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Supplier Spotlight: Quality Policy Driving Growth at ATAS

By CSI HQ posted 06-15-2018 08:26 AM

  

CSI Supplier Spotlight
"Showcasing the suppliers who support CSI through partnership, products, and perspective.”

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LeeAnn_Head_Shot_4-19-17_sm.jpgContact Name:  Lee Ann M. Slattery, CSI, CCPR, LEED AP BD+C

Contact Email:  lslattery@atas.com

Job Title:  Sales Support Manager

Company/Organization:  ATAS International, Inc.

Company Location(s):  Allentown, PA (headquarters) and Mesa, AZ



Tell us about the history of your brand?

Founded in 1963, ATAS International, Inc. began business in Rochester, NY.  What started as a successful residential aluminum siding business, developed into the manufacturing of improved channels, trim and soffit for installation.  Today, ATAS is headquartered in Allentown, PA, and has three ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing facilities (two in Allentown, PA and one in Mesa, AZ).   ATAS products are sold all over the world for commercial and residential projects and they have become known as a leading manufacturer of metal roofingwall claddingceilingsperimeter edge metal, and accessories. The ATAS portfolio features an expansive selection of products available in aluminum, steel, zinc, stainless steel, and copper. Standard profiles include narrow and wide ribbed wall panels, corrugated styles, standing seam and batten seam roof systems, metal shingles, shakes, tiles, and more. Additional options include curved, tapered, and perforated panelsconcealed or exposed fasteners; smooth or embossed textures; horizontal and vertical applications; and a choice of over thirty stock colors with a PVDF finish.    

Who founded your company and why?

Jacobus “Jack” P. Bus founded the company in 1963 in his home’s basement in Rochester, NY.  He was a contractor who installed siding and trim, and prior to the advent of portable forming equipment, he noticed contractors did not have the ability to bend their own products on site.  Jack then had the idea to do it for them and provided bent trim and other products to the contractors for their projects.  This service was well-received by the contractors.  The business expanded over the years, offering a wide variety of metal wall cladding, roof panels, ceilings, and accessories, and ATAS continually adds to its product offering.  In 1985, the company moved to Allentown, PA to better service their customers, and that facility remains ATAS’ headquarters today.  The Mesa, AZ manufacturing facility opened in 2000, to serve the western portion of the country.

How has your mission statement changed, or stayed true to your brand’s original goals?

Although we have always strived to produce quality products resulting in satisfied customers, our mission has grown as the company has grown.  Today, our “quality policy” not only focuses on providing quality products and achieving customer satisfaction, it also includes emphasis on diversification (in our offering of products and services, and in our employees and customers).  Education of our employees and customers is a key component of our quality policy, along with achieving profitability for our customers and for ATAS.  Keeping our quality policy in the forefront of our daily business is one reason why ATAS has been ISO certified since 2006.

What value does working with CSI members provide to you?

ATAS was the second company to sign up for the CSI Corporate Partner Program in 2010.  Even before then, we have always considered the CSI members to be very important contacts for us.  Due to that, all our Product Representatives are CSI members, and many sit on their local chapter board or act as a committee chairperson or member.  As well, we expect our Product Reps to pass the CDT (Construction Documents Technologist) exam to achieve that certificate, which will expand their knowledge in the entire construction process, the people involved throughout, and the documents used to achieve the best constructed building possible.  This knowledge not only helps their career, but is also extremely important to be able to help our customers with their projects.

How does your partnership with CSI inform what you do?

The partnership with CSI allows us to keep informed of industry trends and updates.  CSI members have provided ATAS with valuable feedback on our products and services, whether at CSI meetings and events throughout the country, at the Master Specifiers Retreat or CONSTRUCT, or acting as members of various ATAS Customer Advisory Boards.  Improvements to our website and marketing materials, ideas for new products, suggestions for tools and services to help them do their job better, etc., have resulted from our dialogue with CSI members.

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What are the one to three key products you would like to highlight for CSI members?


Metal Wall Cladding – single skin panels, both solid and perforated, metal composite wall panels, and insulated metal wall panels.
Metal Roof Panels – standing seam, shingle, tile, and shake profiles, as well as insulated metal roof panels.
Metal Ceilings and Soffits – solid and vented panels available

Why are these products important right now?

With sustainability at the forefront of modern building design, ATAS proudly supports green building objectives with high performance solutions, such as solar-ready roof panelsinsulated metal panels, ENERGY STAR® qualified cool roofing products, and solar air heating wall panels. The ATAS team consists of product and market specialists that provide a high level of support for projects, from initial discovery and design to installation. 

What are the most important developments in your area of expertise in the past 10 years?

ATAS is continually updating products and developing new ones, as the building codes change and as the market demands.  Education of our employees and our customers is a key focus of ATAS, so that we stay abreast of developments within the industry and respond accordingly.  Our technical advisors and sales team members keep updated on topics which affect the building envelope, energy efficiency, and sustainability. 

What is the one industry trend you see as having the most impact in the next five years?

A current positive trend is the improved communication and collaboration on building projects.  More and more people are seeing the value of transparency and the sharing of information, to succeed in the best built project as an end result.

What about in the construction industry overall?

A concerning trend is that the entire construction industry is seeing a decline in the labor force and those trained within the trades.  We have seen a movement in reintroducing school age students to potential careers within the trades; with proper training, but without the huge student debt which may be accrued pursuing a four-year or beyond degree.  As well, those trained in the trades have the potential to be earning more soon after their schooling is completed.  Another trend we have seen is in the increase of pre-fabricated or modular construction, allowing for components of buildings to be constructed inside of a manufacturing facility with quality control and without the worry of weather delays.  With this method of construction, it also allows for buildings to be built more quickly, and therefore, allows for occupancy by owners or tenants more quickly.

What are our industry’s biggest opportunities?

A big opportunity is the training and mentoring of young people, to consider careers within the AEC industry, including building product manufacturing.  ATAS is doing our part in achieving this, by sponsoring and participating in local events such as CSI and ABC’s collaboration in the Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls, the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing student video competition, and the DaVinci Science Center’s Women in Science (WISE) Network; an initiative to encourage female students to pursue STEM-related careers.

How about biggest challenges?

The industry’s biggest challenges include the dwindling workforce within the trades, and as well, the decline within industry association membership.

Please share something CSI might not know about what you do?

CSI members may not be aware of the vast line of ATAS’ products and services.  Although well-known for metal roof and wall panels, ATAS offers so much more, for both the building envelope and for interior use.  Visit www.atas.com to view the complete product and service offering.

Anything else you would like to share?

This year marks ATAS’ 55th year in business.  We have a couple employees who have been with us since the doors opened in Allentown, PA in 1985.  Several employees even have multigenerational family members working here.  This family culture and ATAS’ appreciation of their employees has helped earn the company a Lehigh Valley Top Workplaces Award for the past three consecutive years.

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