An isostatic press manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio, has expanded its operations facility to increase its heat treating capacity and technological capabilities.
Amercian Isostatic Presses, Inc., which manufactures temperature and pressure products, including hot isostatic pressing (HIP), cold isostatic pressing (CIP), warm isostatic pressing (WIP), SinterHIPs, vacuum furnaces, and other equipment and accessories, serves the aerospace, automotive, energy, defense, and medical sectors.
Hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) is most commonly used in the medical and aerospace industries. The HIPing process is a high pressure, high temperature technique that can be used for both composite materials and powder metals. HIPing results in the decreased porosity in parts and a densification in powder metals.
HIPing is in an autoclave style furnace, where parts are exposed to high temperatures and high gas pressure and later cooled. Parts made of tool steel, duplex, martensitic, and austenitic stainless steels, nickel-based alloys, cobalt-based alloys, titanium and even some carbon steels are frequently HIPed. The combination of temperature and pressure reduces the part’s porosity while maintaining its original shape. Decreased porosity gives the finished component part increased mechanical properties.
For the seventh year in a row, Heat TreatToday shines the spotlight on a remarkable cast of rising young leaders in the North American heat treat industry. Forty men and women who have already made their mark on the field through innovation, service, communication, and expertise. It’s an honor and a pleasure for us to present theHeat TreatToday 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, and we hope to see all of you at this year’s Furnaces North America Show in Columbus, OH, October 14-16.
A North American furnace manufacturer recently announced plans to increase production capabilities by expanding its Ontario facility. The investment will consist of adding 45,000 square feet of modern manufacturing space as well as 18,000 square feet of office space. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete May of 2025.
CAN-ENG Furnaces International, Ltd., based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, CA, indicated the capacity expansion will be to their Plant #2 Operations in St. Catharines, Ontario. The manufacturing space will be outfitted with fabrication, assembly, and testing equipment to serve the changing needs of the industries they serve with thermal processing equipment, including stamping and fastener companies, electric vehicle and automotive component producers, the iron and steel industries, aluminum foundries, and agricultural, and construction manufacturers.
This expansion will double the current floor space and integrate enhanced overhead lifting capabilities to accommodate larger thermal processing systems being demanded by EV component and battery material processors. Upgrades include the addition of two 30-ton and two 20-ton overhead cranes to accompany the existing units presently in use. Future expansion plans that include foundation and utility upgrades have been considered during the design process.
The press release is available in its original form here.
Heat TreatToday offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 10 news items.
Equipment
Premier Furnace Specialists received orders for nine pieces of heat treating equipment to be delivered to a range of manufacturing operations, all of which are currently in various stages of completion and testing or delivery and installation.
A manufacturer in the composites industry recently received shipment of a cabinet oven from Gruenberg, an industrial oven and sterilizer manufacturer. The furnace will be used for curing composite parts under a vacuum.
A second nitriding system was installed by Nitrex to increase capacity at Balexco, an aluminum extrusion company in Bahrain focusing on increasing production capacity.
Nine furnaces in various stages of completion and testing on the floor at Premier Furnace SpecialistsGruenberg cabinet oven shipped to composites manufacturerNitrex nitriding system installed at Balexco
Company & Personnel
Greg Miller National Business Manager Superheat
Cognizant, a professional services company that helps clients modernize technology, announced intent to acquire Belcan, a global supplier of digital engineering services for multiple industries, including aerospace, defense, and automotive.
Greg Miller has joined Superheat as national business development manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Greg will continue to work from his base in Lanarkshire, Scotland, bringing experience in manufacturing and preventative maintenance, with a foundation in induction heating.
Kudos
On July 2, 2024, David Lynch celebrated 40 years with Induction Tooling, Inc. This milestone was accomplished by his commitment to excellence and consistent hard-work and dedication.
Superheat, an on-site heat treatment service provider based in New Lenos, IL, recently received two Industrial Safety Training Council (ISTC) Safety Achievement Awards: one for achieving three consecutive years with zero recordable injuries and another for celebrating five years without an OSHA lost workday case. Bret Cadenhead, regional HSE manager at Superheat, represented the company at the awards event in Beaumont, Texas.
