Atlas GmbH: with a tailwind into the next 100 years

The 100th anniversary of Atlas, the renowned crane and excavator manufacturer

The year 2019 is of special importance for Atlas GmbH - in a multiple sense. The 100th anniversary of the renowned crane and excavator manufacturer has attracted the attention that such a traditional company with its four locations (in Ganderkesee, Delmenhorst, Vechta and Bradford in Scotland) and 700 dedicated employees generating sales of over 200m€. 

This was clearly visible for the entire industrial and construction sector at bauma 2019 in Munich. In 1958, the first of the world's largest construction machinery fairs took place with only 13 exhibitors, including H. Weyhausen KG (now Atlas GmbH). Then as now, the trade fair presentation of ALTAS is the linchpin for dealers and interested parties from all over the world. After all, you can be sure that Atlas will be presenting innovations that serve only the progress of the industry.  

This is why Atlas GmbH is represented with its products in 62 countries around the world and maintains one of the largest dealer networks in the industrial and construction machinery sector in Germany. Proximity to the customer and always serving the benefit for everyone - this is where the traditional attachment of today's management to the values of Hinrich Weyhausen, who founded the company in 1919 in the stable of his parents' farm in Hasbergen, can be seen. 

This is the continuation of a success story that must be unparalleled and that this is an occasion to celebrate, that was the focus of Atlas'  festive week from 15 to 19 May. Although production was carried out as usual, the Ganderkesee dredging plant offered hourly guided tours for dealers and customers on the three open working days - an opportunity that some 300 to 400 guests took advantage of every day. "It's fascinating how close you get to production at Atlas and see how much know-how and time it takes to produce an excavator on your own - not to mention the special models for which Atlas is known beyond the normal machines!“ The impressions of the visitors were summarized in this and similarly enthusiastic way.

Numerous guests also took the opportunity to pile up entire mountain worlds of sand at the new Test and Demo Center. No wonder that this "mega sandbox" was also the destination of many excavator fans on Sunday, the closing day of the festivities. In addition to the many other attractions that were set up on the entire site for the active and former Atlas employees and their relatives and were used throughout the day by a good 5500 guests.

It was a big, happy celebration, in the tradition of this important company, with positive prospects for a stable, successful future. The extent to which this consistency is appreciated internationally by the industrial and construction sectors was demonstrated at the gala evening by 200 invited guests from 13 nations worldwide, including Japan, Canada, the USA and, of course, Germany. Few of them were the descendants of Hinrich Weyhausen's companions and, like their ancestors, convinced Atlas dealers.  In their honour, the hall of the test centre had been transformed into an enchantingly decorated ballroom, thus providing the perfect setting for an unforgettable celebration. Who lacked nothing, especially the memory of Hinrich Weyhausen. 

A special tribute will be paid to him and to all those who have inherited his heritage in the name of Atlas with a lavishly designed 100-year chronicle which is available up on request via the online shop of Atlas GmbH at www.i-atlas.com