Atlas Engineering: Our Developing Strength
By - Rich Gimmel
A few years ago, in one of our monthly employee meetings, one of our people asked me, "How will Atlas be different going into the next generation?" I remember thinking for just a few seconds, and then responding, "We'll be a lot more engineering-driven."
That statement must have seemed like a real stretch at the time, especially considering that we had only one graduate engineer in the entire company, who was assigned to our compressed air operation in Cincinnati. But it also was becoming increasingly obvious to many of our people that we needed to start doing some things differently if we were going to stand out from the crowd. We had to start doing more complex and challenging jobs, and adding more value to our work.
Standing out in the crowd
I remembered my grandfather telling me when I was a kid that, to be successful in business, "You need to go where your competitors aren't." And that philosophy has guided Atlas for three generations. We're constantly working to be different -- to stand out from the crowd. When we do that, there's a lot less competition.
We're trying to do that today in two major ways. First, by hiring the most talented people we can find in our skilled trades positions. And second, by investing in our Engineering operation and the value it adds to our work.
That combination of skilled people on the floor, and the sharpest people in Engineering, means we can do things like replace old-style chrome plating with our HVOF-applied coatings. Or, how about welding cast iron and tool steel? And, then there's also our enhanced field machining capability to handle the most challenging on-site jobs. These are all complex services we've never been able to offer our customers until recently.
Adhering to business basics
Running a successful business can be complex. But it can also be pretty simple if you adhere to some well-established basics: Build a culture of discipline in all areas, put the most talented people possible in all critical positions, and never stop trying to get better.
We've hired some amazingly talented skilled people in the last few years in our shop and service operations. And we now have five graduate engineers on board.
So look for us to continue to take on more complex kinds of jobs as this trend toward more talent and more Engineering involvement drives us into the future at Atlas. And that drive to improve never stops. That's why we call it continuous improvement.
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Editor's note: Rich Gimmel is the President of Atlas Machine and Supply and represents the third generation in the 104-year old family company.
Atlas Capabilities : 2011-04-01
