This year, employee-owner Michelle Riedel won Illinois Employee Owner of the Year. We are proud to have Michelle on our team! Every year, each state’s ESOP Association receives nominations from ESOP companies for an individual who goes above and beyond their job description to win the Employee Owner of the Year. This year, a fellow Scot Forge owner nominated Michelle Riedel for Illinois Employee Owner of the Year. From a state that has more than 100 ESOP companies and thousands of employee owners, Scot Forge’s Michelle Riedel was selected as the state’s Employee Owner of the Year! Some of the comments submitted about Michelle spoke about her selfless attitude in helping others – her fellow owners and volunteering in her community. Michelle is one of those people who helps others without seeking recognition. The internal customers she serves can always count on her to get things done on time and better than what is expected. Below are a few quotes from the nomination entry: "Day in and day out I hear and see how her number one priority is not only taking care of our customers but just as important to her is taking care of her fellow employee owners… Michelle is a huge part of organizing our company’s ESOP communications as well as our annual visits to the Washington D.C. Conference. She makes sure our ESOP representatives are scheduled to meet each of our State representatives and have a chance to discuss our ESOP company and the importance of ESOPs to as many representatives as possible… In my opinion the most important program this year that Michelle put together for our employee owners was a “give back to the community” program. She had spoken to local schools where she was told of a need for not just food for the less fortunate but for simple items such as hygiene items for the kids at the schools. Michelle rallied the employee owners and on a volunteer basis had a shopping bag and list of items for these children. Within a few weeks over 150 bags were collected and distributed at the local schools." Michelle – Congratulations on being the Illinois Employee Owner of the Year! We’re proud to have you on our team!

Scot Forge's goal is to exceed customer expectations with every forging we create, starting with a request-for-quote. View our checklist to guarantee your order to your exact needs! At Scot Forge, our goal is to exceed customer expectations with every forging we create. We put our customers' needs first to ensure that every forging is created exactly how you want it, starting when you send a request-for-quote to our technical sales team. Next time you need a quote on a forging, follow this checklist to guarantee your order is made to your exact needs while saving time and money! Click on the image to download and view our checklist.

Scot Forge is proud to provide high-quality solutions to our customers and always exceeding customer expectations! At Scot Forge, our goal is to exceed customer expectations with every conversation we have, order we process and product we forge. We aim to build long lasting relationships with all of our customers to show each of them they are valued and placed in the capable hands of our dedicated employee owners. Scot Forge was presented with a case to select material based on certain properties the customer requested for ram blocks that go into blowout preventers. Blowout preventers are vitally important in controlling wells and preventing another oil spill incident such as the one that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Scot Forge was able to partner with our customer on the metallurgy side of the problem to create a viable solution. Our inside and outside sales teams, along with our forge development team, worked hand in hand with our customer to determine the material needed for this project. The ram blocks Scot Forge produced are shear rams, which are used to cut the drill pipe. The image above to the left shows where the shear rams go within the blowout preventer. The picture above to the right highlights why the ram blocks are so crucial in blowout preventers. The blowout preventer is critical in sealing, controlling and monitoring subsea wells in order to prevent blowouts; making it one of the most critical safety components in the whole operation. To ensure it works properly, every piece of the design must work without fail. Scot Forge takes pride in collaborating with our customers to tackle their challenges. By working together and improving on old methods or materials, we can create an optimal solution.

The team at Scot Forge loves to celebrate by creating a Christmas card to show off our amazing employee owners and spread some holiday cheer! Merry Christmas from Scot Forge It is the most wonderful time of the year! The team at Scot Forge loves to celebrate by creating a holiday card to show off our amazing crew and spread some holiday cheer. The Scot Forge 12 Days of Christmas How We Make Our Card Christmas starts early here at Scot Forge! The holiday season begins back in summer when our Christmas card team first gets together to brainstorm possible themes for our Christmas card video. It isn’t until early fall that the theme is finalized and the real work can begin. The team then writes the script, storyboards the scenes, orders the props and casts employee-owners to be in the video. After that work is done, we book our favorite videography partner! This year we had children of our employee owners voice the lines. Filming begins in November and the video is released mid-December… just in time to spread holiday cheer!

