A North Texas company that manufactures survival shelters says interest in underground bunkers continues to grow, fueled by global instability, luxury home trends and attention from celebrities and wealthy buyers.
Atlas Survival Shelters, based in Sulphur Springs, has become one of the world’s largest providers of survival shelters, offering products that range from basic underground units to multimillion-dollar compounds.
Ron Hubbard started the business in 2011 and moved manufacturing operations from California to Sulphur Springs in 2017. Since then, he said demand has expanded significantly.
“This is our entry level shelter,” Hubbard said while showcasing one of the company’s products.
The shelters come in a variety of sizes and price points, ranging from approximately $20,000 to underground compounds costing as much as $25 million.
“We assemble the larger shelters,” Hubbard said.
According to Hubbard, the company currently has dozens of projects underway.
“It’s got somewhere between 50 and 60 projects under construction right now,” he said.
Hubbard said he never anticipated the scale the business would eventually reach. Interest in survival shelters has grown in recent years as celebrities, billionaires and even governments have explored emergency preparedness options.
“Zuckerberg, I don’t think I have anything about Mr. Beast up here, but you just go to YouTube and see it,” Hubbard said.
Now, he said, the company serves a wide range of clients seeking protection from potential disasters and geopolitical uncertainty.
“We really control 90+ percent of the market,” Hubbard said.
While celebrity purchases often generate headlines, Hubbard said recent concerns over continued conflict in the Middle East, including tensions between the United States and Iran, have also increased interest in shelters.
The company generates much of its revenue through parts sales and partnerships with residential developments, particularly in rural Texas, where shelters are increasingly being incorporated into new construction projects.
“And inside, they got a movie theater, they got extra bedrooms, a full bathroom, a kitchen,” Hubbard said.
Many modern shelters now include amenities that rival traditional homes, offering long-term living accommodations rather than simple emergency protection.
“Making bunkers kind of part of the anatomy of the house,” Hubbard said.
