High-end golf cart manufacturer moves to Williston

Williston welcomed a new industry on August 5. Atlas, a premium golf cart manufacturer, has set up operations in part of the former Dayco building on West Street in Williston.

“We’re trying to make a high-end, premium product,” said CEO and co-founder Mark Messick. “We’re not focused on selling golf carts to golf courses, it’s all about personal use.”

Atlas operates from the west end of the 96,000-square-foot facility with Monmouth Rubber & Tire Corp. housed on the east side. Knowing the companies will operate entirely separate from one another and have the space to do so, the golf cart manufacturer felt this facility was ideal for their needs.

Founders Sanjay Kopay and Messick launched their luxury carts in January after each having long-term careers in the industry.

Kopay and Messick both worked for E-Z-GO and later Club Car, which are now their competitors, and learned the ins and outs of the business. While employed with Club Car, these men developed the Club Car Onward brand of vehicles together.

“Together, myself and Sanjay, always felt that we could do something like this,” said Messick of starting Atlas. “We had the opportunity and we felt the time was right.”

Atlas provides high end golf carts for personal use. These carts come in three varieties: a two and four passenger, as well as a four-passenger lifted model. All are equipped with a lithium battery, produce zero direct emissions, and can travel for between 70 to 90 miles based on model type.

Messick explains he aims to make owning an Atlas cart synonymous to adopting a lifestyle and joining a community of other Atlas owners.

After being assembled, the Williston facility receives carts 75% to 80% completed. The carts are only in need of final touches including seating installation, tires, a canopy structure, a windshield, programming, and a final inspection for quality control upon arrival.

Once the cart has these additions, it is sent directly to the dealer. Atlas has dealers across the nation, but more regionally in Ridgeland, Rock Hill, York, and Evans and Augusta, Ga. Consumers cannot purchase carts from the Williston facility.

“We’re so new, so we’re adding new dealers,” said Messick.

The Williston facility also stocks spare parts which are shipped to dealers upon request, and houses the company’s technical support services.

Currently, the company employs 20 individuals – 11 full time with nine contractual positions. According to Messick, the number of employees may double in the next year with many of these contractual positions turning into full-time positions created for specific employees.

“We want to give our employees a good opportunity,” said Messick. “We are not actively hiring right now, but we are always sifting through inbound interest.”

With the ample space in their current facility, Messick hopes to add full time administrative roles.

Future plans for Atlas include investing in larger assembly lines and eventually producing low speed vehicles, which are motor vehicles recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Low speed vehicles are drivable on any public highway with a speed of 35 miles per hour or less. These vehicles look similar to a golf cart but have specific product changes such as a windshield wiper, a backup camera, and a pedestrian warning sound.

“We will start manufacturing that type of vehicle very soon,” said Messick, as Atlas already has the needed registrations to get this process started.

In South Carolina, golf carts can be operated on roads with the same speed limitations during daylight hours only and the driver must have a valid driver’s license, golf cart insurance, permit and registration. In addition, a permitted golf cart can only be operated within four miles of the address in which it is registered to.

“We have a lot of growth plans for our business, and we look forward to helping the community,” he said.

In their short time in Williston, Atlas has already begun to give back. On Williston-Elko High School’s (WEHS) homecoming weekend the company loaned a golf cart to the band to use throughout their upcoming season.

Being able to build a close relationship with the community is something Messick values about growing the company in Williston. He looks forward to supporting the local economy as much as possible, and coincidentally had Russell’s Pizza brought to employees for lunch when The People-Sentinel arrived for an interview.

Messick explains the process of starting Atlas has been “indescribable.” Although he is a veteran in the golf cart industry, his mindset has changed with this startup.

“You own your own destiny,” said Messick, who is excited to make a return to Barnwell County.

“I actually started my first real job at Dixie-Narco when I was 18 years old, drove forklifts down there, so it’s kind of a coming home for me,” he said.

Messick thanked the Town of Williston at their September 11 council meeting for their support throughout Atlas’ establishment.

For more information on Atlas, visit www.atlascarts.com.