All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a forging so complete... so detailed ... that our customers would be satisfied forever! Click Play Below to Enjoy the Show. We TRIPLE-Dog-Dare You! Oooh fudge! Christmas was on its way. Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas. See what Scot Forge has asked for this year from Santa! The Big Man! The Head Honcho! The Connection! Is it a major award? Something fra-gee-lay (must be Italian)? Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double beetloaf? There’s no doubt it’ll be the greatest Christmas gift ever received... Scroll down to see the full Scot Forge cast and crew From all of us at Scot Forge, thanks for watching and Merry Christmas! Share your favorite Scot Forge Christmastime moment and follow us on our social networks. Enjoy the Holidays!

Joining the ranks of other prominent companies such as Honeywell International, Caterpillar Inc., Lockheed Martin, ExxonMobile and Alcoa, Scot Forge becomes the first ever forging company in the United States to receive this honor. EHS Today names Scot Forge as one of America’s Safest Companies in 2014 Since 2002, EHS Today ( Environment, Health, & Safety Today ) has recognized America’s Safest Companies, honoring those whose focus is on developing and maintaining world-class safety cultures. Each year, companies from all types of industries submit applications for review and EHS selects 10-15 standouts to receive this prestigious award. This year, we are proud to announce that Scot Forge Company has claimed one of the 2014 spots. Joining the ranks of other prominent companies such as Honeywell International, Caterpillar Inc., Lockheed Martin, ExxonMobile and Alcoa... Scot Forge becomes the first ever forging company in the United States to receive this honor.   To be considered for the title of America's Safest Company, Scot Forge had to demonstrate “support from management and employee involvement, innovative solutions to safety challenges, injury and illness rates lower than the average for the manufacturing industry, comprehensive training programs, evidence that prevention of incidents is the cornerstone of the safety process, good communication about the value of safety, and a way to substantiate the benefits of the safety process”. (America’s Safest Companies, EHS Today) While this award means a lot to the company, it’s just the beginning. Even though Scot Forge is doing very well by external measures, internally the employee-owners know they can do significantly better. The company’s culture of continuous improvement and commitment to safety means their ultimate goal is zero injuries… and they won’t be satisfied until that goal is sustained. At Scot Forge, everyone is working towards a common goal - to go home at the end of each day without accidents or injuries. By fostering a low-risk work environment, employees stay productive and can focus on other things, like producing quality, precision forged parts. And by taking care of themselves, the employee-owners know they can continue to take better care of their customers. Scot Forge… We’ve Got You Covered! Read the whole SafeStart Success story! Download Now

There are many benefits to choosing a career in Manufacturing. Check out our info graphic to learn about them. Millions of people work in Manufacturing. There are many benefits to this career field. Scot Forge has put together this infographic to highlight a few of them. Click the image to be directed to the full size image that can be viewed or printed.

Learn more about Manufacturing and why it's so important with our info graphic. Manufacturing has more of an impact on our lives than some may realize. Scot Forge has put together the top 12 most impactful facts about Manufacturing for your informational pleasure. Click the image to be directed to the full size image that can be viewed or printed.

