ATAS International, Inc., a family-owned business that went from a siding and trim installer to an industry-leading manufacturer of metal panels for the building envelope with locations across the United States, is celebrating its 60th year of business in 2023. Aluminum Trim And Shapes was founded in 1963 by Jacobus “Jack” P. Bus in his home’s basement in Rochester, New York, where he, his wife, Nel, and their children resided. The journey to become business owners started when Jack and Nel moved from the Netherlands in the 1950s. The hardworking duo saw a business opportunity while Jack was installing siding and trim in Rochester. 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 business was well-received, and the company has seen tremendous growth over the years.
Since those humble beginnings, the company has expanded many times. In 1985, ATAS moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania, which was a better location to allow for a larger distribution radius. Eventually, Jack and Nel’s sons, Dick and Jim Bus, took over the business as president and executive vice president. The third generation has assumed management roles: at ATAS, Mark Bus is national sales manager and Eric Bus is operations manager, and at BRIGHTSMITH Coaters, Tiffany Hutcheson is general manager and Tony Bus is operations manager.
From the beginning, the Bus family saw opportunities in various markets by creating a large variety of innovative products. This, combined with the focus on quality, customer service and family, has made ATAS an industry leader. As new products and profiles are introduced every year, the entire ATAS team remains the central element in the company’s success.
Today, ATAS has two locations in Allentown, as well as facilities in Mesa, Arizona, and University Park, Illinois. BRIGHTSMITH Coaters, a sister company of ATAS, acquired their coil coating facility in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, in 2008 and their post-painting facility in Trenton, New Jersey, in 2016. By adding coil coating and post-painting capabilities, it results in better quality control for ATAS products throughout the entire process; from receipt of and painting raw material to transporting that material to the various ATAS production facilities through fabrication of panels and trims.
Many investments have been made to grow, improve and become more energy-efficient over the years. Those include the acquisition of additional locations; purchasing of new, state-of-the-art equipment; creation of new products; training of personnel; and installation of rooftop solar arrays and solar air heating wall panels on several of the buildings. Recent renovations to ATAS’ headquarters in Allentown will now greet their many visitors and those who use their training facilities with a modernized look. The refreshed website was recently launched, and literature has also been updated, both offering easier-to-use formats for customers. The new trade show booth was introduced at METALCON in Las Vegas last month, displaying a portion of the vast ATAS product offering.
As ATAS approaches the end of its 60th year, it is clear that the Bus family and employees have a love and dedication to the metal construction industry and will continue to be a leader in innovative and sustainable metal construction solutions. The family business, with strong roots, devoted employees and dedication to the industry, looks forward to the next 60 years.
