The Aichelin Group, a global provider of industrial heat treatment solutions, signed an agreement to acquire the NTS and UPC business divisions of NITREX, a manufacturer of industrial furnaces focused on nitriding solutions. The combination of Aichelin and NITREX will create the world’s largest supplier of heat treatment equipment. Following the acquisition, NITREX is expected to continue as a brand of Aichelin. (Note that the scope of the acquisition does not include the Heat Treating Services business unit.)
Headquartered in Canada, NITREX has around 250 employees in five countries. The NTS and UPC business units provide provide furnaces for gas nitriding and vacuum hardening of dies. This enables the company to provide support for extruders of aluminum who use our furnaces to nitride extrusion dies, a large cost in the aluminum extrusion sector.
“For decades, NITREX has been the world’s largest supplier of gas nitriding furnaces for aluminum extruders who need longer die life and higher quality die performance,” explained Mark Hemsath president of Nitrex, UPC-Marathon. “NITREX also makes vacuum furnaces, through our GM Enterprises division, which are used extensively by the tool and die industry to through-harden tool steels, like H13, which is commonly used by aluminum extrusion die shops. Gas nitriding has always been the ‘magic’ that extrusion shops use to extend die life, as nitriding adds superior hardness and lubricity to the die surface for the difficult task of drawing aluminum profiles through the dies.”
Complementary Businesses for Global Diversification
The acquisition of these NITREX divisions brings together the complimentary portfolios of both companies. NITREX adds renowned expertise in nitriding furnaces to Aichelin’s broad technology offering. In addition, the geographic fit is beneficial, with NITREX’s operations in the U.S., Canada, Poland, Germany, France, and China integrating seamlessly into Aichelin’s regional structures.
With this step, Aichelin Group will become the largest global furnace manufacturer in its industry of heat treatment solutions, reaching combined sales of more than €230 million and employing over 1,350 people across 23 locations in 11 countries throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. The acquisition marks an important milestone in the implementation of Aichelin’s Strategy 2030, which focuses on sustainable growth through regional proximity, diversification, and technological progress. The company is expanding into new markets and customer segments, both through internal innovation and targeted acquisitions.
Integrating NITREX strengthens Aichelin’s positioning — enhancing its technological offering and deepening its presence in key industrial regions. The group is thus advancing its goal of becoming a lifecycle partner for heat treatment customers worldwide, supported by digital services and localized operations. For customers, this means access to a broader range of technologies and stronger local support. For employees, the acquisition opens up new perspectives within a strategically focused industrial group.
“This acquisition marks a new chapter for Aichelin. By combining forces with NITREX, we are unlocking innovation potential and global synergies that will benefit our customers, employees and stakeholders alike,” said Christian Grosspointner, CEO of Aichelin Group. “We are proud to welcome NITREX into our Group. Together, we are shaping the future of industrial heat treatment.”
The transaction represents the largest acquisition in Aichelin Group’s history. It is expected to close in the third quarter 2025.