The EMS Attleboro facility has upgraded a 660mm wide strip annealing line. The upgrade makes the furnace capable of bright annealing stainless steels, even grades sensitive to oxidation. The furnace was converted from electric heating to gas heating and muffled to create the atmosphere required for bright annealing. This upgrade effectively doubles EMS capacity for bright annealing wide strip products.

The upgrade results in energy and operating cost savings based on the change of energy sources. The operating cost savings allow us to recover the capital investment required for the upgrade. The rebuild of this furnace created a significant production challenge which has now been overcome. We are pleased to bring this new capability online for our customers.