Ice Industries Awards Grant to Youth Robotics Team
SYLVANIA, Ohio – May 12, 2011 – Continuing its tradition of cultivating excellence in the engineering sciences, Ice Industries has become a sponsor of the NC GEARS team in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). The considerable financial assistance which accompanies the sponsorship will help cover material costs and travel expenses for thirty high school students and their mentors, enabling them to focus on gaining practical experience in multiple disciplines.
FRC terms itself "the varsity sport for the mind." Through local, state, and national competitions between teams of robot builders and programmers, students hone their skills while gaining valuable real world experience. Ice believes encouraging such development is critical to preparing today's youth for tomorrow's challenges.
"We are extremely proud being able to sponsor these exceptional students," said Howard Ice, Ice Industries' Founder, Chairman, and CEO. "Given that both FRC and Ice recognize the necessity for continuous intellectual growth and technology advancement, the fit between us was natural.
The NC GEARS robotics team recently competed in both the Michigan State Championships in Ypsilanti, Michigan; and the International Championship in St. Louis, Missouri.
Said Paul Bishop, Ice Industries' President and Chief Operating Officer: "We are thrilled to witness the skills and experience these students are gaining through the program. We're confident their participation in the FIRST program will help prepare them for future success in the much needed disciplines of math, science, and engineering. Support of programs like this will help the U.S. remain competitive in manufacturing into the future."
About Ice Industries
Ice Industries is an international provider of large format, deep draw, high tonnage metal stamping, welding, and assembly to a diverse customer base including the appliance, HVAC, medical, refrigeration, automotive, off highway, fire & safety, filtration, heavy truck, military/defense, and governmental markets. Ice is also an ASME manufacturer of tanks and pressure vessels. In addition to its traditional customer base, Ice works with customers who are unsatisfied with their current suppliers' quality and delivery, and with companies who have decided to outsource stamping as a non-core process. Ice is an SDVOSB, headquartered in Sylvania, Ohio, and serves its customers from multiple production facilities: Mason, Ohio near Cincinnati; Grenada, Mississippi; Toledo, Ohio; and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Production facilities are ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and TS 19649 certified. For more information please visit www.iceindustries.com.
About NC GEARS
NC GEARS, a FIRST Robotics Competition team, is competing in their sixth season. The team includes approximately 30 students from three public and one private high school in Newaygo County, Michigan. They are supported by a team of a half dozen coaches and mentors, including Ice Industries Engineer Mike Haaser. The team was a Division Finalist at the 2009 Atlanta International Championship, and also qualified for the 2010 championship event. NC GEARS is supported by The Fremont Area Community Foundation, Ice Industries, The Gerber Foundation, Kaydon Bearings, Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, and the people of the Newaygo County.
Contact
Ed Heller
Ice Industries IT Director
419-842-3600