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Contest spotlights hometown industry

OEM manufacturer Tap Associates, Mariposa, Calif., has announced the establishment of the Machined in America contest. This national effort is organized for machine shops and manufacturing companies to participate in a fun but serious campaign to promote hometown pride and work in the U.S.

Via the official contest Web site at http://machinedinamerica.com, participants can submit photos and descriptions of their American-made products. Twelve finalists will be chosen from all qualified submissions. An independent panel of judges will select the grand-prize winner from the 12 finalists. Online voter results at the end of the contest will determine 2nd- and 3rd-place winners. Contest guidelines, cash, and prizes are detailed on the contest site.

Companies that want to be involved without entering the contest can offer a donation of their American-made product or service to the prize pool. There is no set value, and donors will be promoted on the contest site.

Judges are Pete Beatty, CEO of Media Web Link; Eric Cram, director of sales and marketing with Lovejoy Tool Co. Inc.; Paul Gentile, CNCzone, Machinist Forum; Jason Gerardot, purchasing manager with Western Tool & Supply; Kent Gladish, marketing and sales director with TMA; Pete Nofel, Machining Business News; and Scott Viessman, A-1 Jet LLC Waterjet Cutting and Design.