Gastonia, NC — September 29, 2009 2009/10 program includes $25K in tool prizes, unique training opportunity

Chicago Pneumatic, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of high-performance aftermarket tools, accessories and compressors, and Tomorrow’s Technician have announced the call for nominations for the third annual School of the Year competition. Students, teachers, parents and school administrators are encouraged to nominate their programs for the 2010 School of the Year award by December 31, 2009.

Participating schools have the chance to win their share of $25,000 in tool prizes, with $10,000 in Chicago Pneumatic tools going to the school crowned as the 2010 School of the Year, and $5,000 to each of three regional finalists.

The prize packages for the four finalists expand in 2010. WIX Filters joins the program as a participating sponsor this year and has added $12,500 in filters to the overall prize package. In addition, the four regional finalists will have the opportunity to send select students to Charlotte, N.C., to attend the WIX Institute of Filtration Technology and a behind-the-scenes tool demonstration and tour at Joe Gibbs Racing.

In addition to nationwide recognition, the four regional winning schools will receive a commemorative trophy, Chicago Pneumatic tools, WIX filters, extended tool and filtration educational opportunities, branded gear, flags and shop banners. The winning institution will also receive a special event at their school hosted by Chicago Pneumatic, Tomorrow’s Technician, and WIX Filters, with special guest Rich Evans, car fabricator, designer, painter and owner of Huntington Beach Bodyworks.

“Chicago Pneumatic is proud to continue to support the next generation of technicians and the schools that teach them their trade,” said Jay Lewis, general manager of Charlotte Operations & Vehicle Service Americas for Chicago Pneumatic, which has given more than $55,000 in tools to contest participants in the past two years. “We have seen first hand the dedication of the students that are vying to be the future leaders in this industry, and this year’s School of the Year program expansion and new partnering sponsor WIX Filters offer these young technicians even more opportunities and rewards for their commitment to excellence.”

The Top 20 schools in the United States will be named in February 2010, with four regional winners announced in April and the School of the Year honored in May. Entries must be received by December 31, 2009. Competition guidelines, online entry form, and prize details can be found at www.ttschooloftheyear.com.

“Babcox and Tomorrow’s Technician share Chicago Pneumatic and WIX Filters’ dedication to technician training,” said Beth Skove, associate publisher at Babcox, which publishes Tomorrow’s Technician. “The School of the Year competition has been a tremendous success, and we’re very happy with the expansion of the program this year.”

More than 300 schools have entered the School of the Year competition during the past two years, including 2008 winner Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill., and 2009 winner Ohio Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio.

Since 1939, Wix® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks and off-road equipment. WIX, a member of the Affinia family of brands, is the number one filter in NASCAR and an exclusive NASCAR Performance Product. Its NASCAR relationship also includes the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award, which recognizes the drivers leading the most laps in each race. For more information, visit http://www.wixfilters.com/.

Chicago Pneumatic (CP) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of high-performance tools, hydraulic attachments, industrial and portable compressors and associated accessories and workshop equipment. Since 1901, The CP brand has served the Vehicle Service, Construction and Industrial marketplace. To learn more about CP’s dedication to pioneering design and high-performance technology, please visit http://www.cp.com/.