StandardAero celebrates 60 years of providing service to Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A turboprop across four overhaul locations worldwide. In 1964, Dallas Airmotive (acquired by the company in 2021) became the first independent MRO provider to enter into a turboprop agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Centorr Vacuum Industries celebrates its 70th year in business in the vacuum furnace industry. The company was founded in Somerville, MA, as Vacuum Industries in 1954, and Centorr Furnace Company in 1962 in Suncook. NH. The two companies merged in 1989 in their current facilities in Nashua, NH.
Sławomir Woźniak, CEO of the SECO/WARWICK Group, celebrates five years in the position, managing all three brands: SECO/WARWICK, Retech, and SECO/VACUUM.
StandardAero’s engine overhaul center in San Antonio, TX, has completed correlation of its first test cell for the CFM International LEAP-1B turbofan engine, as part of its introduction of LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
Bill Stuehr (L), president & CEO of Induction Tooling, Inc., congratulates David Lynch (R) on 40 years with the companyBret Cadenhead, Superheat (R), receives ISTC Safety Achievement AwardSławomir Woźniak President & CEO SECO/WARWICK GroupCentorr Vacuum Industries, Nashua, NH, location
A Georgia-based provider of natural gas measurement and control products and solutions has announced the acquisition of a distribution and service center for the natural gas industry, extending its capabilities for heat treating manufacturers.
“We’re excited to welcome the Tri-State team to Equipment Controls,” said Jeb Bell, president of Equipment Controls Company. “Tri-State has built its reputation on a foundation of exceptional service. Their motto, ‘The Service Matters,’ resonates with our values, and we’re eager to extend that level of service to our customers.”
“We look forward to our future with ECCO. Our shared vision and complementary strengths will enable us to deliver exceptional value to our customers and the natural gas industry as a whole,” said Paul Hayes, president of Tri-State Meter and Regulator Service, Inc.
ECCO will be keeping Tri-State’s brand, team, offices, products, and service offerings.
This press release is available in its original form here.
Toyota Material Handling is investing nearly $100M for a new 295,000-square-foot facility at its Columbus, Indiana, headquarters, adding 85 manufacturing jobs by June 2026. The project will house Toyota’s manufacturing processes, which include the production of electric forklifts and material handling products.
“We are excited about this significant strategic expansion to our Columbus campus,” said Tony Miller, senior vice president of Engineering, Operations & Strategic Planning at Toyota Material Handling, at a recent groundbreaking ceremony. “Electric products are more popular than ever, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to keep up with increased demand.”
“Electric forklifts make up 65% of the North American market and this trend towards electrification in the material handling industry will continue to grow,” said Brett Wood, president & CEO of Toyota Material Handling North America and senior executive officer for Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). “This investment is one of the largest in our history and signifies TICO’s commitment to the North American market, the state of Indiana, the city of Columbus, and most importantly, our dealers and our customers.”
Photo Pictured L to R: Brett Wood, Toyota Material Handling North America President & CEO; Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana; Bill Finerty, Toyota Material Handling President & CEO; Tony Miller, Toyota Material Handling Senior Vice President of Engineering, Operations & Strategic Planning
The press release is available in its original form here.
Sign up now to attend the MET 2024 and HTS 2024 event in Mumbai, India, where new initiatives, machinery, products and technologies will be displayed and launched in a combined show, offering opportunities for Indian and international exhibitors to establish joint ventures and develop and renew contacts. Online registration is open for the September 4-6, 2024, gathering, organized by ASM International India Chapter and Tafcon.
MET (Material Engineering, Equipment and Technology Exhibition on Defence, Transportation and Alternate Energy, 5th Edition) joins HTS (The International Exhibition on Heat Treatment, 15th Edition) for a 3-day international conference headlining industry-focused addresses, plenary sessions, panel discussions, and technical presentations. The focus for the conference is on advanced materials and processes for use in defense, transport, and alternate energy sectors along with advances in heat treatment, accomplished through three parallel symposium themes:
Materials and Processing
Material Degradation and Failure Analysis
Advances in Heat Treatment
MET and HTS will bring together experts, suppliers, innovators, buyers, and decision makers from around the globe:
Participation of government departments, PSUs, corporates, SMEs, start-up organizations
Innovation/start-ups, SMEs, R&D institutes, academia, etc. showcasing global developments
Innovation pavilion inviting models/posters from entrepreneurs and engineering students
Student outreach program from the senior engineering students
MET and HTS are excited to unveil its lineup of Sponsors and Supporting Organizations for the upcoming conference and exhibition Title Sponsor for the event is JSW. Platinum Sponsors are Aditya Birla Hindalco and SECO/WARWICK. Silver Sponsors include:
Bharat Forge/Kalyani
Fluidtherm
Gefran
Suzlon
The Germany Pavilion is sponsored by VDMA.