Using the advantages of open die forging combined with the near-net shape capability of closed die forging, the forging process can be tailored to optimize time and cost savings. Metalworking and Infrastructure In The U.S. In 2015, North American forging manufacturers supplied $6.2 million in open die and rolled ring forgings for bridges and other Department of Transportation work.1  According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, US bridges are in poor condition, receiving a “C+” grade.2 As a result, the Federal Highway Administration estimates that nearly 25% of the nation’s bridges require repair and replacement as existing structures near the end of their life spans and struggle to handle increasing traffic. Bridges are considered structurally deficient if significant load-carrying elements are found to be in poor or worse condition due to deterioration and/or damage. A “deficient” bridge, when left open to traffic, typically requires significant maintenance and repair to remain in service and eventual rehabilitation or replacement to address deficiencies. The high percentage of deficient bridges and the large existing backlog are, in part, due to the age of the network. One-half of all bridges in the Unites States were built before 1964, while the average age of the nation’s 607,380 bridges is currently 42 years. When bridge owners must select a process and supplier for the production of a critical metal component, they face an enormous array of possible alternatives. Many metalworking processes are available, each offering a unique set of capabilities, costs and advantages. The forging process is ideally suited to many part applications. In fact, forging is often the optimum process, in terms of both part quality and cost, especially for applications that require maximum part strength, custom sizes or critical performance specifications. So why, in the peak of bridge construction (c. 1960), did so many engineers choose castings over forgings? Unfortunately, most Federal bridge safety standards were not created until the late 1960s, in response to the Ohio River bridge collapse. The failure was caused by corrosion and decay of the bridge which weakened it to the point of collapse, killing 46 people. After analysis it was discovered that during the casting process, a microscopic crack formed in a steel eye-bar used in the bridge’s construction, over time stress and corrosion fatigue caused the crack to grow until the component failed. Today, it is well known that castings lack the continuous grain flow, refined grain structure, and directional strength necessary for critical, load bearing operations. The lack of properly oriented grain flow as well as grain refinement can lead to potential part integrity problems causing failures in the field. In the ‘60s, there were hundreds of casting foundries in the U.S. who could supply the complex or large metal components required for bridgework. Castings were cheap and plentiful when compared to steel forgings at that time. As demand for steel castings outpaced supply however, companies began to look outside of the US and Canada for solutions, which ultimately impacted the supply chain in two ways: It gave birth to an off-shore option for steel castings which reached its height and inflict significant damage on the domestic industry in the decades to follow. OEMs were not content back then to wait for the off shore option to fully develop, casting users moved aggressively to invest in a substitute process – steel fabrication. In fact, the presence of fab shops within virtually every manufacturing plant – which we take for granted today – did not exist before the late 1970s and is the direct result of the aforementioned.   At present, the North American steel foundry industry is a shadow of its former self. In 2015, fewer than 200 steel casting plants remain, down from a 1970s high of more than five times that many. Today’s more demanding material users are increasingly obliged by everyday economic and competitive realities to seek a better supply-chain solution and stronger, sounder and technically superior product. However, when it comes to making decisions about the bridge construction and repair, the question still asked is …“casting, fabrication or forging?” The reality that the forging process has come a long way since the 1960s is slowly being recognized. Engineers and metallurgists have increased their education around metal working processes and begun to evaluate the long term benefits of forgings compared to castings or fabrications. Additionally, technological advances have made forgings every bit as competitively priced as alternate methods while providing the means to address the structurally deficient or functionally obsolete challenges faced within the US Infrastructure industry. What is Forging? There are several forging processes available, including impression die (also known as closed die), cold forging, and extrusion. However, here we will discuss in detail the methods, application and comparative benefits of the open die forging processes. We invite you to consider this information when selecting the optimum process for your critical applications. At its most basic level, forging is the process of forming and shaping metals through the use of hammering, pressing or rolling. The process begins with starting stock, usually a cast ingot (or a "cogged" billet which has already been forged from a cast ingot), which is heated to its plastic deformation temperature, then upset or "kneaded" between dies to the desired shape and size. During this hot forging process, the cast, coarse grain structure is broken up and replaced by finer grains. Shrinkage and gas porosity inherent in the cast metal are consolidated through the reduction of the ingot, achieving sound centers and structural integrity. Mechanical properties are therefore improved through reduction of cast structure, voids and segregation. While impression or closed die forging confines the metal in dies, open die forging is distinguished by the fact that the metal is never completely confined or restrained in the dies. Most open die forgings are produced on flat dies. However, round swaging dies, V-dies, mandrels, pins and loose tools are also used depending on the desired part configuration and its size. Open Die Compared To Castings and Fabrications Forging delivers significant economic, manufacturing, and quality advantages when compared to alternative metalworking processes such as directional strength, structural strength, and impact strength. Read more about part integrity and grain flow comparison by visiting our Forging 101: Forging Advantages page. Forging also provides means for aligning the grain flow to best obtain desired directional strengths. It is well known that bridges are prone to cracking and fatigue problems. Therefore, it is helpful to understand how proper orientation of grain flow can ensure maximum fatigue resistance. In open die forging, the metal (once subjected to the compressive stress) will flow in any unconstrained direction. The expanding metal will stretch the existing grains and, if the temperature is within the forging temperature region, will recrystallize and form new strain-free grains. This results in even better resistance to fatigue and stress corrosion than a forging that does not contour the component. This predictable structural integrity inherent to the forging process reduces part inspection requirements, simplifies heat treating and machining, and ensures optimum part performance under field-load conditions. The high-strength properties of the forging process can be used to reduce sectional thickness and overall weight without compromising final part integrity. Additionally, forging can measurably reduce material costs since it requires less starting stock to produce many part shapes. Less machining is therefore needed to finish the part, with the added benefits of shorter lead time and reduced wear and tear on equipment. Virtually all open die forgings are custom-made one at a time, providing the option to purchase one, a dozen or hundreds of parts as needed. In addition, the high costs and long lead times associated with casting molds or closed die tooling and setups are eliminated. Furthermore, by providing weld-free parts produced with cleaner, forging-quality material and yielding improved structural integrity, forging can virtually eliminate rejections (as opposed to fabrications). Using the forging process, the same part can be produced from many different sizes of starting ingots or billets, allowing for a wider variety of inventoried grades. This flexibility means that forged parts of virtually any grade or geometry can be manufactured relatively quickly and economically. Advances in Open Die Forging Forging suppliers have long used tooling to achieve near net or finish size and shape. Each forging process utilizes forge tooling in different ways to best reduce input material and machining process time. For example, tooling is the cornerstone for impression (aka closed die) forgings. This application is ideal for higher volume repeatable products. The tolerances achieved offer reduced machining needed to obtain finished shapes or sizes. However, over recent years, tooling has allowed the open-die process to become cost competitive when compared to other metalworking alternatives. Although the open die forging process is often associated with larger, simpler-shaped parts such as bars, blanks, rings, hollows or spindles, it can be considered the ultimate option in "custom-designed" metal components. High-strength, long-life parts optimized in terms of both mechanical properties and structural integrity are today produced in sizes that range from a few pounds to hundreds of tons in weight. Many open die manufacturers stock a wide variety of loose tools that can be used to achieve various shapes closer to finish than would be achievable through a pure open die process. Advanced forge shops now offer shapes that were never before thought capable of being produced by the open die forging process. This offering is ideal for prototypes or low volume production where the die block cost for impression die does not provide economic justification. The immediate availability of this tooling can also allow for a shortened production lead time offering flexible order quantities and reduced lead time in situations where needed.

