Letter from the Publisher: Why You Should Have Been at THERMPROCESS

Heat Treat Today publishes eight print magazines a year and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter first appeared in Heat Treat Today's August 2023 Automotive Heat Treating print edition.

There was something qualitatively different about this year’s THERMPROCESS event than all the other events I’ve attended — and it was “all good” for North America, especially the U.S. For those who might not know about THERMPROCESS, it is the largest high-temperature thermal processing event in the world. It is held every four years in Düsseldorf, Germany. It is roughly three to four times the size of either the ASM Heat Treat Show or Furnaces North America — North America’s two largest thermal processing events — and draws significantly more attendees from nearly everywhere in the world . . . EXCEPT North America. More on that below. THERMPROCESS is held concurrently with three other metals-related events. Combined, they are called Bright World of Metals, and this year they drew a combined 63,300 visitors from 114 countries.

Cleanest Shirt in the Dirty Laundry

What made this year’s event qualitatively different from past events was the demonstrable interest in the North American market. Here’s a quick story to demonstrate this point. At each THERMPROCESS since 1999, I spend the bulk of my time walking around visiting other exhibitors, because they are either current Heat Treat Today advertisers or prospects. The first question I ask prospects is, “Do you currently or are you interested in selling your product into the North American market?” In years past, a large number of the exhibitors said “no.” Not this time. My wife, who graciously joined me in 2019 and this year, mentioned the obvious difference between 2019 and 2023. She noted that nearly everyone was interested in talking with us once they found out that we were able to help them enter or grow their presence in the North American market. Being from North America where we hear daily that our economy is on the verge of collapse, this unusually intense interest in the North American market was somewhat perplexing. Nonetheless, that was the response. More and more European, Asian, and even South American companies are showing interest in bringing their wares to our shores. While it is true the U.S. and other North American economies are not as good as they could be, we are still the “least worst” of world economies . . . and apparently the rest of the world sees us as an example of economic growth for the next decade at least.

You Should Have Been There

This brings me to the main message of this column: You should have been there! If you work for a manufacturer who has in-house heat treat operations, a commercial heat treater, or a supplier to the North American thermal processing market, you should have been there! The breadth of technologies and variety of capabilities on display is unparalleled. There was something for everyone. Besides, it is a GREAT cultural experience to attend this event and spend some time in the evenings in Düsseldorf’s Altstadt (old city) enjoying some Altbier, excellent food, and outstanding people watching!

THERMPROCESS Visits

This page gives a preview of several THERMPROCESS visits. You can find a more complete group of photos toward the end of this edition. See pages 50- 51.

Contact Doug Glenn at doug@heattreattoday.com

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