TechBirmingham thrives through its immensely talented and diverse group of member companies. Meet our Member Companies is an ongoing Q&A series highlighting this group of movers, shakers and makers in Bham’s tech industry.
Meet Robert Fuqua, Founder, President and CEO at Atlas RFID. Fuqua was born in Birmingham and lived here until he left to attend West Point at 18. He lived in many parts of the country before returning to Birmingham in 2006. Read on to get to know more about his company, Atlas, and the great things they are doing in Birmingham and beyond.
Hi Robert! Let’s get started — Tell us more about Atlas RFID.
Atlas RFID was founded in 2007 to bridge the gap between the capabilities of auto-ID technology and the commercial needs of efficiency-conscious firms. The company is comprised of three divisions: Jovix™ division, our retail store, and our custom development division. Jovix™ is an auto-ID based modern materials management system for large industrial construction projects. We have been deployed on 200+ sites on 3 continents, and are the world leader in modern material management that uses real-time material information to inform construction processes.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about your field?
There is a lot of competition in the software industry, and technology is driving change and innovation all of the time. Sometimes there is reluctance to invest in a new software because buyers are adverse to a high-risk investment in a cutting edge technology. This is why it is so important for us to support our clients and focusing on them getting the greatest value from their investment in our product. We must focus on innovation and making the product better, but it is also imperative to support our clients and their unique project goals so they can feel good about adopting a forward-thinking solution.
What exciting news or product/service announcements does your company have on the horizon?
We expect Jovix™ to be on 5 continents within the next couple of years. We believe, without hyperbole, that we are changing the construction industry for the better. Atlas has opened two new office locations this year, in Houston and Calgary, and we see no signs of slowing down.
How do you feel about Bham’s tech scene?
I’m optimistic that the future in Birmingham tech is bright. As Birmingham continues to invest in revitalizing the city and retaining our younger population, we will see a greater ability to keep our talent, and provide rewarding career trajectories for the next generation of innovation.
Anything else about you or your company you want us to share?
We are grateful for the support of the Birmingham community, the Innovation Depot, and our tech community. Atlas RFID has come a long way since starting in 2007. I’m incredibly proud of the talent we have attracted, the company culture we have established and, ultimately, the team that we have built. Together, we are working hard to build a world-class company right here in my hometown; I do not take this opportunity lightly and I’m very proud of the success this team has achieved to date.
Very cool! Thanks so much for sharing, Robert!
Connect with Robert and Atlas RFID on the social media links below!
Atlas RFID on Twitter: @AtlasRFID
Atlas RFID on Facebook: facebook.com/atlasrfid