10 experts discuss one of the smartest technologies in NDT. At Scot Forge, our industry certified personnel are trained to use the latest and most advanced equipment for non-destructive examination and testing, from Magnetic Particle to Liquid Penetrant and Ultrasonic Testing methods. Certified as a Nadcap nondestructive testing facility, all of Scot Forge's Level 3 and Level 2 inspectors are third-party-certified or are in the process of becoming certified to the ASNT NDT program and the ASNT ACCP Professional program. Leading the team here at Scot Forge is Joe Meyers, Corporate Quality NDE Technical Leader. Joe has been at Scot Forge for 13 years and is an ASNT Level 3 Certified inspector. A few weeks ago, Berg Engineering & Sales Company reached out to several leading NDE experts about ultrasonic testing in an effort to provide an overview of the technology and its importance to the industry. With all of Joe's experience, it's no wonder he was asked to sit on the panel of experts. Here were the three questions each expert was asked: How is ultrasonic testing creating a safer world? What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a career in ultrasonic testing? What is the most serious flaw you’ve ever detected via ultrasonic testing? See how Joe and the other experts responded! Read the Full Article

People plan their whole lives for retirement. Learn about the many benefits of working for an S-Corp ESOP company like Scot Forge. At Scot Forge, every employee benefits from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and S-Corp status. ESOPs and S-Corps have a number of significant benefits. Scot Forge has put together this infographic highlighting the top 10. Click the image to be directed to the full size image that can be viewed or printed.

