Attn: Dr. H. Jack, P.Eng.

Date: 2/4/97

Content: Memo on our tour

of Hansen-Bulk

The tour of Hansen-Bulk was useful in helping me understand the different methods of treating steel. To actually see the ovens and machines that they use to do the treating was very interesting. I knew about Hansen-Bulk before the tour but did not realize that they had several different methods available for treating steel.

The plant was clean and the majority of the processes were cleaner than I thought they would be. The wide variety of ovens for the different types of steel treating were interesting to see. I was also surprised that they had several ovens that used electricity to generate the required heat instead of fossil fuels.

The system that they use for material flow for all the different required steel hardness and steel treating was simple but seemed to be effective. I can see where the tracking of parts could be very confusing when nothing can be recorded on the parts other than the information punched on the parts by the customer. The testing of all the materials for hardness after treating seemed to be done thoroughly. The system for calibration of the hardness testers was also in place and done effectively.

Hansen-Bulk's ability and willingness to provide a service for many different types of businesses was pleasing to see. Hansen-Bulk has the precision and technical expertise required to treat special metals for military products and the willingness to treat knife blades for a craftsman in Montana. Their jobs orders change daily and most of their work looked to be just single orders and not contracted jobs.

Hansen-Bulk's ability to turn orders around in 24 hours or less was impressive also. The different sized ovens and the variety of ovens available looked to be used efficiently to allow this turn around possible.

Stan Vander Pol