The event is supported by the Government of India Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Steel, and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Supporting Associations are:
Heat TreatToday offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 21 news items.
Equipment
Tata Steel Meramandali, based in Odisha, India, placed an order with SMS group for the implementation of Paul Wurth coke oven gas injection technology at their Blast Furnace (BF) #1. This order is the first of its kind in India, setting a precedent for the industry’s move towards sustainable steel production. The project is expected to be commissioned by Q1 2026 and will be completed within 25 months.
Sousa Corp., based in Newington, CT, installed its second Ipsen Turbo²Treater vacuum furnace to its production line, expanding its capacity to meet demand for heat treating services to the aerospace, automotive, medical, and general manufacturing industries.
A Chinese partner has purchased a two-chamber VIM 50 kg induction furnace from SECO/WARWICK for casting gas turbine blades. The furnace will produce gas turbine blade castings in an equiaxed structure and has already obtained an export license.
The modernization of a blast furnace at Salzgitter Flachstahl AG has been completed by SMS group. The new Paul Wurth parallel hopper Bell Less Top® (BLT) installed offers enhanced efficiency with less maintenance.
Edwards AFB in California received delivery of a composition oven from DELTA H®/Phillips Federal. The equipment will be used for advanced materials applications R&D. The heat treat furnace supplier initially designed and engineered the walk-in oven using SolidWorks 3D modeling and developed the project as a “kit oven” for easy field assembly. After preassembly of key subsystems at their Carroll, OH facility, the system was shipped to Edwards AFB. The entire field assembly project required two weeks including commissioning and extensive training of USAF personnel.
Tata Steel Nederland selected Tenova to develop a new state-of-the-art steel production line in IJmuiden, the Netherlands. The overall contract will include engineering, supply, and advisory services for a three million tons electric arc furnace to meet current operational specifications (high-quality steel for the automotive sector).
Cavendish Hydrogen ASA, a subsidiary of Nel ASA,has received a purchase order from Alperia Greenpower SRL for hydrogen fueling equipment to be used for light- and heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles in Bruneck, South Tyrol, Italy. This will be Nel’s first H2Station™ installation in Italy, built for the 2026 Winter Olympics to fuel vehicles for the transfer between the Olympic sports facilities.
Newly installed material hoppers at Salzgitter Flachstahl AGCoke oven gas compressing station previously installed at HKM, GermanyDELTA H®/Phillips Federal providing composite oven for Edwards AFBLeft to right: Paolo Stagnoli (Tenova), Hans van den Berg (CEO Tata Steel Nederland), Jeroen Klumper (Tata Steel Nederland), and Nico Bleijendaal (Danieli)
Company & Personnel
StandardAero has appointed Kim Ernzen to serve as chief operating officer. In this role, Ernzen reports directly to Russell Ford, StandardAero chairman and CEO, and is responsible for global operational performance, efficiency, and excellence, as well as engineering and supply chain management for StandardAero. Additionally, StandardAero’s Engine Services and Component Repair Services division presidents will report directly to Ernzen, who will maintain close oversight of the company’s overall business performance. She replaces Kerry O’Sullivan, who is retiring from StandardAero, and will be located at the company’s Scottsdale, Arizona, headquarters office.
Steelhead Technologies launched Steelhead University, an online learning platform designed to expedite user training and streamline software implementation. The comprehensive curriculum of eight core administrative courses equips users with fundamental knowledge essential for navigating the intricacies of the company’s software.
Solar Atmospheres’ newest acquisition, Solar Atmospheres of San Diego, has announced the addition of Chris Constable as their new vice president of operations. Chris has nearly 25 years of heat treating experience that includes quality, operations, management, plant safety, business development, and sales.
Ipsen USA welcomes Max Stormo as the new Ipsen customer service (ICS) operations manager as the company streamlines its aftermarket services in Souderton, PA. Stormo comes to Ipsen after an extensive career working as a manufacturing operations leader in Texas, and a recent role as vice president of operations at a manufacturer in the Philadelphia region.
