Atlas Metal got its start in 1948 in Hialeah, Florida, founded by Goodwin “Goody” Salkoff. In those early years, the company fabricated A/C ductwork to support the hotel building boom that was transforming Miami Beach.

But even then, Atlas was determined to grow its capabilities. The shop supplemented its day-to-day hospitality work with custom jobs, from sculptural pieces to memorable one-off projects. This even included a shark tank cover for the 1965 James Bond movie Thunderball.

On the heels of Atlas expanding beyond ductwork into high-quality stainless steel fabrication for hotel kitchen equipment, Marriott took notice. The hotel chain inspired the development of the Set-N-Serve line of self-contained drop-in pans. These innovative new products made serving lines easier to specify, install and operate.

Early models like WIC, WH, WIH, WCM, WSB and WF helped establish Atlas as a respected foodservice specialist.

In 1967, Atlas was purchased by Mercury Aircraft to serve as a contract supplier for IBM in Boca Raton. The following year, the company moved into its current location, where production was split between electronic cabinetry for IBM and Set-N-Serve food serving equipment.

For more than a decade during this era, Atlas operated in two worlds at once: precise technical manufacturing and handcrafted, heavy-duty foodservice solutions.

Atlas added a second plant to its headquarters in 1981, giving the company room to grow. As IBM began scaling down its Boca Raton presence in the mid-1980s, Atlas refocused its attention squarely on foodservice equipment. This led to the acquisitions of Levelmatic in 1991 and Precision in 1992, helping the latter out of bankruptcy.

After operating separately for a short time, all business units were pulled under one roof at Atlas’ current location. This move helped to mobilize growth efforts and strengthen the company’s foodservice foundation.

With an expanded product line, a stronger marketing presence and the same hands-on manufacturing spirit that started it all, Atlas continues to grow its reach. We’re proud to supply handcrafted, American-made serving line equipment to more operators across a full range of foodservice industries.

In 2023, longtime owner and president David Meade passed the torch to his daughter, Jessica. She is proud to carry the company’s Making Metal Personal legacy into its next chapter of growth.