"Since 1977, when SMACNA was in its infancy, Atlas has always played anactive role in our Bay Area and national organizations," said Gary Schwenk,Executive Vice President of Bay Area SMACNA. "Atlas is one of California'soldest and most respected heating and air conditioning companies; it's afamily-run business and the whole family has participated in SMACNAinitiatives. They have been a stellar member of this organization, a mentorand role model for many."

Founded in 1908, Atlas is the oldest heating and ventilating company in theBay Area and has been as much a part of San Francisco as the cable cars andthe Golden Gate Bridge. The company's history is a veritable history of thefurnace itself.

In 1908, most homes were heated by pot-bellied stoves or kitchen ranges.George Tuck, the founder of Atlas, brought something new to the market --he designed and manufactured wood and coal furnaces. The new heatingsystems were overnight sensations, establishing Atlas as the largestinstaller of "warm air" furnaces in the Bay Area.

Always an innovator, Tuck next developed the Atlas gas furnace formanufactured gas. At the same time, he invented the first integrated blowerfurnace and safety pilot light. With the advent of natural gas for heating,the firm's all-steel furnace became a leader in the industry.

In those days, Atlas' reach extended beyond the Bay Area with projects fromAlaska to the Philippines, the Panama Canal and Saudi Arabia. San Franciscowas in fact the biggest builder of gas furnaces in the country from themid-1930s to World War II.

Atlas heaters have warmed such notable structures as the StonestownShopping Center and the San Francisco Civic Auditorium, Fort Mason andclassrooms at the University of California, Postrio & Masas restaurants,the Mark Hopkins and the Hall of Justice. Former clients have been no lessillustrious, including Jack London and Melvin Belli.

The family-run business has continued to prosper guided by threegenerations of Tucks. The founder's son, Robert G. Tuck ran the company for30 years with brothers Douglas and James. Bob Tuck, grandson of George,graduated from UC Berkeley in 1972 and is currently president of AtlasHeating and Air Conditioning Company. Atlas now represents major nationalbrand furnaces and is still at the forefront of heating and ventilatingtechnology, specializing in residential and light commercial work.

The company is as community-minded today as they were in 1908, when theywere helping to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake; they arerepeatedly recognized in the local media for their good deeds.

Working with Rebuilding Together Oakland, Atlas donated a new furnacesystem to an East Bay couple in their late seventies who had gone withoutheat for over a year. The new furnace they installed allowed Mr. Pickensand his wife Glana to be comfortable in the home where they had lived forover 30 years. As the project organizers noted, "Atlas jumped at thechance to help, as they have many times over the years."

Bob Tuck has served on the Bay Area SMACNA board of directors for manyyears, and currently is Treasurer. He has also been on the national SMACNAboard, where he currently serves, and his wife Lisa Tuck has been anadvocate for SMACNA as an active member of the organization's legislativecommittee.

"Because of the opportunities the business has provided me, I want to be ofgreater service by working with SMACNA to address industry challenges anduse the organization as a forum to facilitate constructive change," saidBob Tuck, President Atlas Heating.

Like other Bay Area SMACNA contractors, Atlas Heating and Air Conditioningemploys the latest HVAC technologies and energy efficient solutions, makingsure that their employees take advantage of the training and resourcesprovided by SMACNA so that they maintain a competitive edge. "Atlasexemplifies the SMACNA model of 'standards set, standards met,'" saidSchwenk. "One hundred years in business speaks for itself -- a true legacyof quality work and customer service."

"We take pride in our work, but most importantly, we are in our fourthgeneration of a true family operation, and we love what we do," said Tuck.

About SMACNA

The Bay Area Chapter of the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors'National Association (SMACNA) works closely with the Sheet Metal WorkersInternational Association (SMWIA) Local 104 to champion standards forquality and safety in sheet metal construction. The Bay Area SMACNAchapter is the largest in the country with 151 members, employingapproximately 18,000 personnel.

Working together, sheet metal management and labor have a 100-year legacyof raising industry standards for construction quality and safety. Byproviding members with ongoing training and education, together they ensurethe highest caliber, most cost-effective work product, using the mostadvanced technologies, energy efficient systems and innovative design. Formore information please visit www.bayareasmacna.org.

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