Process-Electronic Licenses Technology from Marathon
(April 30 - morning update) - Well it looks like Process-Electronic, Europe's number one sensors and controls company for heat treating, is dropping some Marathon (MMI) technology into their line of instrumentation. It looks like the idea is to make their instruments and software compatible with Marathon's instruments and software. Here's their PR:
Marathon Licenses "MMI" Protocol and Recipe Language to Process-Electronic
27 April 2007 - Process-Electronic has recently been licensed to use the proprietary communications protocols and recipe language used in Marathon instrumentation and software products. This makes Process-Electronic the only vendor other than Marathon that has the legal rights to use this technology in both instrument and software products.
As a result of this license, Process-Electronic's instrumentation and software solutions will be compatible with a full range of existing and legacy software and hardware products developed and sold by Marathon over the last twenty-five years.
ABOUT PROCESS-ELECTRONIC
For over 30 years, Process Electronic has been specializing in the design and implementation of industrial control systems. The company designs various types of controllers and develops software modules adaptable to different industrial environments. Its specialty resides in automating heat treating facilities, including nitriding, hardening, carburizing, quenching and other processes as well as related equipment and functions such as industrial washing units, data acquisition, quality and remote plant operation.
Combustol Expands Nitrocarburizing Capacity with Nitrex-engineered Furnace
(April 24 - evening update) - With this latest addition, Combustol of Sao Paul, Brazil increases its nitriding/nitrocarburizing capacity to some 16,500 lbs per day. Here's the PR from Nitrex:
Combustol's Sao Paulo, Brazil service center has expanded its commercial heat treatment capacity with the addition of a BTQ-669 horizontal batch nitriding furnace. The Nitrex engineered system, which has been on-stream since the start of the year, is equipped with the Nitreg®-C technology for nitrocarburizing pneumatic components for a major automotive supplier. The new furnace was installed alongside two existing Nitrex nitriding pit-type furnaces and will increase Combustol's nitriding/nitrocarburizing capacity to approximately 7500 kg (16,500 lbs) per day.
ABOUT NITREX METAL INC.
Nitrex Metal is a key supplier of automated, turnkey heat treating systems for nitriding and nitrocarburizing applications and operates a network of commercial heat treating facilities across North America. To date, the company has over 200 installations in plants worldwide and has licensed its technology to commercial heat treating companies in Australia, Brazil, UK, France, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, UAE, UK, and USA.
Anonymous News Editorial
(April 24 - evening update) - We get a fair bit of anonymous email with things ranging from slurs of people or companies in the industry to truly newsworthy items.
Sometimes these items are about people's personal lives, not business, and so they fall somewhere closer to gossip than news even if true and even if supported by stories in the mainstream media.
We don't report these items.
People's personal lives are not heat treat news.
DaimlerChrysler Chooses Wilhem Alte GmbH & Process-Electronic
(April 23 - evening update) - We receieved today this PR from Process-Electronic, Europe's leading manufacturer of sensors and controls for heat treating. It appears that DaimlerChrysler is expanding on an existing PE control/SCADA system by adding another furnace:
Process-Electronic has partnered again with Wilhem Alte GmbH, a German manufacturer of industrial furnaces, to supply DaimlerChrysler Berlin with a continuous furnace line equipped with Process-Electronic‘s control system for hardening bolts and gears of passenger car engines used in the Mercedes-Benz and Smart model series. The furnace is fully automated using a PLC-based system comprised of the Protherm 600 for real-time supervision and accurate process control. The furnace will also be tied into the Protherm 9000 plant automation system by Process-Electronic. The automation structure, implemented several years ago, currently consists of 6 chamber furnaces as well as material handling and storage systems. Furnace start-up and its integration to the automation platform were completed in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Eric Schreiber Promoted to Team Leader at SECO/WARWICK
(April 23 - evening update) - Eric Schreiber has been with SECO/WARWICK for over 11 years and was recently promoted to team leader for their US thermal process/CAB brazing team as noted in today's PR from SECO:
Jeffrey Boswell, SECO/WARWICK Group President has appointed Eric Schreiber, Thermal Process Team Leader. Mr. Schreiber has been employed by SECO/WARWICK for over 11 years, and has served as Project Engineer for projects, field service and sales applications. As Team Leader, Mr. Schreiber will be responsible for all of the sales, marketing, engineering and field service activities for atmosphere furnaces, protective atmospheres and CAB/ CuproBraze® equipment.