Using the advantages of open die forging combined with the near-net shape capability of closed die forging, the forging process can be tailored to optimize time and cost savings. Using the advantages of open die forging combined with the near-net shape capability of closed die forging, the forging process can be tailored to optimize time and cost savings. Today’s high-strength material users are increasingly obliged by everyday economic and competitive realities to seek alternatives to their current manufacturing processes. The reality that forgings can be used for more than simple parts — and forged at very large sizes and unique geometries — is slowly being realized. Companies who are looking for a better competitive advantage have started seeking the help of forging facilities with the metallurgical know-how to deliver improved products, processes, and especially costs. Forgings target a lower total cost when compared to a casting or fabrication. When considering all the costs that are involved in a product’s life cycle from procurement to lead time to rework and then factoring in the costs of scrap, downtime, and further quality issues, the long-term benefits of forgings far outweigh the short-term cost savings that castings or fabrications might offer. Due to computer-aided design, close customer collaboration, and creative forging techniques, advanced forging companies have been able to combine the advantages of open die forging with the near-net shape capability of closed die forging to tailor a forging process that optimizes time and cost savings. These hybrid open die/closed die designs allow for part flexibility and economic advantages for gearing innovation and are ideal for prototypes or low-volume production where the die block cost for impression die does not provide economic justification. The immediate availability of this tooling can also allow for a shortened production lead time, offering flexible order quantities and reduced lead time in situations where needed. HOW IT WORKS Instead of pushing 100 percent of the material’s surface area, hybrid forgers are able to use far less tonnage in a prescribed manner to move material more efficiently. This is due to the tooling and mechanics of the process. For impression die (or closed die), a forging company must manipulate 100 percent of the workpiece at the same time. So it comes down to pounds per square inch, which is why this hybrid process makes it possible to make larger, more complex parts on an open die press. It’s also a more efficient use of tooling and investment dollars; the tool design can be changed quicker and more effectively than closed die impression blocks or casting molds. HYBRID GEAR CASE STUDY For example, a typical bull gear is manufactured in three parts: a rim, a hub, and a plate welded together. Fabricating a gear from multiple parts increases the risk for error and requires continual sourcing management. Added processing for welding of the fabrication proves to be costly and time-consuming. Not only is coordinating the manufacturing and shipment of all three components tedious, but someone also has to manage the requirement flow-down and payment schedule from different vendors. From a product standpoint, cracking in the weld layer is common, causing failures in the field that require extensive weld repair and re-inspection. Fortunately, this product can be manufactured as a single-piece hybrid forging, improving properties and eliminating non-value-added steps. The strength and structural integrity of the forged material meets demanding application requirements, resulting in less rework, fewer rejections, and increased part life. The elimination of welding shortens part-production process time, and the component is better able to withstand the rigors of field use. The ultimate benefit, however, is that the component can be turned around faster and machine-finished for immediate production response. A single-piece forging is much less prone to error and setback due to the removal of steps, such as managing multiple suppliers and HYBRID FORGING COMPARED TO CASTINGS AND FABRICATIONS Forging delivers significant economic, manufacturing, and quality advantages when compared to alternative metalworking processes such as directional strength, structural strength, and impact strength. Directional Strength By mechanically deforming the heated metal under tightly controlled conditions, forging produces predictable and uniform grain size and flow characteristics. Forging stock is also typically pre-worked to refine the dendritic structure of the ingot and remove porosity. These qualities translate into superior metallurgical and mechanical qualities and deliver increased directional toughness in the final part. Structural Strength Forging also provides a degree of structural integrity that is unmatched by other metalworking processes. Forging eliminates internal voids and gas pockets that can weaken metal parts. By dispersing segregation of alloys or non-metallics, forging provides superior chemical uniformity. Impact Strength Parts can also be forged to meet virtually any stress, load, or impact requirement. Proper orientation of grain flow assures maximum impact strength and fatigue resistance. The high-strength properties of the forging process can be used to reduce sectional thickness and overall weight without compromising final part integrity. GRAIN FLOW Forging also provides means for aligning the grain flow to best obtain desired directional strengths. It is well-known that bridges are prone to cracking and fatigue problems. Therefore, it is helpful to understand how proper orientation of grain flow can ensure maximum fatigue resistance. In open die forging, the metal — once subjected to the compressive stress — will flow in any unconstrained direction. The expanding metal will stretch the existing grains and, if the temperature is within the forging temperature region, will recrystallize and form new strain-free grains. This results in even better resistance to fatigue and stress corrosion than a forging that does not contour the component. This predictable structural integrity inherent to the forging process reduces part inspection requirements, simplifies heat treating and machining, and ensures optimum part performance under field-load conditions. The high-strength properties of the forging process can be used to reduce sectional thickness and overall weight without compromising final part integrity. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Forging can also measurably reduce material costs since it requires less starting stock to produce many part shapes. Less machining is therefore needed to finish the part, with the added benefits of shorter lead time and reduced wear and tear on equipment. Virtually all open die forgings are custom-made one at a time, providing the option to purchase one, a dozen, or hundreds of parts as needed. In addition, the high costs and long lead times associated with casting molds or closed die tooling and setups are eliminated. Furthermore, by providing weld-free parts produced with cleaner, forging-quality material and yielding improved structural integrity, forging can virtually eliminate rejections (as opposed to fabrications). Using the forging process, the same part can be produced from many different sizes of starting ingots or billets, allowing for a wider variety of inventoried grades. This flexibility means that forged parts of virtually any material or geometry can be manufactured relatively quickly and economically. Download the PDF