TimkenSteel has started processing customer orders at its newest heat-treatment asset, an advanced quench-and-temper facility. The addition of the $40 million facility, located at the company's Gambrinus Steel Plant in Canton, Ohio, increases TimkenSteel's existing quench-and-temper capacity by 50,000 tons, or 45%, and brings the company's total annual heat-treatment capacity to 500,000 process tons. According to TimkenSteel, it is the largest of its four heat-treatment facilities.

TimkenSteel announced its plan to build the quench-and-temper facility in October 2014. The company announced earlier this year that it expected start-up to occur in the fourth quarter. Manufactured by SMS Group with custom modifications made by TimkenSteel's in-house team of scientists and engineers, the facility can accommodate 4-inch to 13-inch bars and tubes.

In addition to servicing automotive applications, the facility will be beneficial for oil-and-gas customers’ most demanding applications in down-hole tools and top-of-hole infrastructure.