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Pat Torok Appointed V.P. of North America Heat Treat at United Process Controls

(September 2 - morning update) - Looks like United Process Controls is brining in the ringer with the appointment of Pat Torok to handle heat treating in North America for their combined companies. Pat, of course, is a former VP for Waukee/FCC and MMI and is the inventor of the first widely-used portable IR system for heat treating. Here's the PR:

United Process Controls is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Torok to the position of Vice President of Sales & Marketing - Heat Treat for the UPC group.

Pat joins us with over 25 years of experience in the design, marketing and implementation of metals heat treat process controls and sensors. Pat's previously held positions within the group companies include a 13 year tenure at Marathon Monitors where he co-authored the industry's first heat treat specific data acquisition system-Process Master.  He held various other positions within MMI including VP of sales and marketing.  Pat was President/Owner of Triadx manufacturing where he developed the FurnaceDoctor® heat treat gas analyzer, and later became VP of Engineering and Technology for Furnace Control/Waukee.  Pat recently joins us from Danaher Industrial Controls (West/Partlow/PMA) where he was Director of NA Systems Business.

"Bringing into UPC such a knowledgeable and energetic person as Pat Torok is a boost to our already very strong management team," said Paul Oleszkiewicz, Vice President of UPC, "Our global position of leader in heat treatment controls is enhanced by his experience." Pat will be charged with development and implementation of a unified market strategy for North America. UPC group companies include Furnace Control, Marathon Monitors, Nitrex Metal, Process-Electronic, and Waukee Engineering.



ABOUT UNITED PROCESS CONTROLS
United Process Controls is an alliance of five recognized companies within the heat treating industry (Furnace Controls, Marathon Monitors, Nitrex Metal, Process-Electronic and Waukee Engineering) that share a common goal to provide prime control solutions through their worldwide sales and services network with easy-to-access local support.

Bodycote Sells Testing Services, Hubbard to Step Down

(September 2 - morning update) - Bodycote has sold its testing business in a news story over at Industrial Heating. You can read that news here.

We've also heard that Bodycote CEO John Hubbard has announced that he will step down as soon as his successor is found. Hubbard has run Bodycote for the last six years and we're sure he's excited to get back to some good Southwestern cuisine and open roads. Not that the Chile Colorado in Manchester UK is terrible or anything...it just tastes a bit like Vindaloo.

Guest Editorial from Ken Hinckley

(August 11 - morning update) - Anyone whose been in the industry a long time or spent much time around MTI meetings likely knows Ken Hinckley. Ken is a long-time heat treater who lately spends much of his time in Thailand. Today we have a some words from Ken regarding what he says is the baloney press coverage of the falling dollar helping the trade deficit. Comments welcomed:

• Trade volume between the US and Thailand in 2006 was approximately $30 billion.

• That is, we exported approximately $8 billion to Thailand and imported $22 billion from them.
• That constitutes a trade deficit on our part of $14 billion.

• Now we have exported $10.64 billion and imported $16.54 billion.
• The $14 billion trade deficit has dwindled down to $5.9 billion.
• According to the government we have closed the trade gap by $8.1 billion.

Ipsen Supplies a Third TurboTreater® to Nevada Heat Treating

(August 6 - morning update) - Here's the latest PR from Ipsen regarding delivery of one of their well-known TurboTreater furnaces to Nevada Heat Treating:

United Process Controls Upgrades MAHLE Heat Treat Facility

(August 5 - morning update) - Based on the number of PRs of late it looks like the five companies that make-up the relatively new United Process Controls (Furnace Control Corp., Marathon Monitors Inc., Nitrex Metal, Process-Electronic and Waukee Engineering) have been quite busy.

Today's release is about a controls and software upgrade at the MAHLE facility in Russellville, AK. Here's the full release:

Marathon Monitors Inc., a member of United Process Controls (UPC) recently upgraded the North Plant at MAHLE Group's Russellville, Arkansas plant. MAHLE, a leading designer and manufacturer of automotive parts, updated the plant with advanced controls and SCADA from UPC.

The system upgrade is based on the industry tested and established MMI DualPro controller and a custom-designed SCADA system. "United Process Controls sent the MMI field guys out and did the whole upgrade in just a couple days," says heat treat manager, Rodney Moore (right).

"At UPC we work with the customer on a virtual prototype of the SCADA system over the Internet so we can dial in the customer requirements before we ever step foot in the plant" said Marathon's Engineering Director, Paul Barker.

MAHLE plans to extend this upgrade to their South Plant in the near future.

Marathon Monitors Inc. is a leading supplier of heat treating and combustion control systems. As part of United Process Controls, Marathon products are sold, supported and serviced world-wide and integrate seamlessly with products from UPC's member companies. www.marathonmonitors.com - www.group-upc.com.

Another Heat Treat Supplier Wins an Export Award

(August 4 - morning update) - Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio recently announced the Ohio Excellence in Exporting Awards for 2008. 

This year, 24 companies received the honor for exporting products from Ohio and supporting the economy of the state. Of the 24 companies, 2 were awarded Exporter of the Year 2008, one in the small and medium category and the other in the large company category.

Last year's winner of the overall Exporter of the Year was Marathon Sensors (Marathon Monitors), beating out 30 other companies in Ohio that received the "Excellence in Exporting" award.

Following on Marathon's success last year, another heat treat supplier, Super Systems Inc., was given one of this year's 23 "Excellence in Exporting" awards for 2008.

Beating out Super Systems and the other 21 "Excellence in Exporting" award winners, the big winners this year were Select Sires (small to medium companies) and Lincoln Electric (large companies).

Select Sires sells frozen bull semen.

Lincoln Electric is a global leader in the brazing and alloys equipment market.

Companies can only be considered for the Exporter of the Year award once every three years.

For the full release from the state of Ohio, go to http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/releases/1949.asp.

