Today we are excited to be speaking with Mr. Ryan Mclaughlin, General Manager of furnace builder “McLaughlin Furnace Group” of Avilla, Indiana, USA. Ryan it was back in December, 2023 that we last had a chance for an in-depth discussion, to refresh your memory that interview can be found at “Ben Tackett, Ryan McLaughlin-The Interview”. I always enjoy these “follow up” interviews as they give us a chance to see what has changed.

1. We were chatting the other day and you mentioned how “McLaughlin” just received an order for a pit nitriding system along with several other inquiries which you are optimistic will turn into orders. What can you share with us about the order and can you give us your thoughts on why gas nitriding inquiries appear to be ramping up these days? 

   A: I can’t share all the specifics, but I can say that the order is for a gas-fired pit nitriding furnace that includes a McLaughlin dissociator/incinerator system. This is a dual-function unit that produces dissociated ammonia while also handling  exhaust incineration in a single integrated system. We have installed quite a few of these systems and have had great customer feedback.
   
   As for the increase in nitriding demand, I believe it’s driven by a continuous push across industries for improved part performance and extended life. Additionally, our recent increase in inquiries is largely due to our ability to offer shorter lead times and our flexibility in customizing equipment to meet specific customer requirements.

2. Historically has nitriding been a “core competency” at McLaughlin or is this a market that you are growing into as market demand grows?A: Nitriding has been part of our capabilities in the past, but I would say it’s an area we are now actively strengthening. Our goal is to add nitriding furnaces as a core product line that we are known for. We are investing time, resources, and engineering focus into this market because we see strong long-term demand and opportunity.

3. At the “FNA” show in Indianapolis you introduced a brand new product for the company, a “TRU-CRYOTHERM” about which you were very excited. Perhaps you could tell us what this product is and what market niche it fills?

   A: The TRU-CRYOTHERM is a dual-process system that combines a cryogenic freezer with elevated temperature capabilities, operating across a wide range from -300°F to 1200°F. This versatility allows customers to perform both deep cryogenic treatment and thermal processing within a single unit.We offer fully customizable sizes and configurations, including direct gas-fired designs. The product fills a gap in the market where there are limited solutions offering this combined capability. Our approach focuses on delivering industrial-grade, robust equipment that meets demanding production environments while providing long-term reliability.

4. Has it been a successful product line for you? Perhaps another way of phrasing this question is how many units have you sold and how many do you predict for 2026

   A: Yes, it has been a successful launch for us. To date, we have sold five TRU-CRYOTHERM units. Looking ahead, we are targeting to double that number in 2026 as awareness grows and more customers recognize the value of this technology and the McLaughlin’s quality.

5. Out of all of the product lines you offer which one would you say has proven to be the most successful? Let me put is another way-is there anything you offer where you feel absolutely, 100% confident that it is the best offering in the industry bar none?

   A: Without question, our TRU-MIX generator stands out as a best-in-class product. Over the past year, we have achieved record sales for this system, which validates its performance and reliability.These units have transformed customer operations by providing consistent, high-quality atmosphere control—something that is critical in heat treating. Many customers struggle with gas consistency, but once a TRU-MIX generator is installed, that concern is essentially eliminated. It allows them to focus on other aspects of their operation.

6. McLaughlin Furnace Group since day 1 has been extremely successful in a particular style of furnace, a style which many in the industry probably don’t associate with the company-carbottom furnaces. I am sure our readers would like to know why you excel at this product, how many you have built over the years and what is the largest you have built?

   A: Car bottom furnaces align extremely well with our core strengths heavy fabrication, pulse-fired combustion systems, and custom engineering.Over the years, we have built more than 15 car bottom furnaces. We have built car bottoms ranging from over 50 feet long and 25 feet wide to much smaller units. Beyond size, our real strength lies in custom engineering solutions that significantly improve process efficiency and cycle times for our customers.

7. The most popular style of furnace in North America by a very wide margin is the tried and true batch IQ furnace (sealed quench for our European readers). It is also the hardest market for new (or newer) furnace builders to break into as there are a couple of long entrenched suppliers in the industry. You broke into this market 3 or 4 years ago-are you continuing to make in roads into this arena?

   A: Absolutely. We are currently building multiple units and continuing to expand our presence in this market. Our TRU-CARB IQ furnace is designed to be one of the most innovative and consistent systems available. We’ve focused heavily on performance, repeatability, and ease of operation and maintenance, which is helping us gain traction even in a competitive market.

8. I have run across a couple of very large projects “McLaughlin” has been involved with over the years either completed or partly completed. Are you able to share any details about these projects?

   A: While we’ve discussed several new equipment projects already, I also want to highlight our rebuild and retrofit capabilities. This is an area where we bring a unique perspective.We help customers upgrade and modernize their existing equipment rather than replacing it entirely. In many cases, we’ve been able to significantly improve performance and extend equipment life while saving customers substantial capital investment.

9. Back in 2023 I asked you and Ben to make a prediction about the heat treating market in 2024. At the time Ryan you said you didn’t have time to think about a recession and that your were predicting a great 2024. Ben concurred with that statement. So did you prove to be correct about a very good 2024.

   Yes, it did. We saw continued growth in 2024 and 2025, and overall, it has been a very strong period for us and for the industry.

10. Last question Ryan, what can we expect to see from “McLaughlin” in 2026? New technologies? Acquisitions perhaps? Growth into oversea markets?

    You can expect continued growth and expansion across several key areas. We will be increasing our presence in nitriding, cryogenic systems, and car bottom furnaces. In addition, we are expanding our service and support footprint across the United States.Overall, 2026 will be focused on scaling our capabilities, strengthening our product lines, and continuing to deliver high-quality, customized solutions to our customers.