Heater Craft News
Heater Craft Wins 2006 Innovation Award at IBEX.
MIAMI, November 3, 2006 - - Heater Craft Marine is one of ten marine
manufacturers honored for innovative achievement by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the
16th annual International Boat Builders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in
Miami.
The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognize those
products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from
other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry
and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; and availability to the
consumer within 60 days of award receipt. A total of 55 new products were
entered in this year’s IBEX awards program.
“From a technological standpoint IBEX is always interesting, and the show is
particularly outstanding in terms of bringing new products to the marketplace,”
says Roger Marshall, Innovation Awards chair, president of BWI and U.S. editor
of The Yacht Report. “In looking at the Innovation Awards products this year,
this is the best group of entries we’ve seen in a long time. In fact, this is
the first year within the last four that we’ve given out this many awards. There
were 15 or 16 products that could easily have won.”
The Air Fusion™ Thermoelectric Environmental Control from Heater Craft took
home the award this year in the Mechanical Systems category. “This is the only
air conditioning system that does not require seawater circulation to keep it
cool,” comments Rudow. Instead, Heater Craft uses a system in which electricity
is passed through a thermal heat exchanger that circulates glycol, similar to
the antifreeze in cars. The glycol carries heat or cool energy to a core and fan
assembly, where energy is then extracted and used to cool the compartment. The
Air Fusion is environmentally safe, has no moving parts and can produce up to
10,000 BTUs of heat and 8,000 BTUs of cold energy.
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association
representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce
more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used
by boaters and anglers in the United States. The association is dedicated to
industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data,
product quality assurance and marketing communications.
John Knutson (right) pictured accepting Innovation award on
behalf of Heater Craft.
For more information about Air Fusion contact a heater craft sales
representative.