Bodycote Results

(July 31 - morning update) - Bodycote recently released their latest results. The short version is a 4.9% profit increase on a 20.5% revenue increase. Definitely a good result considering both the slump in manufacturing and the low dollar with Bodycote owning so many plants in North America. You can read the whole report here. Here's the quick recap:

 - Revenue from continuing operations increased by 20.5% to £382.6 million (H1
    2007: £317.6 million)
 - Headline operating profit1 grew by 8.9% to £52.5 million (H1 2007: £48.2 million)
 - Operating profit ahead 6.7% at £50.8 million (H1 2007: £47.6 million)
 - Headline profit before tax2 up 7.4% to £46.4 million (H1 2007: £43.2 million)
 - Profit before tax improved by 4.9% to £44.7 million (H1 2007: £42.6 million)
 - Operating cash flow3 increased by 20.8% to £29.0 million (H1 2007: £24.0 million)
 - Basic headline earnings per share4 lifted by 4.9% to 10.8p (H1 2007: 10.3p)
 - Basic earnings per share increased 2.0% to 10.3p (H1 2007: 10.1p)
 - Interim dividend increased by 7.3% to 2.95 pence per share (H1 2007: 2.75p)

No More Leased Vehicles from Chrysler

(July 31 - afternoon update) - Starting tomorrow you will no longer be able to lease a vehicle from Chrysler LLC. The move is a drastic attempt to avoid the losses Chrysler has seen on returned vehicles with sharply lower residual values than expected thanks to high gasoline costs and the corresponding drop in demand for its trucks, SUVs and gas-guzzling cars such as the 300C.

Unfortunately for Chrysler this may be a no-win situation since leases account for a very large portion of Chrysler's total new vehicle sales.

The change is having a positive short-term outcome, however, with CNN reporting that Chrysler's sales have soared with customer's trying to get leases in the last few days of July.

Toyota Sees Hard Times Ahead

(July 29 - morning update) - Only a few days after beating GM is quarterly auto sales, Toyota has revised its forecasts for the year downward based on sluggish North American Sales. Read the full story here.

Gas Prices Tumbling - Time to Lock-in?

(July 29 - morning update) - It was only a couple weeks ago that we were lamenting skyrocketing natural gas prices. Well if you take a look at our chart (provided courtesy of Power Market Today) over to the right, you'll see gas futures tumbling! This is a good thing for those who didn't already lock-in their natural gas prices.

Nitrex Lands Two-Furnace Repeat Order from MAHLE

(July 22 - morning update) - Nitrex, as pretty much everyone knows, was a pioneer in high-quality nitriding processes and is currently the benchmark by which all such systems are judged. As part of United Process Controls they have a support network that's frankly hard to beat.

No surprise to see MAHLE going with them again for their nitriding needs. Here's the PR:

MAHLE Group, a leader in the design and production of piston systems, has purchased two complete NX-1015 gas nitriding systems for its new plants in China and Mexico. These Nitrex systems will process piston rings using the Nitreg®-S controlled nitriding technology for stainless steels and enable Mahle to meet its requirements for high manufacturing and quality standards. This represents Mahle's eighth and ninth systems for use in piston ring manufacturing. The decision to reorder was based on the success achieved with the equipment and technology previously supplied to the group's operations in Brazil and Portugal. The orders are scheduled for installation during the 3rd quarter of the year at the facilities in Ying Kou, China and Aguascalientes, Mexico.


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 250 installations in plants worldwide and has licensed its technology to commercial heat treating companies in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Italy, South Korea, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, UK, and USA.
Nitrex Metal is a member of United Process Controls, an alliance of five recognized companies within the heat treating industry that share a common goal to provide prime control solutions through their worldwide sales and services network with easy-to-access local support.

Bidding War for Bodycote Test Business

(July 14 - afternoon update) - On the topic of Bodycote (see next item) it's worth nothing that six private equity firms have made it to the second round of Bodycote's "auction" of is testing business. Bodycote is hopeing to garner some 400 million pounds ($800 million) for the business unit. You can read the story here.

Bodycote Makes First French Acquisition

(July 14 - afternoon update) - I'm pretty sure there are quite a few Bodycote facilities in France, but the wire claims that Bodycote said this was their first acquisition in France. I suppose that means the previously bought someone who owned some French facilities or maybe they just meant the testing services group. Anyway, here's the PR:

Bodycote has bought Toulouse-based materials testing laboratory Centech for an undisclosed sum, according to a statement issued at the Farnborough Air Show today.

The Macclesfield-based engineering group said the deal was its first acquisition in France.

Centech’s customers include Airbus, French jet engine maker Snecma and General Electric Aircraft Engines and its services include mechanical testing, machining and failure analysis of metallic and composite materials.

Sean Kerr, Bodycote Testing's managing director Europe, said: "The acquisition of Centech, with its close links with Airbus France, not only dovetails perfectly with our existing business, but gives us further opportunities for expansion into the European market."

Gas Prices Going Through the Roof

(July 8 - afternoon update) - In case you haven't been watching the handy-dandy chart over to the right side of this window that gives you the very latest on natural gas prices here's some news - it's heading up. It was just a few months back we were below $9 and now we're pushing $14. And it's not just natural gas, but propane and nitrogen and, heck, I suppose Helium's probably up too. I guess we can take some solace in the reasonable nickel costs of late.

Ford and GM Riding High!

(July 8 - morning update) - ...in China that is. Yes, two of the "big three" US auto makers - you know the ones that reported sales down between 21-30% just a week back - are reporting strong sales in China. Overall, GM's sales in China grew about 13% and Ford's grew abut 21%. Not nearly enough to offset North American sales drops, but good news for sure. I guess the pressure is on Chrysler for some good news now.

Derek Dennis Joins Solar Atmospheres of California

(July 1 - morning update) - For those who don't know that Solar Atmospheres is opening a facility in California, well, now you do. The man to head that operation is its new president, Derek Dennis. Here's the full Press Release:

Delphi Looks to Sell Global Exhaust Business

(July 1 - morning update) - Well-known auto parts giant, Delphi is looking to sell its exhaust business as part of its ongoing transformation plan. Here's a brief bit from the press release:

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., — Delphi Corporation (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ) today announced that it is seeking buyers for its global exhaust business as part of the company's transformation plan.