Mr. Schreiber holds a Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology from Gannon University
The Bodycote / Sulzer Saga Continues
(April 23 - morning update) - With the recent news that a Russian company bought a large (but not controlling) chunk of Sulzer, the Swiss company that has been courting Bodycote, many think the moves toward Bodycote are over.
Analysts cited in today's Financial Times of London, however, think that the presence of one of Russia's richest men as Sulzer's biggest shareholder may give Sulzer just what it needs (lots of cash) to finally buy Bodycote.
Time will tell.
New Axle Plant for Marysville, MI
(April 19 - morning update) - Even though many are convinced that Chrysler will soon be sold off, there is news today that they are ready to replace their 90-year-old Detroit Axle facility. The aging facility will be replaced with a $700-million plant that will employ about 900 people.
There are also reports today that Chrysler is preparing to announce plans for a new engine plant in Trenton, MI. The new plant would be built next to its existing one and for form the basis for Chryslers Phoenix project which aims to consolidate Chrysler four different six-cylinder models into a single design.
Bodycote Rejects Fourth Offer from Sulzer AG
(April 18 - morning update) - Sulzer finally came back to Bodycote with a 332p per share offer today which Bodycote swiftly rejected. We've said all along it would take 365p+ for this acquisition so the latest offer clearly indicates that Sulzer is not entirely serious and, as noted below, may just be going through this process to fend off a company trying to buy THEM!
Bodycote Shares Drop on Word that Sulzer AG is Acquisition Target
(April 18 - morning update) - Bodycote's share price has been buoyed in recent weeks owing to the aggressive courting of Sulzer AG. Some have speculated all along that Sulzer wasn't serious and was only posturing to fend off the interest of a company that wanted to buy Sulzer, and it appears those folks were right.
Today word is out that Austrian-based Victory, and investment firm, is out to buy Sulzer.
Algoma Agrees to $1.6 Billion Takeover by Essar Global (India)
(April 18 - morning update) - One more North American steel company gobbled up by foreign investment...Algoma Steel Inc., of Ontario, Canada has agreed to a $1.6 billion purchase offer from Essar Global Ltd of India.
Algoma produces flat-rolled material from thin-cast slabs and had 2006 shipments of 2.4 million tons.
Virginia Tech Shootings
(April 17 - morning update) - Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of yesterday's victims as well as to the students and faculty of VT who survived that tragic day.
UAW "Not Giving Up" on American Axle's Buffalo Plant
(April 17 - morning update) - We have news today that the UAW's president is working to avoid the closure of American Axle's Buffalo plant that makes SUV drivetrains, mainly for GM:
American Axle & Manufacturing is preparing to close its Buffalo plant, according to the United Autoworkers union, which represents workers at the plant. AA&M has declined to comment on the report, which emerged from statements by the UAW leadership during an online forum on Thursday.
The UAW president Ron Gettelfinger revealed the news, but added that "we are in negotiations in an attempt to have new work brought into the plant." Gettelfinger continued: "We recognize this is a difficult challenge, but we are not giving up on this effort."
In a January 11 news release, AA&M announced plans to idle a portion of its U.S. production capacity dedicated to the mid-size light truck product range. The Buffalo plant produces drivetrain components for pick-ups and SUVS, mostly for General Motors Corp. vehicles. Local reports estimate the plant's workforce at 650. The company also has plants in nearby Cheektowaga and Tonawanda, NY.
American Axle instituted a buyout program last fall, at the time saying it was trying “to realign (its) production capacity and cost structure to current and projected operational and market requirements.” The buyouts resulted in nearly 1,500 employee severances, and it was at the conclusion of that effort that AA&M indicated it was planning "other capacity rationalization initiatives."
