ATAS International, Inc. is once again honored to receive a prestigious Top Workplace award.  This is the fifth consecutive year that the award has been earned, and ATAS is one of only four manufacturing firms in the Lehigh Valley to receive this 2020 honor from The Morning Call.

The organizations who receive a Top Workplace award are determined solely on the results of an employee engagement survey consisting of 24 questions, administered by Energage, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including employee engagement, leadership, alignment, connection, coaching, performance, and “the basics” (which include pay, benefits, flexibility, training, and expectations).  Companies that participated in the survey could be public, private, non-profit, or governmental, and had at least 35 employees in the region.  There is no cost to enter the Top Workplaces program.

“Recruitment and retention are a key focus for every organization today.  The employee engagement survey at the heart of the Top Workplaces program provides the foundation for unearthing unique culture differentiators to recruit and retain the right talent,“ said Bob Helbig, CEO of Energage, The Morning Call’s research partner for Top Workplaces of the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania.  This year, 81 organizations agreed to take the employee survey.  Combined, they employ 26,284 people.

Comments made by ATAS employees while completing the survey were not only shared with the owners and managers at ATAS, but with all the employees.  Along with the positive feedback were suggestions on areas for improvement, which will be reviewed and considered for implementation.  Some of the survey comments made anonymously by the ATAS team members include:

• Good work environment that feels like we all have the same goals in mind
• I love my job because I work with great co-workers and team players
• The company is always planning for the future
• Management listens to all opinions and concerns
• The company consistently works toward making improvements for customers and staff
• My manager allows me to be a decision maker, values my opinion, and treats me with respect
• I have been given the ability to shape my future within the organization; hard work and determination are acknowledged

As the ATAS point of contact for the Top Workplaces survey, Anne Hicks, Executive Assistant, stated, “People have to feel good about what they do to be successful at it.  Top Workplace is a tool that can identify a company’s weaknesses, so improving can be achieved.  Both employer and staff benefit.”

Jim Bus, Executive Vice President at ATAS International, said, “ATAS is thankful for our employees and their efforts, which are what truly makes ATAS a Top Workplace. We are proud to support our employees with training and advancement opportunities, and encourage them to provide us with feedback and ideas on a continuing basis.  Many of their suggestions have been implemented to improve our products and services, and our work environment.” 

This year, ATAS is celebrating their 57^th year in business, and the last 36 years have been in the Lehigh Valley.  They will soon be breaking ground on a new world headquarters and expanded manufacturing facility in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, which will enhance their continued growth in production, building materials innovation, and overall employment of additional team members.