ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa., is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Second generation owners and brothers Dick and Jim Bus continue to advance the company, just as their parents did four decades ago.

An immigrant from the Netherlands named Jacobus P. Bus started the company in 1963 as a siding and trim installer. Jack operated his company out of the basement of his home in Rochester, N.Y. In 1972, Aluminum Trim and Shapes moved its manufacturing facility to a 12,000-square-foot building. The company expanded into the production of light-gauge commercial panels and residential siding. At this time, the corporate structure was changed and Aluminum Trim and Shapes became ATAS Aluminum Corp.

With the addition of more profiles, colors and metals, ATAS quickly outgrew the manufacturing facility in Rochester and decided to relocate to Allentown, Pa. In 1985, a new 104,000-square-foot building was dedicated. In 1995, the decision was made to officially change the name to ATAS International Inc. in order to convey the fact that its capabilities were not limited to the sole production of aluminum products. The company manufactures products of steel, copper and zinc as well. The name change also expressed the company’s continual growth across the borders and overseas with more involvement in international trade.

A 30,000-square-foot building was added to the Allentown plant in 1999, which includes offices, training rooms and expanded production areas. To expand service to the South and West, manufacturing facilities were opened in Mesa, Ariz., and Maryville, Tenn. In 2003, the company’s plants have over 50 rollformers, three shears, 10 brakes, slitters and cut-to-length equipment, all with computer-aided precision tooling. Millions of square feet of architectural metal panels (wall, roof, ceiling, trim and accessories) are fabricated annually.