Solar Manufacturing, Inc., announced the hiring of Nicholas Max, BSME Drexel University, as its chief mechanical engineer to head up its vacuum furnace mechanical design group. Nick is also pursuing an MBA at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. He will be tasked to lead the further development of energy efficient hot zones, vacuum vessels, high pressure gas quenching systems, and vacuum pumping systems.
Ipsen USA has confirmed its commitment to the growth of the Ipsen Customer Service (ICS) Parts Department by expanding staff and implementing strategic initiatives. Christina Connelly, parts manager for Ipsen in Cherry Valley, joined the team in 2022, and has since hired six additional employees. Connelly and her veteran team members and new hires are focused on reducing turnaround time and increasing customer responsiveness.
Swiss Steel Group announced its participation in a renewable energy consortium, the “Initiative EE-Industrie.” This initiative, consisting of 19 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany, aims to build, operate and utilize wind and photovoltaic plants for self-supply with green electricity.
Kanthal and Danieli have announced a partnership to jointly scale up Kanthal’s demonstrated electric process gas direct-heating solution, Prothal® DH, to full industrial scale. With the installation in Energiron hydrogen-ready DRI plants, fully green DRI production will be achieved. Additionally, the introduction of Prothal® DH technology in blast furnace operation will reduce CO2 emissions in ironmaking.
Kim Ernzen, Chief Operating Officer at StandardAero Screenshot of Steelhead University knowledge check on adjusting powder coat recipesChris Constable, Vice President of Operations, Solar Atmospheres of San DiegoMax Stormo, Customer Service Operations Manager, Ipsen USANicholas Max, Chief Mechanical Engineer, Solar Manufacturing, Inc.Dilip Chandrasekaran, Global Business Development Manager at Kanthal (L) and Marco Lapasin, Vice President Danieli Engineering Centro Metallics
Kudos
Ipsen Global has received the German Innovation Award for the Atlas Green furnace platform, presented by The German Design Council. The award ceremony was held in Frankfurt, Germany, on May 14, celebrating the innovators that emerged from a field of 520 submissions from across 23 countries.
Industrial Steel Treating Co. was named the Manufacturer of the Year by the Jackson Area (MI) Manufacturers Association. Accepting on behalf of IST was Tim Levy, current President of IST. Members of the Levy family in attendance included current VP, Tom Levy, and former IST President, Bernard Levy. Bernard was the 2nd generation Levy family owner and spent his entire 50-year career at IST before retiring and passing the reins to his three sons in 1998.
Bluestreak Compliance™, a division of Bluestreak | Bright AM™, received approval as a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Accreditation Body (Cyber-AB). This significant achievement enables Bluestreak Compliance™ to offer expert consulting services to defense contractors and suppliers aiming to comply with CMMC cybersecurity standards and prepare for their Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) audits.
IHEA has announced Dr. Avi Shultz as keynote at the first Industrial Heating Decarbonization SUMMIT. Dr. Shultz, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), will provide the keynote address at its first summit, to be held October 28-20 at the Conrad Indianapolis.
Swiss Steel Group has launched a new website which focuses on customer needs, including a Product Finder that generates automated product suggestions based on customer requirements and specifications, and detailed information about green initiatives and sustainability as well as special requirements for steel grades for specific applications.
IHEA recently announced its 2024–25 Board of Directors and Executive Officers. Taking over as President is Jeff Rafter of Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC; Vice-President is Gary Berwick of Dry Coolers, Inc.; and Treasurer is Jason Safarz of Karl Dungs, Inc. Brian Kelly of Honeywell Thermal Solutions assumes the Past President position. Finalizing the lineup of IHEA’s Board of Directors for 2024-2025, the following members continue their tenure: Scott Bishop, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI); Bob Fincken, Super Systems, Inc.; Ben Gasbarre, Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems; Doug Glenn, Heat Treat Today; John Podach, Fostoria Infrared; John Stanley, Karl Dungs, Inc.; Michael Stowe, Advanced Energy; Helen Tuttle, WS Thermal Process Technology Inc.; and Jeff Valuck, Surface Combustion, Inc.
