Emhart Teknologies Announces Third Annual 'Create the Future' Design Contest for Global Engineering Community; Prizes Include Hybrid Automobile, $20,000 and Segway Transporter; Medical Field Added as New Contest Category

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--Sept. 13, 2004--In a continued effort to foster innovation and spark creativity in the engineering community, Emhart Teknologies today announced the third annual "Create the Future" design contest. The contest will identify and recognize outstanding innovation and applications in the field of product design.

The contest period runs September 1, 2004 through November 14, 2004 and is open to engineering professionals, students, academics and the general public not affiliated with Emhart or co-sponsors Allfast and NASA Tech Briefs.

The grand prize is a hybrid automobile or $20,000 cash. Judges will also select one first prize winner who will receive a Segway Human Transporter. There are also three second-place prizes of DeWalt Power Tool Combination Kits, and 30 merit prizes of Black & Decker tools. Every qualified entrant will receive a POP(R) PowerLink 30 repair kit/hand rivet tool (a $50 value) as an entry gift.

"The design contest has proven to be extremely rewarding for us as an engineering-driven company," said Paul A. Gustafson, president and chief executive officer, Emhart Teknologies. "Based on the growing popularity and increasing number of entrants, we are committed to fostering innovation by recognizing the creative thinkers of the engineering community. This contest is a way for Emhart to recognize those innovative ideas and give people the opportunity to see their dreams become a reality."

Gustafson also added that this year's design contest will also feature a new entry category for medical designs. "Last year we received a great number of medical submissions that featured unique designs and the potential to improve lives. In fact, last year's winning design was a medical device that embodied the pioneering spirit of the contest," said Gustafson.

The Emhart "Create the Future" design contest has three entry categories:

-- Everyday Products - Designers may enter a significant functional or ergonomic new product, or upgrade to an existing product that improves the quality of life.

-- Medical - A mechanical or electromechanical design that improves the functionality, performance, or cost basis of medical product(s).

-- Safety - Entrants may submit a mechanical or electromechanical device designed to improve personal safety during travel, work, recreation, or at home.

-- Transportation - For a mechanical or electromechanical design that improves the functionality, performance, or cost basis of transportation product(s).

Entries will be judged based on innovation, manufacturability, marketability, and cost-effectiveness. Winners of the competition will be honored in Chicago at the NASA Tech Briefs' "Product of the Year" awards ceremony at the John Hancock Center.

Those wishing to enter the Emhart "Create the Future" design contest can complete and submit the official entry form at www.emhartcontest.com, and send an illustration of their design idea in .PDF, .GIF, .JPG or .TIF formats. Entries can also be submitted via mail by sending the entry form and illustration to: Emhart Design Contest c/o ABPI International, 317 Madison Avenue #1900, New York, NY USA 10017. For complete contest rules visit the official contest web site at www.emhartcontest.com.

About Emhart Teknologies

New Haven, Conn.-based Emhart Teknologies is the global leader in the design and creation of unique assembly technologies from concept through installation. Emhart's technology-based assembly products and systems deliver innovative, integrated system solutions to virtually any manufacturing challenge anywhere in the world. From automotive to construction, computers to appliances, Emhart products are sold in more than 100 countries. A Black & Decker Company, Emhart has 3,000 employees in 24 operating facilities worldwide. Please go to www.emhart.com for more information.