Kowalski Heat Treating (KHT) would like to thank the many knife makers, FFL firearm manufacturers, and precision component producers who took the time to visit us during the SHOT Show Supplier Showcase in Las Vegas and share their PIA (Pain in the @%$) Jobs! The event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with manufacturers facing real production challenges.

Conversations spanned a wide range of needs, including salt-to-salt heat treating, high-pressure quench vacuum processing, and knife edge and blade applications, with many attendees trusting KHT to review their underperforming parts, discuss improvement options, and assist with upcoming and in-process work.

"We're genuinely thankful to everyone who stopped by and shared their challenges with us," said Steve Kowalski, President of Kowalski Heat Treating. "Whether it was a complex blade, a tight-tolerance firearm component, or a job that simply hadn't gone right elsewhere, those conversations matter. Our role is to help manufacturers become more efficient and more successful by solving the jobs that slow them down and keep them up at night."

KHT highlighted recent investments across multiple processing areas, including its expanded K-Salt Division, enhanced K-Vac vacuum heat treating capacity, and specialized K-Life knife edge processing. These increased capabilities allow KHT to handle larger, more complex, and higher-tolerance loads while maintaining tight metallurgical control, minimal distortion, and clean, scale-free results.

In addition to core heat treating services, KHT continues to offer custom tooling and racking, in-house packaging, sorting, labeling, and drop-shipping, helping customers reduce handling, streamline production flow, and keep parts moving efficiently to the next operation.

"The trust and open teamwork shown at the SHOT Show is something we don't take lightly," said Peggy Andrews, head of Sales and Customer Service. "Our commitment remains the same: clear communication, honest evaluations, sound production scheduling and pricing, dependable turnaround, and delivering results that let our customers focus on what they do best while having a little fun!"

Kowalski Heat Treating looks forward to continuing the conversations started at SHOT Show and supporting manufacturers throughout 2026 and beyond. Feel free to contact Peggy Andrews – pandrews@khtheat.com to follow up on your next challenge.