ATAS International Hosts Manufacturing Day Event

ATAS employees participating in panel discussion, shown from left: Allison Guzley, Andrew Webber, Megan Kern, Seth Pohlmann, Jim Bus and Tim Coughlan.

Allentown, PA - In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2017, ATAS International Inc. opened their doors on October 5 to 60 area students and adults. This was the fifth year that ATAS participated in this event. Schools and organizations that were represented included: Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Lehigh Valley Economic Development, and Parkland High School.

Students toured 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, inside technical sales, technical services, clerical, information technology 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. They were also able to visit inside Lehigh Carbon Community College Industrial Automation Program’s mobile manufacturing laboratory, which is parked in front of ATAS’ headquarters.

Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration of modern manufacturing during which manufacturers invite their communities — including students, educators, businesspeople, media and politicians — to their facilities in a collective effort to educate visitors about manufacturing career opportunities and improve public perceptions of manufacturing. Studies show that almost 80 percent of Americans believe manufacturing is important to economic prosperity, standard of living and national security, yet only 30 percent of those surveyed would encourage their children to go into manufacturing careers. In an effort to reverse this trend, 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.”

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 transpired solar collector metal wall panels, visit www.inspirewall.com.