ATAS International Mourns the Passing of Co-Founder Nel Bus

Allentown, PA – ATAS International Inc. announces with deep sadness the passing of Nel Bus, who co-founded the company alongside her husband, Jacobus "Jack" P. Bus, in 1963. Nel was 95 years old, and her birthday was celebrated with a large multi-generational family gathering this summer.

Nel and Jack's entrepreneurial journey began after the couple emigrated from the Netherlands to Rochester, New York, in the 1950s. While Jack worked installing siding and trim, the couple recognized an unmet need: contractors at the time lacked the equipment to bend their own trim products on-site. Jack set out to fill that gap, and with Nel's steady support, the two built what would become Aluminum Trim And Shapes (ATAS) from the basement of their family home, where they raised their eight children.

What began as a small operation grew steadily. In 1972, the company moved into a 12,000-square-foot facility in Rochester, and by 1985, seeking a larger distribution footprint, ATAS relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it remains headquartered today. Two of Jack and Nel's sons, Dick and Jim, joined the business in management roles, helping expand ATAS' product offerings and cementing the company's reputation for quality, innovation, and customer service.

Today, ATAS operates two locations in Allentown along with facilities in Mesa, AZ; University Park, IL; and Elkton, MD. Its sister company, BRIGHTSMITH Coaters, added coil coating and post-painting facilities in Morrisville, PA, and Trenton, NJ, and in March 2025, ATAS expanded further with the addition of Metalwërks® Architectural Plate Systems. The company's product lines now include metal wall cladding, metal roofing, ceilings, perimeter edge metal, and related accessories for commercial and residential construction, with several facilities holding ISO 9001:2015 certification.

More than six decades after its founding, ATAS remains a family-run business. Dick Bus serves as President and Jim Bus as Executive Vice President, with a third generation, including Mark, Eric, and Tony Bus, along with Tiffany Hutcheson, now active across ATAS and BRIGHTSMITH in operations and management roles.

Nel's legacy lives on in everything ATAS has become, and an ATAS product, Omawall, was named in her honor (Oma is Dutch for grandmother). She and Jack built this company on hard work, family, and an unwavering commitment to quality, which are values that still guide the company today.

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, architectural plate systems, 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 one in University Park, IL. On March 18, 2025, ATAS expanded its portfolio with Metalwërks® Architectural Plate Systems, located in Elkton, MD. For more information about ATAS International, visit www.atas.com or call 610.395.8445.