Z Capital Partners, the private-equity management arm of Z Capital Group, announced an agreement to acquire Atmosphere Annealing (AA) and NitroSteel (NS), collectively known as Premier Thermal Solutions, from Gerdau S.A. With plants in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, AA provides metal heat treating and related services to various markets. With a plant in Wisconsin, NS provides environmentally friendly, long-lasting ferritic nitrocarburized steel bars that are utilized primarily in fluid-power applications. PTS plans to expand its heat-treating services by adding capabilities through strategic acquisitions and by diversifying into additional end markets.