ATAS International Inc., headquartered in Allentown, Pa., welcomed members of the China Construction Metal Structure Association on Oct. 26, 2010. The visit was part of a 10-day trip of association delegates to learn about U.S. steel manufacturing procedures.
Located in Beijing, CCMSA was founded in 1981 to promote, educate and support the steel industry in China, focusing mainly on the pre-engineered building industry and structural steel. In October, officers and managers from Chinese steel companies, building materials companies and architectural design companies came to the states. In addition to visiting ATAS, the 10 delegates attended the trade show METALCON International in Las Vegas and traveled to Peddinghaus Corp., a steel fabricating company in Chicago. They also explored Hollywood, Calif.; Washington D.C.; and New York City.
While visiting ATAS, a Lehigh University industrial engineering student, Yingying Shi, assisted as an interpreter. The group toured the main plant, viewing the manufacturing processes, and the adjacent Grant Way facility, observing the energy-efficient InSpire wall system installed on the building. After the tours, everyone enjoyed a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch meal at ATAS.