John Storm

2012 Co-op Hall of Fame Inductee

Co-op Alumnus

President and CEO/Founder of Contour Hardening Inc., Mr. Storm has been a leader and pioneer in the Materials Engineering community for more than 35 years. As founder, President and CEO of Contour Hardening, Inc. (CHI) based in Indianapolis, Indiana, he has developed numerous processes for heat-treating gears, shafts, and other products for the automotive, aircraft and other industries. As a result of his innovations, he holds 85 U.S. and international patents on a variety of processes and applications in these areas.

Mr. Storm led CHI into design and manufacturing of ultra lighweight transmission gears utilizing patented thermal process as well as a partnership with Treadway Racing for first and second place at the Indianapolis 500 in 1997. In 1998, he formed Contour Performance Products, a divison of CHI, to pursue the development and marketing of gears in the racing and high performance industries.

In 2003, Mr. Storm created a new product and business unit, Real Power, which focuses on producing electrical power on mobile vehicle platforms.

During the fall of 2007, CHI created a satellite location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. This facility includes purpose-designed utilities, computerized gear inspection equipment, and a complete metallurgical laboratory to support their customers in Central and South America.

As a result of his significant accomplishments, Mr. Storm has been the recipient of numerous awards including Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year from the Society of Manufacturing Engineering (SME), Distinguished Engineering Alumni from Purdue University, Outstanding Materials Engineer from Purdue University and Triangle Franternity’s Distinguished Alumnus Citation. Currently, Mr. Storm also serves on the Advisory Committee for the School of Materials Engineering at Purdue University.

Contour Hardening has a staff of 75 and boasts annual sales of $20M.

Mr. Storm was a co-op at U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana for a total of 23 months.

For his technical leadership and entrepreneurship in establishing Contour Hardening, Inc, the School of Materials Engineering is proud to induct and honor John M. Storm into the co-op Hall of Fame. Mr. Storm is a BSMSE ’77 graduate.