Atlas Electric moves from Tennessee to Kosovo, plans Albanian expansions

TIRANA, Dec 3؁tlas Electric Co. said Wednesday it suspended its operations in the Knoxville market last month and has established an office in Kosovo, where it is hoping to carve out a niche in rebuilding infrastructure such as underground utilities.
In a news release, the company said the local construction business has “lost its vitality” and blamed the tightening of credit and bond markets for its decision to suspend its local presence.
The release said Atlas has developed a national telecommunications business and that connections in that industry enabled it to open operations in Prizren, a city located south of the capital city of Pristina.
“We are going to bring our expertise and workmanship to this developing country and build our business through international relationships,” Atlas President Harry Sherrod said in the release, which also indicated that Atlas would seek work in Albania.
According to the 2009 News Sentinel Book of Lists, Atlas employs 166 electricians, 179 total employees and has a turnover of $23.2 million in gross billings.
A news release from Atlas said the company is working to obtain public and private contracts, and that it plans to use employees US and Kosovo employess when contracts are obtained.
A spokesman for the firm said the office was opened about six months ago, and it will have to overcome “a host of challenges” to establish the office in Prizren, Kosovo.