Job Searches and Applications WAY up
(April 13 - morning update) - We're not sure exactly why but this last month saw a huge spike in job searches and applications on our CareerBuilder-sponsored page. We normally get about a hundred or so searches per month and fewer than a dozen actual job applications, but last month we had about one-thousand searches and ten times the number of applications. Not sure what that says about the market other than there must be people out there posting jobs and hiring!
Deadline for Sulzer AG's Bodycote Takeover Bid Announced
(April 13 - morning update) - Today the UK's Takeover Panel warned Sulzer AG that it must either "put up or shut up" regarding its potential bid for Bodycote.
The panel has given Sulzer AG until April 27 to make a firm offer for Bodycote or walk away from the deal.
Sulzer AG's Shareholders Authorize Financing for Bodycote Takeover Bid
(April 12 - morning update) - A bit of an update on that Sulzer takeover of Bodycote story from last month. As you probably remember, Sulzer made a $2 billion offer for Bodycote that was rejected.
After that Sulzer went to its shareholders seeking permission to sell stock equal to one-fifth of its current market valuation in order to go back to Bodycote with another (possibly hostile) bid.
Well, it turns out the shareholders agreed and now Sulzer is in the process of raising that capital. For the record, Sulzer's current share value is somewhere around $5 billion, meaning it can raise another $1 billion or so to go after Bodycote. We're still guessing their next offer to come in somewhere near $2.26 billion.
Gary Armour Returns to SECO/WARWICK
(April 11 - morning update) - After ten years working in commercial heat treating, Gary Armour has returned to SECO/WARWICK where he previously held multiple jobs over a span of some 25 years. Here's SECO's PR on his return:
Meadville, PA USA Apr 10, 2007 Gary Armour returns to SECO/WARWICK this year as a Project Engineer for the Thermal Process Group. Mr. Armour worked for SECO/WARWICK for a period of 25 years serving as Field Service Engineer, Project Engineer and Product Manager for Vacuum Systems. He has spent the past 10 years working in Commercial Heat Treating.
Mr. Armour holds a Bachelor of Science, Metallurgical Engineering from Grove City College and has served on the Board of the local chapter of the American Society of Metals (ASM International) throughout his career. He has served as instructor and speaker at national and international conferences and seminars, as well as technical handbook contributions to ASM International and Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Timken Orders Precision Sizing Mill from SMS Meer
(April 10 - morning update) - It wasn't too long ago that Timken said they would close their Canton facilities...then the market soared and today they're investing in most of their facilities, including those in Canton. This news comes from SMS Meer:
The Timken Co. has placed an order with SMS Meer, Germany, for the expansion of its existing bar mill at the Harrison Steel Mill in Canton. Timken’s objectives for the project include extending the product size range, increasing mill capacity, and improving product quality. Following the expansion, Timken will be able to produce SBQ bars from 25 to 170 mm round, with sizes up to 127 mm.
The expansion comprises a three-roll Precision Sizing Block, PSM® (precision sizing mill), and a new bar finishing end with cooling bed, cutting units and loading facilities. The PSM will be installed downline of the existing rolling mill, allowing smaller sizes to be produced and close rolling tolerances to be achieved. The PSM will also permit the use of a standardized pass design in the roughing and intermediate mill (One-Family Rolling) and the infinitely variable production of finished sizes by means of roll adjustment (Free-Size-Rolling).
China's Baosteel Aiming for the Top
(April 10 - morning update) - Baosteel is the largest steel maker in China. In 2006 Baosteel produced some 21.74 million metric tons of raw steel. This year its target is 23.27 million metric tons.
Baosteel now says it plans to double its output to 50 million metric tons by 2012. At that level it would become one of the top three steel producers in the world.
Could Chrysler Become a Private, Employee-Owned Company?
(April 6 - evening update) - One of the recent bids for the struggling (yet highly profitable last year) Chrysler unit of DaimlerChrysler is none other than former shareholder, Kirk Kerkorian. Kerkorian dumped his shares over disagreements with how Chrysler was being run and has returned with a $4.5 Billion CASH offer for Chrysler.
The proposed offer would require some major changes in labor contracts that Kerkorian is reportedly ready to offset by offering ownership stakes to the UAW and its members.
No clue if this will go through (it's not the highest offer, but it is a cash offer), but it's an interesting idea.
