After six decades, Atlas Technologies remains one of Michigan’s brightest pressroom automation stars. Serving industries across the globe from energy to aerospace, automotive, and appliances, this vibrant outfit is also known for impressive die change systems, sheet metal destacking systems, and much more. The company rose to prominence through perpetual investment in next-generation technology and an unwavering commitment to navigating change, earning it the trust of clients around the globe.
The company is respected in its field and trusted by major brands for front-line material handling systems, standard and custom large-volume stamping, stacking and destacking systems, and other sheet metal stamping, fabricating, and handling automation equipment. It also specializes in inductive-power-driven die-movers and fast die changers that can handle dies of 80 tons and more. Moreover, Atlas is well known for machine safety that customers rely on.
From its state-of-the-art facility in Fenton, the company is always prepared to pivot in response to market changes. This is partially achieved through its high level of employee engagement, something of which the team is especially proud. As a part of Stonebridge Technical Enterprises since 2020, Atlas Technologies has been known for its strength.
“Metal forming is cyclical by nature; we’re pleased to say that we’re able to work with these changes and still grow through them,” President David K. Hense, P.E., says. This is largely thanks to the company’s outstanding employment and general management practices, while sound environmental, operating, and quality procedures and policies also contribute to its ongoing success.
This leader in its field considers providing its teams with ample, quality training paramount to its accomplishments. A recipient of a Going PRO training grant from the State of Michigan in 2024, the company has continued to train its staff in engineering and other technical fields, general job skills, safety standards, and more. As part of the grant, all employees completed formal training underwritten by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The company is not legally required to provide this specific level of further education, but Hense believes it is central to remaining relevant and at peak performance. “It sure is nice to be able to bring in a professional and make sure that all of our employees know what is expected from the company, employees, and the government [with regards to] safety [standards],” he says.
Since the company specializes in the technicalities of engineering equipment, it was a boon for its staff to have access to formal courses that included training in blueprint reading, hydraulics, and more, and the company is building on this to further the in-house education it provides. As a press-room equipment leader handling loads weighing tens of thousands of pounds—alongside crane and lift truck handling—the safety of its people remains one of the company’s largest concerns, making investment in this area an easy choice.
“A small misstep in handling can be severe. You can lose life or limb, and it happens really fast,” he says. “I was happy that we could update all that training as well.”
Beyond training, the company has also driven change through technology. To this end, the Stonebridge Technical Services division recently introduced AI cameras to its designs. Although the technology certainly comes with challenges, the team is learning and adapting swiftly. “AI is helping to avoid gray areas by analyzing [process images] thousands of times to optimize operations,” says Hense.
The company also recently invested its six decades worth of expertise in improving the control system technology on its die-change products. Other upgrades were applied to its destacking systems and now, it has created the most impressive destacking system yet. Where such systems typically feature variable frequency drives or hydraulics, Atlas’s latest pride and joy is a unit based on servo-axis technology, creating a superior piece of equipment destined for a fortunate customer.
Other improvements include expanding its in-press transfer finger tooling units that typically enable passing sheet metal parts through transfer presses. Now it is being applied in creating ergonomic handles for handling equipment, camera light mounts, and other applications. In addition, Atlas has created bundle turnovers for tailor-welded blanks. That means sheet metal blanks of different heights destined for right- and left-hand applications, respectively, are better protected during flipping processes.
In preparation for further growth, Atlas also implemented a sophisticated new enterprise resource planning system. This has revolutionized the volume of data available from which to make rapid, safe operational efficiency adjustments. Having invested funds and thousands of team hours in customizing the system to suit its operations, the result could not please Hense more. So, neither the difficulties nor the humorous moments the process presented are lost on him as he counsels with customary warmth against saddling up such a fickle horse. “It’s incredible, but implementation was not fun,” he says with a smile.
Complementing the enterprise resource planning system is a custom, industry-leading reporting system that sweeps every department and fabrication aspect to give global, concise, and correct figures, giving the company a firmer grip on detailed job costs throughout. Moving forward, Atlas Technologies is invested in maintaining consistent quality and system improvements.
“To prepare ourselves as we have in the past, we continue to update our quality systems and our quality processes, which are our internal roadmap for how we do things,” Hense explains, noting that keeping tight reins on this aspect of the business ensures that processes are thoroughly followed.
Continuous improvement also drives the company’s team members, who enjoy what they do as much as spending time together, leading to an ongoing sense of celebration. “In the end, if you can’t smile at work, you shouldn’t be there,” says Hense. Sharing how important the company’s team is, this president does not hold back when praising their efforts. “Our celebration is when we get together as a company. We celebrate with each other the progress that we’ve made together.”
As well as upholding its traditions of gathering at company luncheons and other events, Atlas Technologies supports a host of charitable organizations. One of its favorite traditions, however, is its sponsorship of Fenton Robotics. The performance of these brilliant young science students in local competitions has made the company proud. “We’re growing new talent for the future,” Hense says. There are also sports teams, including Special Olympics teams, and other organizations that benefit from the company’s success.
Such generosity reflects the team’s passion for staying engaged with the world and making a difference. “Atlas Technologies has grown and expanded and continues to do so,” Hense says. “We’re really proud of it. 60 years is a great milestone,” he says, highlighting the importance of investing in symbiotic improvements that build to big, lasting change over time. Since the company has been around long enough to understand the value of staying the course, there is, no doubt, great wisdom in this approach.
While current market trends indicate that the industry will likely remain sluggish for now, Hense refuses to ignore the importance of stimulating growth. As a result, Atlas Technologies continues to grow despite downward shifts in the greater scheme.
“There are always challenges. We’re up for the challenge. We’re positioned… to keep moving forward despite the downturn in the metal-forming industry,” he adds. “We are who we are because of our team.”
