Specialized Enterprises Inc. is the 2005 recipient of the Kruesi Award for an automated fluid exchange system that dramatically reduces the time required for oil changes in high-volume maintenance vehicles.
Chamber President Tom Edd Wilson announced the award during the 5th Annual Spirit of Innovation Luncheon, which featured a keynote address by Ford Motor Company Chairman and CEO Bill Ford.
During his remarks to a sell-out audience of almost 1,200 in the Convention Center, the great grandson of Henry Ford said his company’s leadership in hydrogen-powered vehicles and its production of hybrid automobiles illustrate Ford’s goal combining environmental responsibility with economic gain.
Ford called innovation the key to Ford Motor Company’s future strategy and praised Chattanooga for nurturing business innovators and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit. He lauded Chattanooga citizens for coming together to envision and accomplish monumental initiatives, such as the downtown waterfront redevelopment.
Specialized Enterprises’ Fluid Exchange System consists of a replacement quick connect fitting that is substituted at a service center for the vehicle’s original oil drain plug and allows for the automatic change of vehicle fluids using the company’s oil change machines. The oil change machine is available as a permanently mounted shop unit in service areas and as a mobile unit which can be mounted in a vehicle and taken directly to the vehicles requiring oil changes and services.
"Our system is the fastest oil change available," said company President David McKin. "We can remove and replenish a 44-quart oil pan in five minutes using our automated system. We have no other current competitors with a product line such as this."
Tricycle Inc. was also honored during the luncheon with the first Technology Innovation Award, presented by the Chattanooga Technology Council. Tricycle received the award for SIM by Tricycle, the digital tufting of carpet that results in a believable texture and color-accurate image of carpet that can be viewed online or as a high-quality paper print.
The digital carpet samples greatly reduce the amount of money flooring manufacturers must invest in product samples and the time required for producing the samples. The digital or paper samples also eliminate discarded tufted samples that pile up in landfills.
"Once a manufacturer’s design and color information is set up at Tricycle, the carpet is digitally tufted on a computer then printed with total color accuracy," said Tricycle President Jonathan Bragdon. "The process of creating a physical sample is mimicked in 24 hours, eliminating waste and decreasing costs up to 90 percent."
"We are happy that the support of our hundreds of member-investors enables us to present an automotive industry leader of Bill Ford’s stature to the Chattanooga business community," Wilson said. "And we are proud to celebrate creative, cutting-edge business innovations. As Bill Ford says, the way for businesses to compete globally is through innovations achieved locally."
Besides the winners, finalists for the Kruesi Award and their innovations were:
Accurate Automation Corp. - a technique for authenticating digital information, such as photographs and financial data, for use as legal evidence.
Chattem Inc. - the Icy Hot SleeveTM, a flexible, medicated fabric sleeve that conforms to the joints delivering medicine into the skin for hours without interfering with movement.
Hinton Water Blasting Co. - a low-pressure steam process to remove decals from vehicles. It requires less time and expense than previous removal methods and doesn’t damage the vehicle’s surface.
Innovative Software Design - an automated 3-D photography system used for visual records in orthodontic, maxillo-facial surgery and plastic surgery offices.
Signix - a technique that allows individuals to immediately sign and execute legal documents online or over the phone with no special hardware, software or equipment.
The Spirit of Innovation Luncheon was sponsored by: Ivan Allen Workspace, Steelcase, Chattanooga Area Ford Dealers, EPB, Lincoln Mercury, Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith, Prebul Volvo & Volvo North America, Tandus, TVA, AirNet Group, AquaShield; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz; Chambliss Bahner & Stophel; Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, Chattanooga Technology Council, Chattem, Inc., The Johnson Group, Miller & Martin, SunTrust Bank. Media sponsors: Brewer Broadcasting, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Citadel Broadcasting, Clear Channel Outdoor, The Pulse, WAWL 91.5 FM and Waterhouse Public Relations.
