Jessica Meade started working for Atlas Metal as a teenager in the summer.
“After college, my dad offered me a job in sales, which I happily accepted,” she says. “I started working with engineering to learn our drawing processes.”
She then headed to the production floor, where she learned about manufacturing and technology.
“Without knowing it at the time, my father was preparing me to be ready to step into his shoes when the time came,” Meade says.
Here, Meade discusses the lessons learned from her father, how the company remains competitive and its technological innovations.
Q: What has it meant to carry on your father's legacy?
I have a lot of pride and respect for what my father built. It’s important that I maintain the same code of ethics and learn from the lessons that he taught me, while also progressing to meet future needs.
Q: How has your experience shaped your leadership today?
Working in and with so many functions has allowed me to become more understanding of my employees’ needs. I view any problems from everyone’s point of view to provide a fair solution. With my open-door policy, everyone has a seat at the table. Thoughts and ideas flow easier, resulting in a more productive team.
Q: What makes the Atlas brand unique?
We make our products by hand, which isn’t common in our industry. Additionally, we work with our customers to navigate challenges and answer questions. We’re adding warmth with how we operate, treat our customers and partners, and how we present ourselves.
Q: Talk about the current industry challenges.
The unknowns regarding the economy and tariffs have been a challenge. Thus far, we have not run into any large tariff issues since we build and manufacture in the U.S. and source most of our parts domestically. As we did with the pandemic, Atlas will be ready to shift, if needed, to address any of these issues.
Q: What types of technological innovations has Atlas been focusing on with its equipment lines?
We’re committed to being an industry leader and bringing innovation to the marketplace. That’s why we’ve expanded our research and development by over 200% in all metrics. In the past few years, we introduced the Infiniti Fit serving line, a GFCI breaker trip-proof element structure, the WQHC also known as VariTemp, and our newest accessory, the Pan Handler —and we have even more coming through the pipeline.
Q: What are the benefits of this technology and what makes it unique?
Atlas’ INFINITI FIT is a luxurious line with a built-in look. It’s modular, so operators can switch up their configurations very easily. The GFCI breaker trip-proof element structure allows customers to use our heating units without the need to constantly reset tripped breakers. In addition, the WQHC is our first drop-in unit that lets operators easily switch the temperature of each individual well — cold or hot, in any pattern. Finally, the Pan Handler is a unique solution that helps operators easily remove pans from wells, and it’s available in length or width versions.
