China’s Shandong Iraeta Heavy Industry Co. recently rolled off a huge seamless stainless steel forged ring, which it claims is the world’s largest. The ring, which weighs 150 tons and measures 51 feet (15.6 meters) in diameter, was manufactured as the key part of a nuclear power unit. The product was developed by the Institute of Metal Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and ordered by the China National Nuclear Corporation. It is expected to play the supporting function in a nuclear reactor vessel to withstand pressure of up to 7,000 tons. The giant steel structure was produced by welding segmented sections into an assembly.

Nutec Bickley received an order from Specialty Ring Products (SRP) for two gas-fired rotary-hearth furnaces.

On a campus-like setting within Warren is Weldaloy Products Company, a copper, aluminum and other nonferrous metal forging and machining company that manufactures custom products according to its customers’ specifications.

ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde GmbH (TKRE), a global manufacturer of slewing bearings and a producer of seamless rolled rings, placed an order with Siempelkamp for a new 6,000-ton upsetting and piercing press.

Alcoa signed a definitive agreement to acquire Firth Rixson, a global leader in aerospace jet-engine components, from Oak Hill Capital Partners for $2.85 billion in cash and stock.

Grupo Euskal Forging, a Spanish manufacturer of seamless rolled rings and other forged parts, ordered a new ring-rolling machine from Germany’s SMS Meer.

Frisa Forjados, a leading supplier of seamless rolled rings and open-die forgings based in Mexico, signed a new long-term supply agreement with Rolls-Royce valued at approximately $200 million.

Firth Rixson signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce for the supply of seamless rolled rings.