The Future of Construction and Refractory Services
ONEX's Expansion
ONEX’s new “Combustion and Construction” division, housed in our state-of-the-art 25,000-square-foot facility, positions us to take on larger, more complex projects and maintain the high standards our customers expect for refractory construction and industrial furnace systems.
“Our expansion is great news for our customers,” said Jeff Fair, ONEX’s Construction Manager. “With the larger space and advanced equipment, including a 15-ton overhead crane, we can take on larger and more complex refractory construction projects. This growth allows us to better meet our customers’ specific needs, from custom-designed linings to faster project completions. Our goal remains the same – to provide high-performance refractory solutions that help your furnaces operate more efficiently and reliably.”
What Is Refractory?
Refractory is a specialized material designed to withstand extreme temperatures, typically used to line furnaces and other high-temperature industrial equipment. These materials are crucial in metal melting processes, ensuring that furnaces operate safely and efficiently under intense heat. Fun fact: the first modern refractories were fireclay bricks, developed in the early 19th century during the Industrial Revolution. Fireclay bricks could endure temperatures exceeding 2,700°F, making them revolutionary for the steelmaking industry. Their durability and heat resistance set the foundation for modern refractory technology, shaping the future of furnace construction and metalworking.
Our Refractory Construction Process
At ONEX, designing a refractory lining is a multi-step process that combines expertise, precision, and high-quality materials. From initial engineering to the installation and curing process, our skilled team ensures every refractory lining is built to perform. With our new facility, we’re able to streamline this process and provide our customers with the level of support they have come to expect from us. By applying Lean principles, such as eliminating material waste and optimizing workflow, we’ve reduced inefficiencies across our production. This allows us to execute multiple projects in parallel while maintaining a high quality standard—an achievement that both accelerates turnaround times and customers’ production times.
What Makes ONEX Different?
“[ONEX] keeps all of the refractory in stock, so when it’s time to redo one of our furnaces, they’re here…Anybody can do refractory. The service that ONEX provides is the reason we’ve worked with them for the last 20 years,” said Matt Erickson, Facility Manager for McInnes Rolled Rings.
With our new facility up and running, we look forward to continuing to serve our customers with greater quality, precision, and innovation. We’re excited for the opportunities this growth brings and the future of refractory construction at ONEX.
Check out our refractory capabilities on our website
