1. Reese Hardening Plant Bochum, founded 1948
2. Reese Hardening Plant Brackenheim, founded 1988
3. Reese Hardening Plant Chemnitz, founded 1991
4. Reese Hardening Plant Weimar, founded 1991

In 1948, when the graduate engineer Dr. Helmut Reese first founded the BOCHUM HARDENING PLANT, relatively few machine elements and instrument parts were hardened. Today many branches of modern technology exist that would have been inconceivable before the introduction of the hardening technique: hardly an important mechanical part or constructional component is produced nowadays that has not first been hardened or heat-treated. And this for a very good reason: the heat-treatment gives the components increased solidity. As a result they are not only more stress-resistant but they can also be made lighter and more compact and their operating life considerably extended. In choosing a method of heat treatment properly suited to the conditions of its application the following factors must be taken into account:

• the material used
• the surface hardness desired
• the depth of hardening
• the fatigue strength
• the core toughness
• the resistance to wear
• minimalisation of warpage

In the last few decades considerable progress has been made in the area of hardening technology. The Reese Hardening Plants have participated actively in the development of new methods of heat treatment; their research activities have contributed to the perfection of traditional hardening methods.
Thanks to their mutual cooperation and the free exchange of know-how each of the four independent companies belonging to the all-purpose Reese hardening plants is in itself capable of offering the entire spectrum of hardening techniques. As a result they are able to recommend in each case the most efficient and the most economical method possible.
For all our innovativeness the experience which we have gathered in over 50 years of applying and improving hardening technology remains decisive. As formerly operational and profit-making hardening shops that were once owned by renowned machine factories, the two newly founded companies in East Germany already have at their disposal a wealth of experience in all aspects of hardening technology. Our experience is the reason why so many domestic and foreign companies in such different industries as machine and instrument construction , aviation, and precision engineering have placed their confidence in the knowledge and technical expertise of the Reese hardening plants.