Specializing in PIA (pain in the %@$) Jobs! since our founding in 1975

The Kowalski Heat Treating Company (KHT) was founded in 1975 by Robert S. Kowalski in a small 3,000 sq ft lakefront facility to service the needs of the tool and die industry in northern Ohio. Specializing in highly distortion sensitive thermal salt bath processing and difficult PIA (Pain In The @%$) Jobs!, the company now supports six specialized processing divisions housed in five integrated operating buildings.

During the late ’80 and ‘90’s, Robert’s focus was on matching the growing processing needs of his automotive and specialty manufacturing customers, investing in new and better equipment and making sure the staff was responsive and properly trained.  As the business grew, and next generation leadership “learned the ropes”, our operations expanded to more buildings, more equipment and staff, including 24 hour thermal processing, better and tighter production monitoring, integrated delivery and superior quality controls.

In 2000, we added our K-LIFE Division, greatly expanding our ability to provide deep cryogenic enhancement for improved edge and wear resistance.  By 2002, management decided to invest in our K-GLOW division featuring pulsed plasma technology, providing our customers with even greater hardening and surface edge retention.

In 2008, we continued to acquire additional property around our facility and invested in expanding our processing capabilities to meet the needs of customers. And in 2011, we again grew our K-FLAT Division adding a 300 ton press to handle the increased heat set flattening requirements, adding tens of thousands of pounds per year while yet again expanding our management and facility production staff.  Over the past five years, we’ve invested millions into our plants, facilities and operations, with the addition of a fully-integrated shop floor management software system, new state-of-the-art 10 bar furnaces, the expansion of our rack salt-to-salt processing, new buildings, new delivery trucks and more. And, we’ve received some of our industries highest awards – DoD and ISO 9001certified – taking on the industry’s toughest PIA Jobs!

Today, Kowalski Heat Treating Company operates in 90,000+ sq. ft. of manufacturing, warehouse and office space. The management team is lead by second generation Kowalski family member Stephen Kowalski.

We remain at our original location in Ohio City, close to downtown on the north shore of Ohio overlooking beautiful Lake Erie at 3611 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113.

Please stop in anytime and to see our operations.  As you can imagine, we are very proud of our facility, our staff and our heritage.  You can reach us toll free at 1-888-KHT-HEAT (548-4328) or skowalski@khtheat.com.