Carpenter Technology Corporation traces its roots back to June 7, 1889, when engineer James Henry Carpenter and a group of investors founded the Carpenter Steel Company in Reading, Pennsylvania. The young firm quickly gained prominence by producing armor-piercing projectiles for the U.S. Navy during the Spanish American War and supplying specialty steels for the Wright brothers’ first flight engines in 1903. Throughout the early 20th century, Carpenter expanded its alloy portfolio—developing chromium nickel steels, chemical resistant grades, and the first free machining steels—fueling its reputation as a pioneer in metallurgical innovation.
the company evolved into a global leader in specialty alloys, rebranding as Carpenter Technology Corporation in 1968 to reflect its growing innovation and R&D programs. Today, Carpenter produces more than 500 specialty alloys—from stainless steels and nickel, cobalt, and titanium-based alloys to powders for additive manufacturing—serving critical segments like aerospace, defense, medical devices, energy, transportation, and electronics. Its materials are found in high-performance applications such as aircraft landing gear, engine disks, surgical implants, and components for EVs and consumer electronics.
Carpenter has long been noted for its technical breakthroughs and expanding capabilities. It pioneered Aermet and other high-strength alloys used in aircraft landing gear and has introduced patented powders and cobalt-based materials like BioBlu 27 and PremoMet for jewelry and diesel components. The establishment of its Emerging Technology Center in Athens, Alabama, and investments in additive manufacturing, soft magnetics, and meltless titanium powder underscore its focus on next-generation production technologies. Its Reading, Pennsylvania site is also being upgraded with a new precision hot rolling mill for soft magnetic alloys geared toward aerospace, EV, and electronics markets.
Carpenter is executing a strategic push into additive manufacturing and electrification-driven alloys. Its Emerging Technology Center—backed by more than $150 million in investments—is ramping up research into advanced powders and AM processes. Parallel development of soft magnetic materials and precision rolling capacity at Reading supports its goal of supplying next generation electric motors and power electronics. With long-term targets including doubling operating income by 2027, Carpenter is positioning itself as a catalyst for innovation in critical-materials supply chains for aerospace, defense, medical, automotive electrification, and more.