The business to be sold relates to the design and manufacture of the exhaust system front exhaust module ("hot end") including catalytic converters and exhaust manifolds. The business serves more than 10 major customers and includes sites in Blonie, Poland; Clayton, Australia; Gurgaon, India; and Port Elizabeth, South Africa; as well as joint venture interests in Shanghai, China; and Monterrey, Mexico; and technical centers in Auburn Hills and Flint, Michigan; and Bascharage, Luxembourg.

Although Delphi intends to divest its exhaust business, the company intends to continue to provide full engine management systems, including air and fuel management, and combustion and valve-train technology.

Additionally, Delphi's non-equity based alliance with Belgium-based Bosal Group to offer complete exhaust systems will be terminated by mutual agreement. The alliance was announced in the spring of 2005. Delphi and Bosal together provided customized exhaust systems for automotive and commercial vehicle manufacturers worldwide to meet stringent exhaust emissions standards and reduce engine noise.

Pending Court approval, Delphi will retain Lincoln International, a leading global mid-market investment bank, to explore sale opportunities. Parties interested in Delphi's exhaust business should contact Robert Satow at (+1) 212.277.8102 or rsatow@lincolninternational.com. 

MAHLE Acquires Oil Pump Manufacturer ENTEC

(July 1 - morning update) - It wasn't that long ago that a major pump manufacturer (Sulzer) was making noises about buying Heat Treating Biggie Bodycote. Well today we hear that a large auto parts manufacturer (and large captive heat treater) has reversed this news by buying a pump manufacturer. No connections of course. Here's a snip from the MAHLE press release:

Stuttgart, July 1, 2008 – Stuttgart’s MAHLE Group announced today that MAHLE has acquired all the shares of ENTEC GmbH in Thuringia, Germany. ENTEC is a developer and manufacturer of controlled oil pumps for combustion engines.

In its current organization, ENTEC develops controlled oil pumps on customer order and produces prototypes and small lots for special applications and motorsport. These brought in sales of about EUR 7 million in the 2007 business year, generated with a total of about 60 employees. In addition, licenses for controlled pumps have been issued to contract manufacturing companies for large lot orders. While development is currently concentrated in the Crock/Thuringia location, production principally takes place at the Brattendorf/Thuringia location.

Development trends in modern generations of combustion engines are focused strongly on the topic of significant reductions in fuel consumption, especially in light of imminent CO2 regulations and legislation. In the future, controlled oil pumps will make significant contributions in this area, since they can be precisely tuned to provide only the amount of oil that is needed at different engine operating points. Potential fuel savings due to optimization of the entire oil circuit system, using controlled oil pumps, range at up to three percent. MAHLE plans, in the middle and long term, to exploit the great growth potential for controlled oil pumps as part of its in-house manufacturing program.

American Axle Strike to Close Another GM Plant

(March 3 - morning update) - Looks like the ongoing strike at American Axle has caused GM to close (temporarily) their assembly plant in Morain, Ohio. The plant makes TrailBlazers, GMC Envoys, Saab 9-7X and the Isuzu Ascender and employs some 2,170 hourly workers.

AFC-HOLCROFT Names Director of European Operations

(February 18 - morning update) - You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't know AFC-HOLCROFT and their success in developing standard furnace products that they can deliver around the world on very short notice - including a snazzy modular endo-generator system. Well it looks like they've got a new guy - both a metallurgist and engineer no less - to run Europe. Here's the PR:

AFC-Holcroft, one of the largest suppliers of industrial heat treating equipment in the world, has named Marc Ruetsch as Director of European Operations.  Ruetsch will be responsible for all activity in Europe, including Russia, from a branch office in Boncourt, Switzerland.  

Ruetsch holds degrees in both Metallurgy and Engineering and has 27 years of experience in the heat treating industry.  He is fluent in French, German and English. 

The scale of opening a satellite office of a world-leading company is nothing new for Ruetsch.  In his previous post at another major European industrial furnace company, he launched manufacturing support in China, organized a network of technology agents across Europe and Asia, and managed large customized projects from start to finish.  

Throughout his extensive industry experience he has been responsible for all phases of the commercial cycle – beginning with inquiry, progressing to site review, sales, commercial contracts, project management, and after-sales support.  His 18 years in Sales also included posts as Managing Director and Director of Sales of a former technology licensee of AFC-Holcroft.

With the U.S. dollar currently very weak against the Euro, the obvious benefits of manufacturing equipment in North America and shipping to Europe make the timing of a European support location “a logical step” according to Ruetsch.

Ruetsch stated, “AFC-Holcroft is recognized worldwide as a leading manufacturer of atmosphere heat-treatment furnaces.  I will be able to support the main office in Wixom, Michigan, by servicing customers in Europe, as well as promoting our industrial furnaces with exceptional price-performance ratio in various heat treatment processes.”  As part of this concept, AFC-Holcroft’s UBQ (Universal Batch Quench) family of products has been re-engineered to minimize international shipping expense, to maximize global flexibility.
   
AFC-Holcroft has more than 90 years of thermal processing experience.  The company manufactures turnkey heat treating systems for applications including commercial heat treating, automotive, aerospace, tool and die, foundry and forging, gear manufacturing, fastener manufacturing, and the wire and cable industry.

AFC-Holcroft is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of heat treating furnaces.  The company has a global reach, with organizations in the United States, China, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, India, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Romania and Japan, including manufacturing means in many of these countries.

For more information on AFC-Holcroft, contact Tim Josephs at (248) 668-4014.

New European Office for AFC-HOLCROFT

(February 18 - morning update) - Tied to our previous news item is news of AFC-HOLCROFT opening a new office in Europe:

AFC-Holcroft, one of the largest builders of industrial heat treating equipment in the world, is proud to announce the official opening of a branch office in Boncourt, Switzerland.  The office will support sales and replacement parts activity for the European region of the world, including Russia.   Currently, AFC-Holcroft has projects in Russia, Romania, Spain and Italy.
Marc Ruetsch will be responsible for all European activity, operating out of the new Swiss office.   Ruetsch’s title is Director of European Operations.

Ruetsch, who holds degrees in both Metallurgy and Engineering, has held several management positions for other large European heat treat equipment suppliers throughout his 27 years in the heat treating industry.  He had worked with AFC-Holcroft previously as a technology licensee.
William Disler, Vice President of Sales and Technology for AFC-Holcroft, explained the decision to open an office in Europe.

