Inside ATI’s mission to help people recover and rebuild when disaster strikes
With over 70 locations across the US and 30 fully equipped emergency response trailers, ATI Restoration (ATI) provides key restoration services when it matters most. Serving both residential and commercial customers, ATI can rapidly mobilize teams, local resources, and advanced technologies to provide fast and reliable restoration in response to water, fire, environmental hazards, and other disasters that cause property damage.
Founded in 1989 by Gary Moore with just three employees and a small office, ATI has grown into one of the largest restoration companies in the US. For more than 30 years, the company’s growth was entirely organic, but in 2020, ATI partnered with a private equity firm to accelerate expansion. Over the following four years, ATI completed 18 acquisitions to solidify its national presence. Today, ATI is a recognized leader, delivering its mission to help people recover and rebuild when disaster strikes.
With the last three years characterized by both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, we catch up with Sean Baumgartner, Vice President of Supply Chain, to discuss the company’s significant growth. “By acquiring 18 companies and integrating them into the ATI family, we’ve expanded into new markets, broadened our expertise, and reinforced our position as one of the largest restoration companies in the country,” Sean opens. “Our legacy offices have continued to thrive by deepening relationships within their regions and strengthening our service offerings, while our M&A strategy has accelerated our national presence. Most recently, we opened offices in Fort Myers, Fort Worth, Pompton Plains, New Jersey, and Los Angeles as a consequence of organic growth.
“Our supply chain is the backbone of our promise to deliver a rapid and effective response to our clients. When disaster strikes, our ability to get people, equipment, and materials to the site quickly is essential, not only to help our clients begin the recovery process sooner but also to prevent further secondary damage. Facing a disaster means significant disruption to people’s lives and their operations, and our goal is to help them rebuild and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.”
Strategic decisions
To make informed and timely decisions, ATI uses advanced technology and strategic processes. “Before major weather events, our RealRisk™ Monitor platform is a key tool,” Sean says. “It maps our clients’ properties and integrates weather data to forecast storm paths and other potential risks. This foresight allows us to pre-position resources, such as our Emergency Response Trailers (ERTs) and generators, near areas that are likely to be affected. For our clients, this preparation means we can deploy emergency response resources almost immediately after an event.
“We maintain a fleet of 53-foot ERTs strategically placed across the country, which are stocked with specific supplies for either water or fire damage, ensuring we have the right tools for the job. Finally, we understand the importance of scalability. Our subcontractor management portal and thorough vetting process allow us to quickly bring in additional skilled trades professionals to support our in-house teams. This ensures we can scale our response to meet any demand, providing the right expertise whenever and wherever it is needed.”
Considering ATI’s services, the company is experienced in navigating access issues in difficult situations, leveraging a combination of strong partnerships, creative logistics, and advanced technology. “Our primary focus is always on safety and efficiency to ensure we can support our clients while protecting our teams and the community,” Sean states. “We must wait for clearance from authorities before entering a site; during the devastating fires in Los Angeles in January 2025, for example, our teams were granted escorted access through blocked-off areas to begin damage assessments. Such collaboration is crucial for a safe and coordinated response.
“In terms of logistics, we often need to think creatively to get our resources to where they are needed most, especially when conventional access is not an option. After Hurricane Ian hit in 2022, for instance, many roads were impassable due to flooding. For one client, we chartered a helicopter to capture comprehensive aerial footage of their commercial facilities, providing detailed visuals and data on property conditions before we could step foot on site.
“Technology is a powerful ally in overcoming access challenges,” he adds. “We use a suite of tools, including aerial imaging via drones, 3D scanning technology, and thermal imaging, to assess, document, and begin work even when physical entry is limited or hazardous.”
There when it matters most
As ATI continues to grow, its supply chain infrastructure is a key element, driving greater efficiency and value. “With a vision to simplify and improve our procurement process, we’re creating a more streamlined system that not only generates cost savings but also strengthens our relationships with suppliers,” Sean explains. “We’re working to centralize purchasing data to gain better visibility into our spending and identify opportunities for consolidation through a unified ERP platform. By optimizing our procurement strategy, we can build stronger partnerships with key vendors, leading to better pricing, improved material availability, and more reliable delivery schedules, all of which are critical in the fast-paced world of disaster recovery. From a technology perspective, we’re also deploying an equipment tracking solution to enable real-time visibility of our equipment, the jobs in which the equipment resides, its overall utilization, and other important metrics.”
As we look ahead to 2026, Sean shares that ATI is focusing on building a more unified and efficient operation and continuing to strengthen its core business through residential and commercial growth. “2026 is about coming together as one ATI – a single, cohesive team dedicated to providing best-in-class service and helping our clients rebuild their lives and businesses faster and more effectively than ever before,” he explains.
“I’d like to see ATI solidify our position as one of the nation’s leading restoration companies, not just in size, but in service, innovation, and heart. Our vision is to continue our sustainable growth, expanding our footprint to new communities while deepening our capabilities in the areas we already serve.
“However, while we’ve talked a lot about technology, strategy, and processes, our business is fundamentally about helping people,” Sean concludes. “The success of our supply chain isn’t just measured in efficiency or cost savings, but in our ability to help families return to their homes and businesses get back to work sooner. As we continue to grow and innovate, our commitment to supporting our clients with compassion and care will always be our guiding principle. It’s what has defined us for over 35 years, and it’s what will continue to drive us forward.”