Eaton Ultralite Valves are 2001 PACE Award Finalist

    Business Editors, Automotive Writers

    DETROIT--March 7, 2001--Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation was honored as a finalist for the 2001 PACE Award for Product Innovation for its ULV(R) Ultralite Valves at an awards ceremony Monday night.
    Designed and developed by Eaton Automotive's Engine Component Operations, these patented Ultralite Valves were among 11 finalists in the Product Innovation category at the 7th Annual PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contributions to Excellence) Awards.
    "Eaton is thrilled to be honored at such a prestigious event," said Stephen M. Buente, senior vice president and group executive - Automotive. "The Ultralite Valve demonstrates Eaton's ability to develop new, creative technology and our commitment to bringing such product innovations to market."
    In all, winners in five categories were honored at Monday night's event held at the Detroit Opera House. The award, co-sponsored by Automotive News and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, honors innovation by auto suppliers in several categories, as selected by an independent panel of judges.
    Ultralite Valves offer a lightweight valve design for internal combustion engines which allows the use of conventional and affordable materials and finishing methods while eliminating unnecessary valve mass, due to the innovative application of a deep drawing process and the use of unusual components.
    Other product category honorees included Bose, Delphi, Dow, Gentex, Hayes Lemmerz, Hendrickson, Iteris, PPG Industries, Raytheon and Tenneco. Along with Product Innovation, awards were given in the areas of Internet and Information Technology, Management and Management Practice, Manufacturing Process, Enduring Innovations and Environment.