"The European markets, as well as other regions of the world, are critical to AFC-Holcroft to allow us to manage the peaks and valleys of our business more efficiently. With the U.S. dollar currently very weak against the Euro, the opportunity to manufacture equipment in North America and ship it to Europe is very promising”.
Disler continued, “Our Boncourt office will serve as a beachhead not only to support this current activity but to further expand and penetrate the European marketplace with our products.  We will continue to make adjustments in our organization to support our global activity as we expand our footprint around the world.”

Following this economic trend, AFC-Holcroft recently finalized an important agreement with a major European heat treater to supply North American built batch equipment into several countries throughout Europe over the next few years.  In addition, AFC-Holcroft’s UBQ (Universal Batch Quench) family of products has been re-engineered to minimize international shipping expense, to maximize global flexibility in the future.

AFC-Holcroft has more than 90 years of thermal processing experience.  The company manufactures turnkey heat treating systems for applications including commercial heat treating, automotive, aerospace, tool and die, foundry and forging, gear manufacturing, fastener manufacturing, and the wire and cable industry.

AFC-Holcroft is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of heat treating furnaces.  The company has a global reach, with organizations in the United States, China, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, India, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Romania and Japan, including manufacturing means in many of these countries.

For more information on AFC-Holcroft, contact Tim Josephs at (248) 668-4014.

Ken Hinkley Report - Save This Man!

(February 18 - morning update) - Heat Treat News has learned that Ken Hinkley long Heat Treat consultant has taken up parasailing.  Things must be slow in the consulting business leaving him with too much free time.  So if anyone needs a good consultant please contact him before he hurts him self.

email: sklease@aol.com

ALD Technology Breaks 30 Million Euros Worth of Vacuum Carburizers

(February 6 - morning update) - No doubt atmosphere carburizing is here to stay for many parts, but there's no denying the fast rise of low-pressure carburizing around the globe. Today's PR from ALD brings that point home as we learn that they have made some rather substantial sales of their systems. Here's their PR:

ALD Vacuum Technologies has developed important new heat treatment processes and furnaces over recent years.  These technologies ideally achieve the latest requirements of industry via advanced levels of modern manufacturing. Based on vacuum technology, these processes comply with demands of today and address future process requirements, bringing flexibility, improved product quality, increases in efficiency, distortion control improvements and lower production costs. The comfortable working atmosphere of our systems and the environmentally friendly nature of the processes are additional benefits of ALD’s technology. 

Following the commercial launch in 2002/2003 and a fully successful implementation of the pilot system at Wegener Haertereitechnik in Homburg/Saar, Germany, a great many of our customers have been and are continuing to be, convinced of the advantages of the process and furnace technologies. The success of this furnace concept is based on a modular design, which enables easy adaptation to a variety of processes and products.  In addition to the automotive industries like BMW, Getrag or General Motors, the new process technology was also effectually implemented in the Diesel injection and industrial transmissions markets.  Between the years 2003 and 2006, 20 furnace systems with more than 100 treatment chambers were installed and commissioned. 

In 2007, ALD has again increased its order intake significantly with 10 furnace systems including more than 50 treatment chambers.  This volume represents about 35 m € to high ranking customers like ZF Saarbruecken and Getrag Untergruppenbach.  Further orders were closed with commercial heat treatment centers in Germany, The Far East and Mexico.  A significant number of letters of intent for additional projects are supporting the growth well into 2008.  Since delivery and commissioning of the ordered furnaces will extend over the next few years, ALD is now working to full capacity.  Orders placed with large producers of transmissions provide proof for the acceptance of ALD’s latest heat treatment technology.
With its representative offices and subsidiaries as well as licensees in the USA (ALD-Holcroft) and Japan (Daido), ALD is well positioned for sales and services worldwide. Furthermore, ALD operates its own heat treatment service centers in Germany, the USA and Mexico.  Ongoing research and development activities and the intense collaboration in national and international development projects as well as the technical expertise from our own centers are reinforcing ALD’s leadership position in this specific world market.


Richard Seemann
January 2008

ALD Vacuum Technologies in Hanau, Germany, is the globally leading supplier of process technologies, furnaces and services in the field of vacuum metallurgy and vacuum heat treatment. With subsidiaries in the USA, Japan, the UK, Russia, China, Poland and Mexico as well as more than 70 representative offices, ALD is a world-wide supplier to industries i.e. power generation, environment, aviation, photo voltaic and automotive suppliers.

For further information please contact:

ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH
Barbara Ahrens Sekretariat der Geschäftsführung
Tel.: +49.06181. 307-3107
Fax: +49.06181. 307-3320
barbara.ahrens(at)ald-vt.de

CHS-Asia Earns ISO9001:2000 Status

(February 5 - morning update) - Big news from David Pickup's and Randy Simmons' controls & furnaces company, CHS-ASIA. Their team has been growing by leaps and bounds and has achieved ISO9001 certification. Here's their PR:

CHS-ASIA (S) Pte Ltd. a Manufacturer and Supplier of Industrial Furnace Equipment has reached a significant milestone and is proud to announce that we are now certified to ISO 9001:2000 by DQS Certification (www.dqs.de). The certification is accredited by the German Accreditation Body, Deutscher Akkreditierungs Rat (DAR, www.dar.bam.de).

The certification of the effectiveness of our Quality Management System recognizes that the policies, practices and procedures of our company can ensure consistent quality in the equipment and services we provide to our clients. With this certification, our clients can be confident that CHS-ASIA is dedicated to maintaining the highest efficiency and responsiveness in achieving our ultimate goal – guaranteed client satisfaction.

CHS-ASIA is certified to ISO 9001:2000 for the following scope:
1.Design, Fabrication, Assembly, Installation and Commissioning of Industrial Furnaces & Associated Equipment
2.After Sales Service of Spare Parts, Servicing and Maintenance
In maintaining our Quality Management System, CHS-ASIA is committed to conduct semi-annual audits to ensure compliance and to assess initiatives for continued improvement. Our clients can be confident that CHS-ASIA will continue to provide the high quality services they have come to expect well into the future.

