Valley Forge & Bolt named Rick Bailey as chief metallurgist, CEO Michele Clarke announced. 

Bailey has specialized in steel during his four-decade career, which began with U.S. Steel and started in fasteners with Massachusetts-based Olympic Manufacturing Group.  Bailey will be involved in creating product formulations, purchasing steel, production planning, advising on forging and heat-treating, expanding employee understanding of product functions, and assisting with quality controls.

“My role is to turn science into practice, applying the technical side of metallurgy to improve processes — and to embrace continuous improvement so we’re always learning and better serving our customers,” Bailey said.

Bailey has experience in mining, power generation and oil and gas markets – three of Valley Forge’s core markets.

Bailey commended Valley Forge for its proprietary Load Indicating Technology. 

“Often with Load Indicating Technology, we’re making huge bolts for heavy applications, where it’s crucial to start with material that has the correct properties so the finished product calibrates properly,” Bailey said.

Founded in 1974 by Ron Clarke in an Arizona warehouse with two rebuilt forging machines and old gas slot furnaces, Valley Forge is now located at 4410 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85043.  Tel: 800 832-6587  Web: vfbolts.com