We still find it strange that Daimler is to hot to dump the unit that kept them in the black last year. Probably just that "what have you done for me lately" thing.
Beijing Waves Sells First Solar Vacuum Furnace in China
(April 4 - evening update) - Some news about Solar's ongoing growth is that the long-time VFS rep in China, Beijing Waves, has sold Solar Manufacturing's first furnace in mainland China. Beijing Waves sold VFS for nearly 15 years and arguably kept them in business during some of the lean years.
Ipsen recently consolidated the Ipsen and VFS sales channels and, as part of the reorganization, opted to sell the VFS brand through Ipsen's China company.
Here's Solar's PR on the sale:
Souderton, PA – Solar Manufacturing announces an order for a horizontal loading vacuum furnace from a major powder metal manufacturer in Xi’an, China.
The furnace features a high efficiency, graphite insulated hot zone for operating temperatures up to 2650°F. The work zone measures 42” wide x 42” high x 60” deep and a gross load capacity of 3500 pounds. Molybdenum elements will heat work loads rapidly while improved, tapered graphite gas nozzles will direct quench gas onto the work load for optimum gas cooling. A diffusion pumping system is used for high vacuum applications up to 10-6 Torr. The newly designed, external gas quench system will consist of a 100 HP motor, fan wheel, heat exchanger, and diffuser.
Solar Manufacturing manufactures vacuum heat treating and brazing furnaces and offers replacement hot zones for various vacuum furnace brands. To learn more about their diverse product line, contact Peter Reh, Vice President of Sales, Rick Jones, International Sales Manager or Dennis Hiddemen, Aftermarket Sales Manager at 267-384-5040 or pkr@solarmfg.com , rick@solarmfg.com, or drh@solarmfg.com . More information can also be found at www.solarmfg.com.
Tentative Deal Reached in Inco Strike (Nickel News)
(April 4 - evening update) - It probably gave more than a few heat treaters the heebie jeebies when support employees at Inco walked of the job in a strike. The good news is that it was only a one day strike as a tentative deal has already been reached and the impact on nickel prices was minimal if any at all looking at our latest nickel pricing graphs.
Here's a snippet from an article on the subject: (read the full articlehere - the very latest nickel prices are always on the right and updated every business day)
Wary of further production disruptions, CVRD Inco Ltd. agreed to a tentative contract deal with striking support staff in Sudbury, ending a one-day strike that effectively shut down the company's nickel mines in the area.
Pickets posted Sunday by the 330 striking workers prevented management from gaining access to the six Sudbury mine operations, which account for roughly 4 per cent of the world's supply. As well, the strike by the office and technical workers was widely supported by 3,500 production and maintenance workers.
“They basically refused to cross the picket line. So technically, 330 office and tech members shut the company down,” said Dan Serre, unit president of United Steelworkers union local 2020, which represents the support staff including accountants, environmental scientists, geologists and office workers.
Faced with the prospect of a prolonged production slowdown, company representatives resumed negotiations with union leaders including Mr. Serre at 11 p.m. Sunday evening. By 4 a.m. Monday a deal had been reached.
Chongqing Heat Treat Show Photos
(April 4 - evening update) - We try to get you news and photos from around the world and this week we have a series of photos from last week's heat treat expo in Chongqing, China:
Above is a shot of the MMI-China booth (Marathon's Chinese subsidiary)
Here's a shot of Ulvac's booth
Finally a shot of the fast-rising PowerMax furnaces.
In Spite of Woes, GM Pension Doing Well
(April 2 - evening update) - In a day where we see companies like United Airlines ditching their pension plans and companies like Ford and Delphi considering weakening their plans, it's a nice change to to hear some good news for retirees. Interestingly that good news for retirees comes from none other than General Motors.
It turns out that GM made a killing by borrowing a ton of money (over $13 billion) in 2003 and dumping it into their pension fund. That fund then soared and then later shifted $19 billion of it into highly secure bonds.
The short version is that GM's pension fund is well funded and secured for decades to come. Good news if your with GM and a good lesson for other companies: when you have the money, fund those pensions and don't rely on big profits in later years.
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