ATAS International Holds Manufacturing Day Event

ATAS employees participating in panel discussion, shown from left:  Jim Bus, Chris Dybach, Danielle Biggs, Mike Gianfrancesco, Allison Guzley, Dylan Repsher, Kevin Klersy, and Ed Webb.

Allentown, PA - In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2016, ATAS International Inc. opened their doors on October 7 to area students. Schools that were represented included: Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville; Sacred Heart School, Allentown; Parkland School District, Allentown; and Career Institute of Technology, Easton.

This program was designed to expand knowledge of manufacturing and improve public perception of today’s manufacturing career opportunities. Students were able to tour the ATAS facility to experience first-hand the processes in which metal components for the building envelope are manufactured. They also viewed a panel discussion consisting of several ATAS employees, who spoke about their positions in departments that include production, marketing, sales, technical services and human resources. Students learned that every person within a manufacturing company must work together to produce a quality product and provide exemplary service to their customers.

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers. Studies show that almost 80 percent of Americans believe manufacturing is important to our economic prosperity, standard of living, and national security. Yet only 30 percent of those surveyed would encourage their children to go into manufacturing careers. This is a trend that must be reversed and which Manufacturing Day seeks to address by giving more people an opportunity to discover what modern manufacturing environments are really like.

“There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology,” said Jim Bus, Executive Vice President of ATAS International. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56, and between now and 2020 there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers who will need to be replaced.”

Manufacturing Day is co-produced by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Partners include Edge Factor and the Science Channel and guest producer, Industrial Strength Marketing.

About ATAS International Inc.

Founded in 1963, ATAS International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of metal roofing, wall cladding, ceilings, perimeter 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 panels; concealed or exposed fasteners; smooth or embossed textures; horizontal and vertical applications; and a choice of over 40 stock colors with 70% PVDF finish.

With sustainability at the forefront of modern building design, ATAS proudly supports green building objectives with high performance solutions, such as solar-ready roof panels, insulated metal panels, 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 your project, from initial discovery and design to installation. ATAS has two ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing locations in the United States: the headquarters in Allentown, PA, and their facility in Mesa, AZ. ATAS also has a second location in Allentown, PA, and recently added a new manufacturing location in University Park, IL. For more information about ATAS International, visit www.atas.com or call 610.395.8445. For more information on InSpire, visit www.inspirewall.com.