IH: Your mission statement declares that Drever provides “leading thermal technology to assure customer satisfaction.” How does your services prove that statement?

SK: Our services include gas carburizing, gas nitriding for alloy steels, vacuum heat treating, heat treatment of alloy and tool steels, induction hardening, stressrelieving of ferrous and nonferrous metals, cryogenic treatment, heat treatment of nonferrous alloys including brass, aluminum, and copper, and cleaning. A trained operator runs every piece of equipment, and all safety features are always in use. The different lines include: two Ipsen T-13 furnaces (atmosphere controlled); vacuum furnace; induction units; large car bottom furnaceconsisting of two cars (each car measures 22'L x 8'W x 5-1/2'H); a line of six tempering pit furnaces (48"dia x 10'H); electric tempering ovens; a well equipped inspection room; and a cleaning room.

SK: At Drever Heat Treating, we strive to provide excellent service and quality, and we invite every customer to visit our establishment. A clean shop always makes a good and lasting impression. We try to educate our customers about heat treating and in doing so, suggest the best and most economical way to complete the order. We also offer an excellent turnaround time and competitive pricing.

IH: What unique application has put your capabilities to the test?

SK: Each order brings different challenges, but one particular application does stand out involving silver brazing of diesel engine heads under atmospheric control. The customer required about 50 heads a day. After a lot of research and experimenting, I'm proud to say that we successfully established the right time and temperature for a good braze.

IH: What projects at Drever have proved most beneficial to the growth of your company?

SK: Each acquisition and development has proved beneficial to the way we do business. In 1980, we acquired a Johnston car bottom furnace for stress relieving with two cars, each capable of holding at least 60,000 pounds. In 1994, we added a vacuum furnace to our line. In 1996, we acquired a

200kW induction unit from Pillar Industries that enabled us to induction harden gears and cams at a much faster rate, resulting in increased production.

IH: As the thermal processing industry continues to grow and become more competitive, how does Drever plan to remain at the forefront?

SK: The heat treating industry will most definitely experience growing demands for heat treatment of nonferrous metals and vacuum hardening. In the next five years, we plan on diversifying and increasing our customer base by about 15%. Proper sales, quality and services should help us achieve our goal. Although we are always targeting large industries to add to our list of customers, we never forget the small tool and die shops who helped us get started. Equal attention to all our customers will remain our motto.

For more information contact Drever Heat Treating, a division of The Drever Company, at 6201 Robinwood Road, Brooklyn Park, MD 21225; by phone: 410.789.6160; or by fax: 410.789.6659. IH