AAI is Early Recipient of AutoEducator Program Sponsored by Okidata
7 December 1998
AAI is Early Recipient of AutoEducator(TM) Program Sponsored by Okidata
DALLAS, Dec. 5 -- Okidata(R), a leading international
computer printer and facsimile equipment supplier, today presented the Arizona
Automotive Institute (AAI) with a donation to fuel the technology school's
scholarship fund. The gift was made from OKI(R)'s AutoEducator(TM)
Educational Grant Initiative.
At a press conference this morning at the International Autobody Congress
and Exposition (NACE) in Dallas, TX, company officials outlined Okidata's new
educational initiative that's designed exclusively for the automotive
aftermarket.
Mark Gustavson, business development manager at the marketing firm working
for Okidata, Ryan Communications, Inc. of Syracuse, New York, explained that
AutoEducator(TM) will be partially funded by monies Okidata receives from its
new OKI automotive printer trade-in program. That's a new marketing program
the computer printer company launched recently as part of its We're Your
Vehicle(TM) vertical marketing effort in the automotive aftermarket.
Officials from AAI, Glendale, AZ, were at the NACE show today to receive a
$10,000 check from Okidata to provide financial assistance to students that
plan to attend the school's technology education program in 1999. The school
is the country's only learning facility devoted exclusively to auto
electronics technology.
John Cisler, AAI's director of advertising, attended today's press
conference and said, "We're extremely proud to be involved with Okidata and
the AutoEducator(TM) program." He added that his school looks forward to
providing automotive training to additional students made available through
Okidata's generosity.
"Working with OKI will further enhance our slogan, 'Training today ... for
the automotive jobs of tomorrow' and bring added value to our curriculum,
which has been in place for more than 30 years," said Cisler.
New Trade-in Program Provides Cash While Aiding Environment
Gustavson explained that the printer trade-in program, a limited-time
offer, is the first of its kind specifically geared to the automotive
aftermarket. "This offer will encourage end users in this market who are very
familiar with Okidata's impact printers to consider their full product line.
The trade-in offer is environmentally friendly, too, since it promotes
recycling printers and/or printer components," Gustavson added. Depending on
the quantity of new OKI units purchased, Okidata can even pay for shipping of
trade-in units.
OKI's program will allow customers in the automotive aftermarket to turn
their old working printers into cash by trading up to new OKI printers (full
details available by calling We're Your Vehicle(TM) at 888-934-9520 or
emailing okivehicle@hegi.com).
Others to Benefit from New Educational Initiative
Officials from Okidata explained that its new AutoEducator(TM) program is
designed to promote educational development within the automotive aftermarket
industry. That will be accomplished as the company works with key trade
associations like the Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA) and the
Tire Association of North America (TANA). With both groups, Okidata will be
developing a series of technology seminars and round-tables that will take
place next year in various parts of the country.
Gustavson explained that as the automotive aftermarket continues to evolve
and become more competitive and high-tech, it's important that technicians and
other providers in this industry are properly trained and educated. "As a
technology company, Okidata feels it can bring something to the table by
helping businesses in this industry improve operations in a meaningful way."
Further details on Okidata's new AutoEducator(TM) program and other
programs and services are available by calling We're Your Vehicle(TM)
headquarters at 877-AUTO-OKI, visiting http://www.okidata.com or emailing
vehicle@okidata.com.
Headquartered in Mount Laurel, NJ, Okidata, a division of OKI America,
Inc., is a full-line supplier of PC peripheral equipment, including serial
impact dot matrix printers; inkjet printers; digital LED page printers; and a
full line of plain paper multi-function products and facsimile machines.
Okidata's entire line of inkjet, Digital LED page printers and multi-function
products and facsimile machines are in compliance with the EPA's Energy
Star(R) Program. Its parent company, OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd., a
$5.9 billion multinational corporation with headquarters in Tokyo, is a world
leader in information processing systems, telecommunications, and electronics.
More information about Okidata and OKI products and services is available on
the Okidata Internet Website: http://www.okidata.com.
OKI and Okidata are registered trademarks, and People to People Technology
is a trademark of OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd. AutoEducator(TM) and We're
Your Vehicle(TM) are trademarks of OKI America, Inc. Energy Star is a
registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.