days-a very short timeline indeed. Well, if the rumors we are hearing are true a buyer has been found. What we have been told is that a very large coating company in the region will be the new owners. While we can’t 100% confirm this, we also have no reason to not believe it. We will keep you updated. 
 
“AUGUST 12, 2024; USA Commercial Heat Treater in Receivership-“Metals Technology”; Yesterday we had a news item entitled “USA Commercial Heat Treater Enters Receivership” https://themonty.com/usa-commercial-heat-treater-enters-receivership/ and as promised “The Monty Heat Treat News” followed up on this story-this is what we found out; While it would be difficult to say this is a good news story, we can certainly claim that it is not a bad story either. The company is a long-established commercial heat treater by the name of “Metals Technology” in Carol Stream, IL, USA https://metalstechnology.com/. Established in 1963 it has consistently had sales of over $14 million USD in the past few years and offers austempering, carburizing, vacuum hardening, induction hardening, marquenching and straightening to name a few processes-all in a 70,000 square foot facility. While the company is temporarily in receivership all suppliers are getting paid on time, all customers are being serviced, no employees are being laid off and plans are that the company will continue operating as it has in the past. Watch for more updates from “The Monty”. https://themonty.com/usa-commercial-heat-treater-in-receivership-metals-technology/”
 
“Gear Manufacturer Auctioning Vacuum Carburizing Furnaces; Bidding is now open for an auction being held in Vienna, Austria at Opel Gear Manufacturing. The now closed facility manufactured components for automotive transmissions and amongst the items for auction is a large amount of heat treatment equipment. This includes ECM 6-Chamber ICBP vacuum carburizing systems built in 2003, Aichelin Endothermic generators and LOI furnaces. It is very hard to gauge how much interest these items will generate. Certainly ECM, Aichelin and LOI are very respected names in the heat treatment industry, but on the other side of the coin the automotive heat treatment industry in Germany is slow these days and we would assume this will have a very detrimental effect on bidding. We will keep you updated.” https://themonty.com/gear-manufacturer-auctioning-vacuum-carburizing-furnaces/
 
Heat Treatment Names in the News https://themonty.com/heat-treatment-names-in-the-news-7/; On a regular basis “The Monty Heat Treat News” keeps you up to date on personnel changes in the global heat treatment industry-here is this week’s update;
 
Glenn Ottinger, Vitesse Systems; Glenn Ottinger has just been appointed General Manager, USA West Coast at Vitesse Systems. Glenn spent 16 years with ThermoFusion in Hayward, CA, a commercial vacuum brazing firm and we mentioned his name recently when he left the company. “Vitesse Systems is the leading supplier of complex antenna and thermal management solutions critical to the advancement of next-generation Radar, Electronic Warfare and C4I systems.” The Vitesse portfolio includes California Brazing in Newark, CA and Nevada Heat Treat in Carson City, Nevada which is rather interesting.
 
Scott Calardo, Bodycote; Scott worked with commercial heat-treating giant Bodycote for many years, most recently as Vice President, Capital Projects for the AGI Division. However, things change and he recently parted ways with the company.
 
Christopher Feisley, Surface Combustion; Christopher has worked for furnace builder Surface Combustion of Maumee, Ohio, USA for a number of years now in different positions, recently he was appointed Product Line Manager, Batch Equipment, Engineered Products. Surface Combustion is ranked by “The Monty Heat Treat News” as one of the 10 largest furnace builders in North America-find out where at https://themonty.com/articles/10-largest-north-american-heat-treat-furnace-builders/
 
Ramiro Canales, Can-Eng Furnaces International; Ramiro was recently appointed Mechanical Project Leader at Can-Eng Furnaces International of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Ramiro has worked with Can-Eng several times in the past, proving once again that few people ever leave the heat treatment industry after getting a taste of it. Can-Eng is another company ranked by “The Monty Heat Treat News” as one of the 10 largest furnace builders in North America. https://themonty.com/articles/10-largest-north-american-heat-treat-furnace-builders/
“The Monty Heat Treat News” is far more than the heat treatment industry’s foremost source for news and trends in the industry. For instance our articles section https://themonty.com/articles-interviews/ includes these industry exclusives;
 
Meanwhile our “Interviews” section contains over 100 interviews with some of the most influential individuals in the heat treatment industry, these include;
And certainly not to be forgotten is our “Surplus Heat Treat Equipment Section” which features 100’s of listing which include Batch IQ Furnaces, Lab Equipment, Vacuum Furnaces, Induction Hardening systems, washers and tempers to name just a few.
 
So, ask not what you can do for “The Monty” but ask what “The Monty” can do for you.
 

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