We believe that our decision to become ISO 9001 certified is a proactive one that not only anticipates the demands of our clients, but also demonstrates our commitment to providing quality services to all our clients.

Ever Treat an 11,000 Pound Weldment? Solar Just Did Two

(February 1 - morning update) - In the category of "a picture's worth a thousand words" we have the latest from Solar Atmospheres:

And here's the story from Solar directly:

Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, PA, recently heat treated two 4140 (chromium molybdenum) steel weldments, each weighing 11,000 lbs. Using a 12 foot long horizontal loading Solar Manufacturing furnace with a 50,000 lb. capacity, Solar normalized and tempered the weldments to achieve specific yield strength, while minimizing distortion, through controlled heating and cooling.

The weldment dimensions were, 54 x 34 x 84 inches, with section thicknesses ranging from 2 to 6 inches. The configuration required vacuum thermal processing in order to prevent structural cracking. Critical to this goal, Solar strategically placed six workload thermocouples in the various weldments sections. Uniform heat up of the large part was accomplished with strategically planned pre-heat steps, a uniform soak at temperature, and a controlled 2 bar quench.

Tri Kris Fabrication, Lansdale, PA, was very pleased with the heat treating and will process more weldments of this type at Solar. The part is a component in a large tensile testing machine that tests braided steel cable for shipbuilding applications.

* * *

Bob Lacock
Solar Atmospheres, Marketing
800.347.3236 x 234
jenna@solaratm.com

ThyssenKrupp Forging Purchased by Sona Group

(January 29 - evening update) - More and more manufacturing companies are being snatched up lately. Today's news comes from India's Sona Group, a large manufacturer of steering systems, axle components and forgings for automotive applications.

It turns out they've just purchased Praezisionsschmiede, ThyssenKrupp's forging business, which has plants all over Germany and one in Selma, North Carolina. An interesting note is that the sale, which closes any day now, has an effective date of October 1, 2007.

Chrysler Offering $100,000 Buyouts

(January 29 - evening update) - In an effort to trim some 10,000 jobs by April, Chrysler LLC is offering up buyout deals for up to $100,000. The offers are a combination of lump-sum buyouts and early retirement packages. In all about 19,000 workers are being offered the buy-outs with Chrysler wanting 10,000 to take it.

Buyouts are being proposed to workers at the Conner Assembly plant, the Detroit Axle plant, the Mack Avenue Engine I and Engine II plants, Mt. Elliot Tool & Dye, the Sterling Stamping plant, the Warren Stamping plant, the Trenton Engine plant and the Sterling Heights test center.

Expansion at Overton Gear

(January 28 - morning update) - Overton Gear Corp is a custom gear company servicing transportation, construction and wind applications. Based in Addison, IL, Overton has recently completed a 10,000 square-foot expansion of their heat treating department.

New additions to the heat treat include two new carburizers and an 84-inch quench press (probably one of the largest in the world). With the new equipment, Overton can now handle gears up to 90 inches in diameter.

Geek Ear-Wear Technology Put to Good Use

(January 25 - morning update) - Okay, come on and confess...you've worn one of those little ear decorations for talking on your cell phone without a wire, haven't you? 

Well, believe it or not, all those earpieces worn in the world's airports have resulted in something truly useful. Those microphone/earphone devices are all based on a wireless technology called Bluetooth and that technology is now being used to help double-amputee soldiers walk again. 

Instead of transmitting your latest bet on the Giants to your cell phone, Bluetooth is being used to allow replacement legs to communicate with each other and coordinate walking for soldiers who've literally given their legs up for their mission and for their country. 

Nothing to do with heat treating, but great news as we head into the weekend. Read about it here.

Westinghouse Specialty Metal Plant Adds SECO / WARWICK Furnace

(January 25 - morning update) - SECO/WARWICK has landed another furnace order from Westinghouse Specialty Metals in Blairsville, PA. The order is for a new vacuum annealing furnace. Always better reading when the customer's let their names be used for sure.

Here's the PR :

Westinghouse Specialty Metals Plant in Blairsville, PA has purchased a High Vacuum Retort Annealing Furnace to process zirconium tubes.  Westinghouse is increasing their plant capacity to meet the needs of customers in both China and the United States.

The Vacuum Annealing furnace is custom engineered to meet the exceptionally tight uniformity standard of ±5ºF in the 48 inch x 6 inch x 216 inch hot zone.   The furnace is rated for 1200ºF and will be equipped with a cold cap High Vacuum diffusion pump. 

About Westinghouse Specialty Metals Plant

Westinghouse Electric Company offers a wide range of nuclear plant products and services to utilities throughout the world, including fuel, service and maintenance, instrumentation and control, and advanced nuclear plant designs.  With headquarters in Monroeville, Pennsylvania – near Pittsburgh – Westinghouse now has operations in twelve states and fourteen countries, with annual sales of approximately US$1.8 billion.  After designing the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, in 1957, Westinghouse and its licensees provided more than 40 percent of the world’s 434 operating commercial nuclear plants, the world’s largest installed base of operating plants.

All of this experience places Westinghouse at the forefront of the nuclear industry. But most importantly, Westinghouse applies its expertise to ensure that nuclear power will continue to provide safe, reliable and economical electricity without producing carbon emissions or other greenhouse gases.

For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com


About SECO/WARWICK
SECO/WARWICK’s Vacuum Team custom engineered, quality Vacuum Furnaces for most processes including hardening, tempering, annealing, solution heat treating, brazing, sintering, carburizing, carbon/carbon composites, CVD–graphitizing, high pressure quench and degassing.  SECO/WARWICK has entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement with Retech Systems LLC offering advanced technology for VIM, VAR, electron beam & plasma arc furnaces, along with powder production and environmental remediation equipment. 

