The history of Tungco Inc.
“In the fall of 1969, my father James Nance, came home from one of his sales visits to a local coal mine in Western Kentucky and asked if I would like to earn some money recovering tungsten carbide from mine drill bits; at the time I was only 16 years of age.”
Founder, Steve Nance using the furnace and sorting carbide.
Tungco was incorporated in 1977 and moved to a new, larger facility in Hanson, Kentucky.
Tungsten prices and demand declined which inspired Tungco to diversify.
Tungco began manufacturing drill bits in additon to recycling tungsten scrap.
Over the next decade, both Tungco and the bit manufacturing division continued to grow.
Cuda Tools Inc., the bit manufacturing company, was created to allow Tungco to concentrate on the core business of tungsten.
The new Millennium brought with it new opportunites for Tungco.
In 2000, new acreage was purchased with an office complex and additional warehousing. In 2002, a neighboring 10,000 square foot production plant was purchased.
In 2007, Tungco added a 19,000 square foot production facility to accommodate additional production lines.
In 2009, Tungco Powder Procurement was created, focusing on tungsten carbide sludge.
In 2012, a facility was finished that provides over 6,000 square feet of office space.
74 Alloys was established in 2014 and specializes in all other Tungsten based alloys, high speed steels and specialty alloys.
Tungco Worldwide was established in 2015. Our first 16,000 square foot facility was based in Shannon, Ireland.
Cuda Grit was launched in 2015 as a result of restructuring divisions within Tungco Inc. The company was formerly a segment of Cuda Tools Inc., which manufactured and sold tungsten carbide grit.
In June 2017, we aquired a new 45,000 square foot facility in Raheen, Limerick to accomodate our rapid growth.
The Tungco corporate office building was acquired in 2018. In 2019, Tungco celebrates 50 years and still stands as one of the largest tungsten secondary raw material suppliers in the world.
Who would have thought that my father’s curiosity would lead us to where we are today. I am proud to say that in 2019, Tungco celebrated its 50th year in the Tungsten business. My hope is to give assurance to potential suppliers and customers that Tungco is in Tungsten for the long haul.
OUR mission
Core values
intent and execution!
external = customer obsession
Meet Our Tungco Family
Chairman, Steve Nance and his father, James Nance began reycling tungsten in 1969. Over the years, Tungco has expanded into one of the largest tungsten secondary raw materials suppliers in the world.
