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friend who had a lead on some work for Atlas. Tey went to Grand Rapids to visit American Seating, which coincidentally needed prints tested on a Disa machine “like yesterday” Jim Gartland remembered. Jim Gartland successfully ran the molds, and about a week later he was called for more, which Atlas provided. “It just took off from there,” Jim


Gartland said. To cast the sides, Atlas uses inserts and 10 universal patterns. Different inserts are used depending on what the end-user wants. One pattern can be adjusted to make 25 different designs. To accommodate the inclines of rows of bleachers, the seat sides go up in degrees, starting at 2 degrees. Te first stadium that Atlas cast the seat sides for was the Ballpark in Arlington (now called Globe Life Park) for baseball’s Texas Rangers. Built in 1994, the stadium was part of a wave of new parks that tried to emulate the look of older fields. Te workmanship Atlas provided was a solid fit for Amer- ican Seating’s needs, and was another step in the companies’ relationship. “Without a doubt, I think the own-


Atlas Foundry keeps its patterns in a well-organized warehouse.


Foundry. “We’re continuing to upgrade equipment.” Te company has also found a


memorable niche, one that represents a steady part of its business but also one that will leave a lasting impression on anybody who’s ever been to a major sporting event.


A Niche Through Good Business


Te history of Atlas began in 1893 when it was founded under the name Marion Gray Iron Foundry by M.F. Gartland. Over the next 100-plus years the facility went through changes and evolutions, with a major transition coming in 1983 when Atlas installed its first Disamatic automated molding machine. Tat allowed the facility to


24 | MODERN CASTING August 2016


move into its next era and set itself up for the future by improving and mod- ernizing its casting process. Since then, the facility installed a


second automated molding machine around the turn of the century and replaced the older one in 2015. Te new lines allowed Atlas to


move into a unique and profitable niche: casting sides and other com- ponents of seats at stadiums, arenas, theaters and classrooms. According to Atlas, it makes up about 10% of its annual business but can be more if other industries are slowing down. It’s a niche Atlas has been in for


over 20 years. How the metalcaster got into it is a lesson for other companies. Now-CEO Jim Gartland had a


ership’s involved at Atlas,” said Bruce Weener, vice president of customer service, American Seating. “When the ownership’s involved you can develop a relationship and if you can develop a good relationship with somebody, that’s who you want to do business with. We’ve had a good relationship with Atlas’ management for over 20 years.” Tat relationship came in handy


for American Seating in 2015 when it was putting in new seats for a large football stadium. The re-seat, and other projects


for some minor-league baseball parks, were jeopardized by a dock strike that made it difficult for American Seating to import the products it needed to complete the projects. Not only did American Seating need the sides, but it also needed parts for the seat centers. In stepped Atlas, supplying an extra


15,000 castings. “Tey stepped up and filled that


void,” Weener said. “I’m sure they didn’t fit that in without some pain and suffering on their part. Even


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