Visit the Vacuum Team at http://www.secowarwick.com/vacuum.html

SECO/WARWICK Worldwide manufactures industrial heat processing equipment including heat treat furnaces, vacuum furnace technology, atmosphere generators and aluminum reverb melting and holding systems.  SECO/WARWICK provides heat treating equipment and services worldwide for customers involved with primary aluminum, aluminum recycling, automotive, aerospace, commercial heat treating,  HVAC, electronics, lighting, medical equipment, nuclear applications and high temperature sintering.   The globally integrated organization includes SECO/WARWICK Corp. (USA), SECO/WARWICK S.A. (Poland), ELTERMA S.A. (Poland) and SECO/WARWICK Industrial Furnace Co. Ltd. (China).  The company has over 700 employees worldwide and is an industry leader in industrial heat processing equipment and processes.  More information can be found at www.secowarwick.com.

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Press Contact:
Beth Ryan, Marketing Communications Director
814/332-8437
bryan@secowarwick.com

Credit Suisse Upgrades Bodycote to "Outperform"

(January 24 - morning update) - Some good news for Bodycote today as Credit Suisse has upgraded their status from "neutral" to "outperform." The downside is that they've cut their target for Bodycote stock from 300 pence to 240 pence. Still, at a current trading price of about 160 pence this is good stuff for the world's largest commercial heat treater and materials testing company. 

Credit Suisse tops it off by saying "Bodycote is the clear global leader in outsourced Heat Treatment."

BlackEagle Acquires Rockford Products' Assets

(January 24 - morning update) - BlackEagle Partners is a private equity firm that focuses on "turnaround" acquisitions - companies with customers and products that have stumbled into difficult financial situations. Today we've learned that BlackEagle has acquired "selected assets" of Rockford Products, the nearly eighty-year-old manufacturer and heat treater in Rockford, IL. Rockford's wares are used in critical suspension applications such as Ball Studs, Studs, Track Bolts, Ball Pins, etc.

The details of the asset purchase aren't entirely known to us but from the sound of it, BlackEagle will retain the profitable stuff, jettison the rest, put in a new or partly new management team and try to bring Rockford back to profitability.

Bodycote Sells Tarzana Property

(January 24 - morning update) - Bodycote has sold a nearly 15,000 square foot facility in Tarzana, CA to Columbia College for $3.5 million. The facility, located at 18600 Oxnard St., will be leased back to Bodycote by Columbia College for an undisclosed period of time.

SECO/WARWICK's China Venture Earns ISO9001 and Relocates

(January 23 - morning update) - SECO/WARWICK'S joint venture company in Tianjin (China) has recently obtained ISO9001:2000 status and it looks like they've also relocated their corporate offices in Beijing. Here's the full scoop for those interested:

Bodycote Shares Take Another Hit 

(January 22 - morning update) - The London stock exchange "FOOTSIE" took a real beating last week, especially in the manufacturing sector. Overall it was the exchange's worst day since the 9/11 attacks.

Heat treating giant, Bodycote saw about a 6% drop in its share price alone dropping below 150 p for the first time in years. They've climbed back up a bit this week to around 154 but are way off their high of 327 from about 10 months ago. 

Experts in the UK cite the recent poor economic news in the US and expectations of worse news to come. Let's hope they're wrong.

Two New Solar Car Bottoms Ordered 

(January 17 - afternoon update) - We've heard from many customers that the US recession is for real and people are starting to worry...that didn't stop Solar Manufacturing from landing a very nice order from V.S.M.P.O Salda in Russia. Nice work! Here's the PR:

Souderton, PA – A contract has been signed for Two (2) Large Car Bottom vacuum furnaces for shipment to V.S.M.P.O. Salda, Russia.  The total order value with shipment and installation will approach US $7,000,000.  The furnaces will heat treat, anneal, and high vacuum degas titanium and titanium alloys like V.S.M.P.O. grade 5553 for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner and other aircraft or related applications.  The furnace design is based on US Patent NO. 6,936,792 B2 specifically covering the critical hot zone and car bottom design which features under hearth heating zones.  The identical furnace hot zones are 24’ deep x 84” diameter with work load capacity to 50,000 lbs. each.  Operating temperature is to 2400°F and high vacuum to 10-5 torr with two 35” Varian high vacuum diffusion pumps per furnace.  Each furnace is powered with a one megawatt dry type phase angle controlled Magnetic Specialty Inc. five zone power supply and Honeywell micro processor based pyrometer controllers.  A PC-based data acquisition system backed by redundant Eurotherm data acquisition instrumentation is provided for thermal work monitoring and order processing input and retrieval.  For additional information contact Richard A. Jones, Solar’s International Sales Manager. 

Selas Signs H.E.A.T. Network as Midwest (USA) Rep

(January 16 - evening update) - Selas is, of course, a long time player in the heat industry - premix systems, furnaces, blender valves, flow meters, burners, etc. - and they have a new group supporting their stuff in the Midwest sectino of the US. Here's the PR:

Montgomeryville, PA -Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC today announced an agreement with Heat Equipment and Technology, Inc. (H.E.A.T.) to represent the company in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia. In addition to H.E.A.T.’s headquarters in Cincinnati, the firm also maintains offices in Cleveland, Columbus and Detroit.

H.E.A.T. Inc. has been providing solutions and equipment for thermal processing for over 30 years. From single components such as temperature controls and gas pressure regulators to complete industrial burner systems, H.E.A.T. Inc. has the product range and experience to help improve the combustion performance of Selas’ current and future customers. In addition to product sales, H.E.A.T. will also offer installation assistance and field service of Selas products as well.

Revitalized and committed to growth, Selas Heat Technology Company LLC has been dedicated to providing quality heat technology solutions since 1896. In that time, Selas has served the advanced thermal processing needs of tens of thousands of customers, providing radiant and low NOx burners, combustion gas mixers, gas blender valves, flame arrestors and blowouts, BTU monitors and controls, flow meters, heat processing furnaces, and much more. Selas delivers heat technology solutions to the glass, steel, non-ferrous metals, chemical, petrochemical, automotive, and plastics industries with the highest quality products, customer service and aftermarket support.

For more information, contact Van Mai, Marketing Manager, Selas Heat Technology Company LLC., 130 Keystone Drive, Montgomeryville, PA 18936.


