AtlasIED, an audio and communication solutions provider, celebrates 90 years in business this year.
Atlas Sound has been in the industry since 1934, and, since the acquisition of Innovative Electronic Design (IED) in 2011, has manufactured commercial audio and communication technology solutions for applications ranging from transportation to houses of worship. Building on the legacy of previous owner Loyd Ivey, who passed away in Sept. 2023, AtlasIED and current owner, John Ivey, remain steadfast in its approach to operating as a family-owned business, according to a company press release.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our AtlasIED family for reaching 90 years as a global leader in audio and communications technology,” said Ivey, President and CEO. “Arriving at this milestone reinforces our commitment to never-ending growth and innovation, maintaining relevance, and high-quality service to our customers.”
Initially gaining recognition for its PA loudspeakers and microphone stands, the company says Atlas Sound catapulted itself into a well-rounded manufacturer of technologies that has revolutionized the commercial AV industry. In 2011, Atlas Sound and IED combined their sales, marketing, engineering and support teams to better serve their customers and market segments.
Today, the company says it focuses on application-based solutions with a wide and flexible range of installation and aesthetic options, including communications and audio platforms, and a broad array of loudspeakers for commercial applications. Recently announcing enhancements to its Atmosphere audio control system platform, and strategic investments in threat detection technology beam-steering loudspeakers, AtlasIED says it is well-positioned for future growth.
Though the company celebrates 90 years in 2024, AtlasIED says its beginning can be traced back to the very origin of the commercial sound industry. During the late 1920s, the Warren Harding political campaign demonstrated the need for better sound reproduction than the traditional megaphone as crowds grew at political rallies.
In 1934, Atlas Sound was the first company to combine the horn shape of the megaphone with electro-acoustics to create outdoor PA loudspeakers which is said to have greatly improved public audio and serves as an early example of the versatile solutions AtlasIED brings today to airports, hospitality, and other applications.
Bob Reinhardt and Carl Blumenthal, the company’s founders, took a special interest in mechanical devices and tooling. Noticing the demand for microphone stands, the pair began designing and metalworking. Today, AtlasIED says it remains a versatile manufacturer with full-time manufacturing facilities in Ennis, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona.
Since its inception, the company notes it has helped customers improve end-user experiences in some of the most well-known venues in the world, such as New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Moynihan Train Hall, along with supporting world-famous talent ranging from Whitney Houston to The Beatles.
“It’s an honor to be able to look back at AtlasIED’s heralded legacy, knowing that there is so much more ahead of us,” Ivey continued. “This year, we recognize our accomplishments that serve as a tribute to the people and technology who have made AtlasIED the global leader that it is today. To say we are proud is an understatement, we cannot wait to see what the next 90 years will bring!”
