Feature

Heat treatment post-Covid

In the light of current driver shortages, imminent energy price increases, potential shortages of products such as CO2 – to name but a few challenges – Roger Haw, Managing Director at Flame Hardeners Ltd., gives a personal overview of the future of the heat treatment industry, post-Covid.

06/10/2021 16:59:38

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In the months to come, following the Covid crisis, there will be many problems within the heat treatment sector of engineering.

There are already signs that energy prices (gas and
electricity) are rising at a higher than anticipated rate, and energy is the major cost within the heat treatment industry. This will, of course, lead to negotiations on pricing and the
subsequent reduction of margins on contracts already agreed.

More importantly, the issues of supply chain disruption presently being experienced will eventually affect the product quality, operating costs, maintenance costs and
supply of consumable materials to the industry. Such problems will feed through to the availability of raw materials – and this is already becoming noticeable.

While the effect of such shortages
can be handled easily on new design works, it will be considerably more difficult to accommodate existing designs and component production when customers try to use alternative materials.

Read the full article in DPA's October issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.