• Tel: 800-523-6500 • Fax: 215-646-3536

• E-mail: sales@selas.com • Website: www.selas.com

Curtis-Wright Lands Boeing Laser Peening Contract

(January 14 - morning update) - While not a traditional heat treating procedure, laser peening is an up an coming technology for improving the fatigue resistance of metals using lasers to impart layers of residual compressive stress into the metal. In this case the laser peening technology originated a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and was commercialized by Curtis-Wright. They will install this technology on a production cell inside the Boeing Frederickson (WA) plant to be used on curved wing sections of the new 747-8. This is Boeing's latest 747 incarnation and offers improved aerodynamics and lower operating costs over the last generation (747-400). 

New Order for Solar Manufacturing

(January 11 - morning update) - The other heat treat news sites had the inside edge on this one over HeatTreatNews.com on this one, but, since it's a "we sold something" PR that actually names the customer, we're happy to run it however late it may be:

Souderton, PA –- Solar Manufacturing Inc. announces the receipt of an order for two duplicate vacuum furnaces from Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, Conn., for a combined value just under $1,000,000 US.  These furnaces will be used in the final heat treatment process of turbine blades for jet engines.

The furnace hot zones have a 38” diameter, a 40” depth, a hearth capacity of 1500 lbs., and operate to 2500F.  Hot zone construction is a standard Solar Manufacturing design with 360 degree internal circular low watt density graphite band heating elements and insulated with four layers of high purity graphite felt mounted on a 304SS supporting ring.  High vacuum performance is into the 10-6 Torr range with a Varian 16” diffusion pump and backed with a Stokes 150 cfm / Stokes 2000 cfm mechanical pumps.  The fully automatic digital control system utilizes an Allen Bradley SCL 5/06 64K PLC and Panelview operator interface with a Honeywell UDC 3500 temperature controller and DPR250 on control panel recorder.  The furnaces will be networked to a central communication center via an ethernet hub.

According to Peter Reh, Vice President of Sales, this is the first order Solar has received from a prime jet engine manufacturer though Solar has received orders for similar vacuum furnaces from second tier suppliers.  Reh further states the furnaces will be fully installed and started up by Solar as a complete turn key installation.


Solar Manufacturing designs and manufactures vacuum heat treating and brazing furnaces.  To learn more about their diverse product line, contact Peter Reh, Vice President of Sales, at 267-384-5040 or pkr@solarmfg.com.  More information can also be found on www.solarmfg.com.  

$2,500 for a Brand New Car? Go to India

(January 11 - morning update) - Tata Motors has just released the "Nano" - the world's cheapest car. This thing apparently has room for 5 people (5 small people), gets 50 miles per gallon and meets safety and emissions standards. It does not come with air conditioning (you need the deluxe version for that) or a passenger side mirror and only has one windshield wiper, but, for $2,500 what do you expect?

The Nano is for India only at the moment but Tata plans to export eventually.

Ipsen Growing, Adding Staff

(January 9 - morning update) - Looks like recently combined Ipsen, Inc. is doing quite well these days. According to their latest release they added 12 people to their North American operations in the last quarter of 2007 and had one of their best years ever. Here's the full PR:

US Recession is Here According to Merill Lynch

(January 8 - morning update) - Fears of a US recession have been growing over the last few months world-wide since so much of the world economy is based on US consumer spending. Today Merill Lynch has stated that Friday's poor jobs report confirmed that the US recession has, indeed, started.

Not everyone agrees. Lehman Brothers, for example, denies a recession has started. Officially it's the National Bureau of Economic Research that proclaims when recessions occur, but they're proclamations always come about two years after the fact so we won't hear from them until late 2009 at best. By then I think we'll all know for sure one way or the other.

Tigers Route Buckeyes

(January 8 - morning update) - LSU came out a bit shaky and looked like they weren't up for the game early on, but then their secondary turned on that SEC speed, shut down Ohio State's passing game and it was all over. 

Final score 38-24 (but it wasn't really that close after the second quarter).

Congrats to the Tigers who played an excellent game all around - strong D, strong offense and almost no penalties. Now if we could just get these games to finish before midnight!

Read all about the game here.

Chrysler Rumors

(January 7 - morning update) - The rumors over Chrysler have become so numerous that even CNN & Money Magazine did a story on it (click here to read). Suffice it to say that while Cerberus (Chrysler new owners) maintains that Chrysler is doing well and exceeding its targets in many areas, others are saying that things are more messed up than ever and that an eventual merger with Ford is in the cards.

G-M Vacuum Furnace Start-up

(January 7 - morning update) - If you're interested in reading about the start-up of a new, bottom-loading vacuum furnace at an undisclosed site, head on over to Industrial Heating's Industry News page.

CMC Impact Metals-Youngstown Receives ISO9001 Registration

(January 7 - morning update) - Looks like CMC Impact Metals (formerly Allegheny Heat Treating) got its ISO9001 status:

CMC Impact Metals, formerly known as Allegheny Heat Treating, recently received ISO-9001 registration for its Youngstown, Ohio facility.  The Youngstown facility had no findings at its registration audit which was conducted by SRI Quality System Registrar.

CMC Impact Metals was established in 1979 in Chicora, Pennsylvania.  It is now part of the Commercial Metals Company and has facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.  CMC Impact Metals heat treats long products including special bar quality (SBQ) rounds and structural flats, plate, and shapes.  It serves the needs of various steel using markets including steel service centers, truck trailer and other OEMs, oilfield equipment, and military.

The Chicora, PA, facility has been ISO 9001 registered since 2004.  Efforts are now underway to implement ISO at the recently opened facility in Pell City, Alabama.

Welcome to 2008 - Go Buckeyes!

(January 7 - morning update) - Well, after a nice long break we're back. We'd like to say it was relaxing - and it times it truly was - but a full house of relatives and many meals prepared has us looking down the road for the next real vacation. Anyway, 2008 is here and so is another year of HeatTreatNews.com. 

Don't forget to tune in tonight to watch The Ohio State University Buckeyes trounce some school from Louisiana! Our neighbor played ball at LSU so I have to give him hell.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

(December 21 - morning update) - We're upon that time of year when most of the world takes a deep breath, relaxes and then embarks on travel, homecomings, visiting relatives, house guests, large feasts and a bit too much drinking. 

