In 1957, the company’s perseverance and ingenuity paid off: the process was fully refined. QIT was awarded a chemical engineering merit certificate for this unprecedented feat, and the company broke even. Moreover, the efforts poured into mastering the process did not slow down plans to expand. During the 1950s, seven more reduction furnaces were progressively added to the first. Titanium slag production grew from 2,000 to 230,000 tonnes, and iron production rose to 170,000 tonnes from 2,700. The company also developed its markets. Sales of titanium slag on the American market increased significantly, and iron exports flourished. Little by little, QIT built a solid reputation and made a name for itself with the superior quality of its products.