June 1, 2026, Souderton, PA – 51���� Eastern PA facility recently commissioned a new 12’ horizontal vacuum furnace. The furnace was designed primarily for Hydriding and Dehydriding (HDH) of titanium. The furnace can also perform the standard gamut of heat-treating processes typical of Solar’s extensive customer base. The furnace features a working zone of 54” x 54” x 144”. It is equipped with a 15,000-pound conventional load car arrangement. Other features include a 300HP external forced cooling system with VFD control, Solar Manufacturing’s Polaris control system, and dual mechanical pumping systems.

“This new furnace adds much-needed capacity to support growing HDH demands” states Mike Moyer, Vice President of Sales. “With dual mechanical pumping systems, we are able to more efficiently process larger degas loads and improve our delivery metrics”. “The new 12-foot furnace is also well equipped for all the standard vacuum heat treating process that we currently employ. From annealing and stress relieving to solution treating and aging, the new furnace adds considerable capacity to meet customers’ growing demands.”

For additional information, contact Mike Moyer, VP of Sales, 51���� at 215-721-1502 x1207, or mikem@solaratm.com.

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Hermitage, PA, May 6, 2026 – 51���� of Western PA marked a major milestone with an inspiring 25th anniversary event that brought together employees, customers, partners, and community members.

We were honored to welcome more than 160 guests for a day of reflection, connection, and looking ahead. The event featured speakers highlighting the company’s growth and achievements over the past 25 years, along with exciting insight into what’s next.

Attendees enjoyed lunch, facility tours, and discussions around the NEO oil quench vacuum furnace and upcoming investments including a water quench furnace scheduled for installation this summer.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone and to all who have been part of the journey. Here’s to the next 25 years!

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Fontana, CA, March 23, 2026 – 51���� is pleased to announce the installation and full commissioning of a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Fontana, California facility, further expanding the company’s high-pressure vacuum heat treating capabilities in the western United States.

The furnace, manufactured by sister company Solar Manufacturing, is a state-of-the-art horizontal vacuum system featuring a 48” wide x 48” high x 96” deep hot zone and a maximum load capacity of 12,000 pounds. Equipped with an advanced vacuum pumping package capable of achieving an ultimate vacuum level of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr, the system is ideally suited for processing titanium and other high-performance alloys that require exceptionally clean, tightly controlled vacuum environments.

“This investment gives our customers another regional solution for high-pressure quenching of large components and heavy workloads,” said Derek Dennis, President of 51���� California. “It also allows us to drive greater efficiency and cost competitiveness through increased capacity and economies of scale. This addition reflects our continued commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering measurable value to our customers.”

The new furnace strengthens 51����’ ability to support aerospace, defense, medical, and power generation markets with advanced vacuum heat treating technology and reliable turnaround performance.

For more information about vacuum heat treating services at 51����, contact Frank Trujillo at 866-559-5994 ext. 1333, or frank@solaratm.com.

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Chesterfield, MI, December 15, 2025 – 51���� of Michigan Inc. is proud to announce that it has earned Nadcap 18-Month Merit Status for heat treating and brazing—an honor awarded only to organizations that consistently demonstrate the highest levels of quality, process control, and specification compliance. With this achievement, every 51���� location nationwide now holds Nadcap merit status.

We appreciate PRI’s recognition of our team’s dedication to stringent process discipline, precise processing, and an unwavering commitment to quality in every operation.

51���� President Bob Hill stated: “With the purchase, name change, and relocation of our Michigan business in 2022, the PRI Nadcap standards reverted back to annual audits. The achievement of zero major findings over the past three (3) years of audits has allowed us to once again join all of our other Solar facilities across the country with Merit standing. This accomplishment further strengthens 51����’ promise to deliver reliable, world-class thermal processing solutions to our customers in Michigan and across the nation.”

About 51���� of Michigan Inc.

51���� of Michigan Inc. is part of the 51���� family of companies, offering a wide range of vacuum heat treating and brazing services. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, 51���� serves industries including aerospace, defense, medical, power generation, and more.

For more information about the 51���� Michigan facility contact Chris Molencupp at (586) 264-8100 ext. 1620, or chrism@solaratm.com.

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Hermitage PA, November 4, 2025 – This installation marks the second all-metal hot zone vacuum furnace added to the climate-controlled processing area at 51����’ Hermitage, Pennsylvania facility. The new system significantly expands the company’s capacity to heat treat highly sensitive materials such as precipitation-hardened stainless steels, nickel-chrome-based superalloys, titanium, and niobium.

Engineered for precision and performance, the furnace incorporates strategically placed isolation valves, an oversized main valve, a high-capacity diffusion pump, and a polished stainless-steel chamber. Together, these features create an ultra-clean processing environment that meets the stringent demands of the aerospace and medical industries. Capable of achieving vacuum levels below 5 x 10⁻⁶ Torr, the system ensures bright, contamination-free results.

Michael Johnson, Sales Director at 51���� of Western Pennsylvania, stated: “The all-metal vacuum furnace plays a critical role in delivering the purest possible processing environment. This level of cleanliness and control results in pristine end products that meet the most demanding industry standards. We’re proud to partner with the engineers at Solar Manufacturing to bring this advanced technology to fruition.”