If any big news breaks in the next week we'll be sure to put it up here, but it's likely to be a quiet one.

Thanks to all our readers and contributors. Have a wonderful holiday and great new year!

Luce Is Metroplex's Most Valuable Asset for Bodycote - Editorial by Randy Simmons

(December 20 - morning update) - By now everyone has heard about Bodycote's acquisition of Metroplex Heat Treat. Today we have an editorial by Randy Simmons who has spent many days (and a few nights) at Metroplex dating back to his days running Marathon's service department. From the sound of it, Jerry Luce and the things he can bring to Bodycote's corporate culture, are what Randy sees has the most important aspect of this recent acquisition by Bodycote. Read on:

Bodycote Share Price Stumbles

(December 19 - morning update) - In the UK this is the time when many publicly traded companies release "trading updates" before they go silent in preparation for releasing real numbers later. So what happens when the world's largest commercial heat treater releases a trading statement that says their year with be  "within the range of market forecasts" and that profit has grown 15%? Well their share price plummets!

I'll never understand it, but I guess the markets expected Bodycote to grow profits more than 15% in spite of a weakening dollar, high energy costs and the nickel fiasco we saw over much of the last year.

As it stands today Bodycote's share price has dropped about 25% over the last year and stands at 178 pence today.

U.S. Trade Deficit Drops to Lowest in Two Years

(December 18 - morning update) - Looks like that weak dollar is finally having an impact on imports and exports. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, the trade deficit fell about 5.5% (to about $179 billion) during the July-September quarter. That's the lowest quarterly trade deficit since 2007. Hopefully the start of a trend for US manufacturers.

New Manufacturing Engineer at Marathon Monitors

(December 18 - morning update) - Hot on the heels of Marathon's release yesterday that they'd hired a former SSI guy comes today's PR that they have a new manufacturing engineer. Sounds like he's a machinist turned engineer which can't be bad. Here's the PR:

West Chester, OH (13 December 2007) Marathon Monitors Inc., a member
of United Process Controls, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr.
Justin Clark to the position of Manufacturing Engineer at its West Chester,
Ohio manufacturing facility.

Clark comes to Marathon with an impressive background in machining,
design, manufacturing and programming. He started off as a CNC machinist
while completing his degree in Tooling and Machining. Currently, he is
completing his BS in MET at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Clark is a
skilled CAD/CAM/CAE designer and has primary responsibility for
documenting the designs and manufacturing processes at Marathon.

"Justin s skills and hands-on experience will allow Marathon to continue
delivering and developing the best products. His participation in our quality
programs and customer support department will insure that he is, first and
foremost, focused on providing the best value to our customers," said
Marathon Director of Engineering, Paul Barker.

Clark s responsibilities include implementation of new Quality Systems for
Marathon and UPC, design and manufacturing documentation and
management for the production and development of the current and next
generation oxygen sensors.

Marathon Monitors Inc. is a leading supplier of heat treating and combustion
control systems with service and support subsidiaries in both Beijing and
Shanghai. As part of United Process Controls, Marathon products are sold,
supported and serviced world-wide and integrate seamlessly with products
from UPC's member companies. www.marathonsensors.com - www.group-
upc.com.

George Demary Joins Marathon Monitors

(December 17 - morning update) - Looks like SSI's 9200 Product Manager has left the company and landed over at Marathon Monitors - what's that, about four miles away? Here's the PR:

West Chester, OH (12 December 2007) – Marathon Monitors Inc., a member of United Process Controls, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. George Demary to the position of Quality Systems Specialist at its West Chester, Ohio manufacturing facility.

Demary joins Marathon after serving as Product Manager for the 9000 Series Instruments at Super Systems Inc. in Cincinnati where he was key in the development, deployment and service of the 9000 series instruments used in their heat treating controls products.

Prior to his three years improving the 9000 series, Demary was responsible for electronic systems on the F-16 flight line at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. His assignment to this critical role for the flight line underscores his problem-solving abilities.

"George brings a wealth of experience in supporting critical systems under pressure as well as a customer-focused approach to field support," said Marathon President, Eric Boltz.

Demary’s responsibilities include development of new Quality Systems for Marathon and UPC both on-site at the nine UPC worldwide locations as well as technical field-service and customer support.

Marathon Monitors Inc. is a leading supplier of heat treating and combustion control systems with service and support subsidiaries in both Beijing and Shanghai. As part of United Process Controls, Marathon products are sold, supported and serviced world-wide and integrate seamlessly with products from UPC's member companies. www.marathonsensors.com - www.group-upc.com.

Bodycote Acquires Metroplex Heat Treat (Texas, USA)

(December 16 - evening update) - Though there is no official press release from Bodycote, word on the street is that they've acquired Jerry Luce's company in Arlington, Texas, Metroplex Heat Treat.

This adds substantial capacity to Bodycote's already large heat treating capacity in Texas. Remember that Bodycote's CEO, John Hubbard, while originally from a small town in Ohio, grew to prominence in the industry with his heat treating company Hinderliter Heat Treat in Texas. Hinderliter was purchase by Bodycote in 1996 and Hubbard continued on to running all of Bodycote North America and then all of Bodycote.

HeatTreatNews.com is Back

(December 16 - evening update) - After an unplanned absence, HeatTreatNews.com is back up and reporting. Look for a slew of new articles this week including a full update of our archives.

Ashby Buys Into Bodycote

(November 28 - morning update) - We just reported on Bodycote's rather large stock price tumble after UBS downgraded their recommendation on Bodycote from "hold" to "sell." 

Well one major investor and investment adviser, Credit Suisse Asset Management's co-head of UK equities Graham Ashby, thinks quite differently from UBS and is steering funds to mid and small caps at their relatively "bargain" prices today. Ashby recently bought into Bodycote at 220p per share. 

Click here to read more.

Furnace Finders Launches New Used Equipment Web Site

(November 28 - morning update) - Pretty much anyone who has shopped used furnaces in North America knows Furnace Finders. Word today is that they, in team with HTFPonline.com, have developed a new site to sell new and used furnace parts.