Refractory Dryout and Heatup Experts
20,000+ Successful Projects Worldwide
Get In Touch
- Engineered Combustion Systems
- ISO-Certified Safety
- MSHA Trained Teams
20,000+ Successful Projects Worldwide
When industrial startups cannot fail, companies rely on proven Refractory Dryout and Heatup Experts.
SPIE Hotwork delivers engineered refractory dryout and furnace heatup solutions for the world’s most demanding industrial facilities. From steel mills and glass furnaces to petrochemical refineries, cement plants, and power generation systems, our teams execute controlled, precise heatup programs designed to protect refractory integrity and ensure safe commissioning.
If your outage window is tight and your startup must be right the first time — you need expertise, not experimentation.

400 Sets of Portable Equipment
Engineered solutions for complex furnace projects
Get In Touch
What Refractory Dryout and Heatup Experts Do — And Why It Protects Your Operation
Refractory drying and heating is not simply part of commissioning. It determines the long-term life of your furnace, boiler, kiln, or processing unit.
Moisture trapped inside refractory linings expands under rapid heating. Without engineered ramp rates and combustion control, that moisture can cause:

Structural cracking

Spalling

Refractory failure

Production delays

Costly shutdowns
SPIE Hotwork develops engineered heat curves tailored to each specific unit design. Using proprietary combustion equipment first developed in the mid-1960s, we apply controlled heat distribution that removes moisture safely and uniformly.
Trusted by Global Industrial Leaders
SPIE Hotwork has completed more than 20,000 refractory dryout and heatup projects worldwide.
We have supported major operators across:
Steel
Glass
Petrochemical
Hydrocarbon processing
Cement manufacturing
Power generation
Nonferrous metals
Chemical processing
Get In Touch
These organizations trust SPIE Hotwork because performance matters.
Industry Solutions Delivered by Refractory Dryout and Heatup Experts
Our experience spans nearly every industrial furnace type in operation today.
Steel Industry Applications
- Blast Furnaces
- Reheat Furnaces
- Direct Reduced Iron
- Heat Recovery Coke Plants
- Byproduct Coke Plants
Glass Furnace Services
- Furnace Heatup
- Glass Draining
- Cullet Filling
- Sulfate Burnouts
- Expansion Supervision
Hydrocarbon & Petrochemical Units
- FCCU & Flexicokers
- Fired Heaters
- Reformers
- Sulphur Recovery Units
- Coke Calcining
Boilers & Cement Plants
- CFB Boilers
- HRSG Systems
- Kilns
- Coolers
- Tower Systems
Nonferrous Metals & Specialty Industries
- Alumina & Aluminum
- Copper & Nickel
- Biofuel Units
- Chemical Processing
- Waste Recycle / Incineration
- Gas Handling
- Post Weld Heat Treating
Every application is approached with engineered planning and disciplined execution.
Safety & Certifications — The Standard Behind Our Work
Industrial heatup operations demand strict compliance and procedural discipline.
SPIE Hotwork operates under structured safety and quality systems including:
- ISO-certified processes
- Annual MSHA training
- 40–50 hours of structured annual training per technician
- Strict site-specific safety compliance
- Comprehensive screening procedures
Safety is not a department. It is embedded in our operations.
Our reputation has been built not only on performance — but on protection of people, plants, and project timelines.
Get In Touch
Industrial Training That Builds True Refractory Dryout and Heatup Experts
Training is one of the most important differentiators at SPIE Hotwork.
We do not rely on short onboarding sessions. We build long-term professionals.
Get In Touch
Careers at SPIE Hotwork — Travel, Opportunity, and Industrial Experience
This is not a traditional job. It is a specialized industrial career.
Our technicians
Our technicians:
- Travel 160–200 days per year
- Work at major industrial facilities across the country
- Support critical outage schedules
- Operate advanced combustion equipment
We are looking for individuals who are
We are looking for individuals who are
- Safety-first in mindset
- Willing to travel
- Mechanically capable
- Able to pass background and drug screening
- Motivated to work in demanding industrial environments
Structured Application Process
Our multi-step application process ensures a professional and streamlined experience:
If you are ready for travel-based industrial work with structured training and long-term growth, we invite you to apply.
Application Process — Professional and Structured
Our hiring process is straightforward and respectful of your time.
"*" indicates required fields
Engineered Combustion Equipment & Global Mobilization
SPIE Hotwork maintains an inventory of more than 400 portable combustion equipment systems staged strategically throughout the world.
This allows us to:
- Mobilize quickly
- Reduce project downtime
- Support international operations
- Maintain consistent standards globally
Our proprietary combustion systems are engineered specifically for industrial refractory drying and heatup applications.
Precision control. Predictable performance.
Get In Touch
SPIE Hotwork first pioneered proprietary combustion equipment for glass furnace heatup in the mid-1960s.
Over decades, the company expanded into steel, hydrocarbon processing, cement, nonferrous metals, and specialty industrial sectors — becoming the most experienced refractory drying and heating company worldwide.
Today, as part of SPIE, we combine global infrastructure with specialized industrial expertise — strengthening our ability to serve clients safely and efficiently.
See Our Work in Action
Our projects take place in some of the most complex industrial environments in operation today.
The new Gallery section integrates live Instagram updates to showcase real-world project environments, equipment setups, and team operations.
Follow SPIE Hotwork for ongoing project highlights and field operations.
The Cost of Getting Refractory Heatup Wrong
Improper refractory dryout can result in:

Early refractory failure

Unplanned shutdowns

Production loss

Equipment damage

Increased safety risk
Partnering with experienced refractory dryout and heatup experts significantly reduces those risks.
When millions of dollars in production are on the line, expertise matters.
Industry-Leading Training That Sets Us Apart
At SPIE Hotwork, our technicians are trained to perform safely and precisely during critical startup operations.
Our program includes 2 weeks of in-house training, 60–90 days of field training, and 40–50 hours of ongoing annual training, along with OSHA and MSHA certifications. This ensures every technician is fully prepared for refractory dryout and furnace heatup projects in demanding industrial environments.
Work With Refractory Dryout and Heatup Experts Who Deliver
Whether you are planning:
Furnace commissioning
Furnace commissioning
LEARN MOREPlanned outage
Planned outage
LEARN MORERefractory installation startup
Refractory installation startup
LEARN MOREGlass furnace drain
Glass furnace drain
LEARN MORECoke oven heatup
Coke oven heatup
LEARN MOREBoiler startup
Boiler startup
LEARN MOREPetrochemical unit commissioning
Petrochemical unit commissioning
LEARN MORESPIE Hotwork is ready.
Contact SPIE Hotwork Today
- Your startup window is critical.
- Your refractory performance is essential.
- Your safety standards are non-negotiable.
Partner with the Refractory Dryout and Heatup Experts trusted worldwide.
Contact Our Team
Let’s execute your next heatup safely, efficiently, and correctly — the first time.