For additional information about 51����, contact Mike Johnson at 855-934-3284 x2223 or email at mikej@solaratm.com.

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Greenville, SC, October 28 – 51���� is proud to announce the installation and commissioning of a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Greenville, South Carolina facility.

Manufactured by sister company Solar Manufacturing, this state-of-the-art horizontal vacuum furnace features a working zone measuring 48” wide x 48” high x 96” deep and can process loads up to 12,000 pounds. The system’s advanced vacuum pumping package achieves an ultimate vacuum level of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr, ensuring superior performance for processing titanium and other high-grade alloys requiring pristine vacuum environments.

Steve Prout, President of 51���� Southeast, commented: “We’re proud to offer our customers another regional option for high-pressure quenching of large components and workloads, while also providing the opportunity to reduce processing costs through economies of scale. This addition reinforces our ongoing commitment to innovation, quality, and customer value.”

For more information about the Solar Atmospheres Greenville facility, contact Mike Paponetti at (864) 970-0111 ext. 1406, or mikep@solaratm.com.

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Hermitage PA, October 6, 2025 – At the Metal Treating Institute (MTI) fall meeting, Bob Hill, President of 51���� of Western PA and Michigan, received the prestigious Heritage Award—the highest honor presented by MTI. This award recognizes an individual’s lifetime commitment and significant contributions to advancing the commercial heat treating industry.

Congratulations, Bob, on this well-deserved achievement!

For additional information about 51����, contact Mike Johnson at 855-934-3284 x2223 or email at mikej@solaratm.com.

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September 22, 2025 – 51���� of California is thrilled to welcome Eric Cavenee to our Western Region Outside Sales team! In this role, Eric will support customers across the western United States with world-class thermal processing solutions for aerospace, defense, medical, additive manufacturing, nuclear, and power generation metal components—specializing in advanced vacuum furnace technology.

Eric brings over 15 years of experience in metals distribution, with a strong focus on aerospace and high-performance alloys.

Eric shared, “Joining 51���� feels like the perfect next step. I’m excited to bring my industry experience into this new role and continue supporting customers with integrity, innovation, and excellence.”

Please join us in welcoming Eric to the 51���� family!

For more information about vacuum heat treating services at 51���� of California, contact Frank Trujillo at 866-559-5994 ext. 1333, or frank@solaratm.com.

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Hermitage PA, July 14, 2025 – The foundation is now in place at 51���� of Western PA for the installation of a state-of-the-art titanium drop bottom water quench furnace. Engineered for precision and performance, this new furnace is rated for a maximum operating temperature of 1850°F ±10°F and is designed to process titanium bar and forging loads of up to 7,500 pounds.

Measuring 14 feet long by 54 inches wide by 48 inches high, workloads will be rapidly transferred into a 7,000-gallon, recirculated water quench tank within seconds—ensuring consistent metallurgical results for demanding aerospace and industrial applications.

This investment marks a significant step forward, opening the door to expanded titanium solution treating capabilities and reinforcing 51����’ commitment to innovation and customer-driven thermal processing solutions.

For additional information about 51����, contact Mike Johnson at 855-934-3284 x2223 or email at mikej@solaratm.com.

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Chesterfield, MI, May 28, 2025 – 51���� of Michigan Inc., a leader in vacuum heat treating services, is proud to announce the addition of new, advanced air tempering and cryogenic equipment to its Chesterfield facility. These investments mark a significant step forward in expanding the company’s processing capabilities and enhancing customer support across various industries.

The new equipment includes a 6’6” wide × 4’ high × 14’ long car-bottom air furnace, designed and manufactured by Heat Treat Equipment Inc. With a robust weight capacity of 30,000 pounds and temperature uniformity within ±10°F from 300°F to 1400°F, this unit is ideal for processing large, heavy components that require precise temperature control. Also joining the lineup is a DMP “Cryo/Temper Systems” unit, offering a 42” wide × 60” deep × 36” high hot/cold zone. This system achieves temperature uniformity within ±10°F across a critical range of -300°F to 1200°F, supporting both cryogenic treatment and high-temperature tempering in one integrated solution.

Bob Hill, president of 51���� of Michigan states, “These new systems further reinforce our commitment to providing our customers with more flexibility with their thermal processing solutions. We’re excited to enhance our service capabilities while continuing to meet the evolving needs of the industries we serve.”

These two units mark the beginning of a broader expansion effort. They are the first of several planned new equipment investments to be housed within Solar Michigan’s new 50,000-square-foot facility along with the twelve (12) existing production vacuum furnaces.

About 51���� of Michigan Inc.

51���� of Michigan Inc. is part of the 51���� family of companies, offering a wide range of vacuum heat treating and brazing services. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, 51���� serves industries including aerospace, defense, medical, power generation, and more.

For more information about the 51���� Michigan facility contact Chris Molencupp at (586) 264-8100 ext. 1620, or chrism@solaratm.com.

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