Dr. Bora Ozkan-Paul van Doesburg (L) and Lutz Dietzold (R) with their German Innovation AwardTim Levy (L) and Bernard Levy (R)Dr. Avi Schultz, keynote speaker at IHEA’s Industrial Heating Decarbonization SUMMITThe 2024-25 IHEA Board of Directors: Back row, left to right; John Stanley, Bob Fincken, Gary Berwick, Brian Kelly, Scott Bishop, Doug Glenn, and Jeff Rafter. Front row, left to right; Jeff Valuck, Ben Gasbarre, Helen Tuttle, IHEA Executive Vice President Anne Goyer, Jason Safarz, and John Podach. Not pictured: Michael Stowe
Each year, the 40 Under 40 initiative at Heat Treat Todayrecognizes 40 rising young leaders (ages 40 and younger) in heat treat who are going above and beyond in the industry. The 40 Under 40 initiative gives names, faces, and words to the next generation of heat treat professionals.
To learn more about what makes someone a quality candidate for this honor, read below to hear from the individuals themselves — alumni of Heat Treat Today’s40 Under 40 — as they share personal updates and industry insights.
Click this link to nominate yourself, or someone you know, by June 28, 2024.
David Cunningham
At the time of David’s nomination for Heat TreatToday’s40 Under 40 Class of 2019, he was working in Process & Mechanical Design as a heat treating furnace engineer for L&L Special Furnace Co., Inc. Here he shares an exciting career (and company) update: “The biggest change since I was nominated to Heat Treat Today’s40 Under 40 is that I have taken over ownership of L&L Special Furnace Co. I became full owner of the business in January 2023.”
David Cunningham L&L Special Furnace, Co., Inc.
Something David finds most fascinating about the heat treat industry is the number of markets it serves. He says, “I am always surprised looking through our list of customers and knowing what their processes are. I never considered how many industries utilize heat treating.”
David’s advice for the incoming 40 Under 40Class of 2024 is to “Keep learning . . . there is so much more to heat treating than just making things hot. There are so many niche markets out there. One of the things that fascinated me most was learning how the glass for the Hubble was heat treated.”
An alum of the 40 Under 40Class of 2023, Kevin describes how he rose “through the ranks” in the heat treat industry starting in 2008: “[I] started out in the field on the ground as a helper and . . . worked myself up through the ranks . . . to Level 1 technician, to Level 2 technician . . . all the way up into management.” He currently works as operations manager of heat treating at ProQual Inspections.
Kevin Norton ProQual Inspections
To Kevin, the most intriguing thing about the heat treat industry is the advancements in technology, reducing manpower and improving safety. He states that, “different processes in heat treating will go far and beyond what we currently have . . . I’m looking forward to that.”
Kevin’s advice to anyone looking to do something different in their work is to “Be inquisitive; ask questions.”
Previous to Miguel’s nomination for Heat TreatToday’s40 Under 40Class of 2023, he worked as a process engineer at Nexteer. Miguel shared an exciting career update that took place soon after: “This kind of recognition gave me a plus to be considered . . . [for] the new position I have had since last year as an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer (AME)” at Nexteer.
Miguel Zempoaltecatl Nexteer
Miguel describes what he enjoys most about working in the heat treat industry, “As a good friend . . . told me, metallurgy is the oldest of the arts but the newest of the science[s], and this relationship between metallurgy and heat treatments, gives me the opportunity to learn more every day . . . I enjoy work[ing] in this area because every day [there] are new challenges.”
Thirteen new manufacturing jobs will open up with the $23.5 million expansion of an Alabama heat containment refractory production facility. The Ohio-based company supplies products used in a variety of industrial applications, including heat treating operations.
Paul Jamieson President & CEO Allied Mineral Products
Allied Mineral Products, an Ohio-based producer of monolithic refractory ceramics, recently broke ground on the major expansion at its Pell City, Alabama, location. The growth project will add a 200,000-square-foot production facility on the company’s current site and expand the workforce with thirteen new manufacturing jobs added to the company’s current workforce of 81 full-time employees. The project is expected to be completed in late 2025, increasing the facility’s production capacity and improve efficiency. State and local officials joined executives and employees of Allied Mineral Products, LLC (Allied) at the groundbreaking ceremonies marking the investment.
“Our partnership with Alabama is strengthened yet again with the expansion of this plant which we originally built in 2019,” said Paul Jamieson, president and CEO of Allied Mineral Products. “Locating our facility in Alabama was part of a long-term strategy to expand our manufacturing presence in the south to be closer to our customers. Because of the quality of this workforce and the local support here, our growth in Alabama has been faster than we planned. We are excited to be expanding our facility so soon and are confident this will help us to continue that growth.”
The press release is available in its original form here.
