Tax incentive keeps Atlas in Lyons

Tool & die maker has been in village since 1950s

By Steve Metsch

A longtime Lyons business is likely staying in the village thanks to Class 6B property tax incentives approved by the village board.

Trustees voted 6-0 at their Nov. 7 meeting to approve the agreement with Atlas Tool & Die Works, Inc., 4633 S. Lawndale Ave. Cook County approval is expected.

The site is probably familiar to many commuters as it is on the northeast corner of Lawndale and 47^th Street. The agreement is planned to reduce property taxes for 12 years, Mayor Christopher Getty said.

“Atlas Tool & Die is a longtime business in our community. We’ve worked with Atlas in the past. They employ many individuals from the community,” Getty said.

Owner Zach Mottl, said he was appreciative of the board’s action.

“I want to thank you all for giving us support to stay in the community,” Mottl, who is also a village trustee in Burr Ridge, told the board.

After the meeting, Mottl said Atlas will soon celebrate its 100^th anniversary and employs 80, many of whom live in Lyons.

“We turn 100 in 2018 and have been in Lyons since the 1950s. Before that we were in downtown Chicago. Lyons is a great location. You couldn’t get more convenient with transportation and, as the mayor mentioned, we have quite a few employees who live in town. At least 10 of my staff walks to work,” Mottl said.

“It’s a great area, wonderful area, with lots to offer. I’m not sure how much savings we’ll realize, but, hopefully, we’ll see some significant savings in the property tax.” Mottl said of the incentive program.

Asked if Atlas would have looked to move to another location had the Class 6B not been approved, he said, “I like it here and a skilled work force is hard to find.”

“But, the costs are tough. We’ve got property tax costs rising in Illinois, and I can’t raise my prices. We compete globally. So, I really appreciate the village and, hopefully, the county will agree as well so we can stay competitive and keep these good jobs here.”

Atlas employees receive full benefits, and the company offers a 401K match, he said.

“I think we’re the type of employer people want to have. Our starting pay is $13 an hour and a lot of people make six figures. It’s a good place to work. Most of my people come and stay for 20 years or longer,” Mottl said.

Atlas primarily serves the aerospace and defense industries, along with the medical industry. “We make parts and pieces that go into radar systems, missile systems, and robots that work in hospitals,” he said.

Atlas is a family-owned business that is great-grandfather started, Mottl said.

Desplaines Valley News

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Steve Metsch

Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]