CPSC Chairman Awards Safety Commendation to Wayne-Dalton Corp.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Chairman Ann Brown has awarded the Chairman's Commendation to Wayne-Dalton Corp., headquartered in Mt. Hope, Ohio.

Wayne-Dalton received the commendation for making garage doors safer through innovative designs that will help prevent injury to consumers. Wayne-Dalton garage doors feature:

-- A door panel design that helps eliminate finger injuries;

-- A system that encases potentially dangerous garage door springs in a steel tube; and

-- A tamper-proof bottom bracket to reduce the risk of injury from components under tension.

To educate consumers about garage door safety, Wayne-Dalton launched a nationwide campaign that includes a web site on garage door safety and a free garage door safety kit.

"Wayne-Dalton has developed innovative designs for garage doors that advance consumer safety. Its leadership challenges other garage door manufacturers to meet these high standards and help reduce injuries," Brown said in announcing the commendation, which honors exceptional achievement in promoting product safety.

Bert Bennett, President and Chief Operating Officer of Wayne-Dalton Corp., accepted the commendation today on behalf of the company at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "We are extremely honored to receive such high praise and recognition for our ongoing commitment to consumer safety. All of our employees and dealers are very proud of this major accomplishment. It reinforces our dedication to garage door safety through heightened public awareness and a garage door system that is safer by design," said Bennett.

Wayne-Dalton is a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial garage doors, rolling steel doors, garage door openers and residential entry doors. It currently operates over 80 company distribution centers, 1,200 independent dealers and 12 manufacturing divisions throughout the United States and Canada.

Wayne-Dalton is the first company in the garage door and opener industry to receive the Chairman's Commendation. Other recipients have included Toys "R" Us; Procter & Gamble; Sunbeam Plastics; Playskool, a division of Hasbro Inc.; Rollerblade Inc.; the International Inline Skating Association; the Whirlpool Corp.; the American Furniture Manufacturers Association; Face Guards Inc.; the Rogers Sports Corp.; the Safe Strap Company; the city of Pittsburgh; the state of Colorado; and Lowe's Companies Inc. and Lowe's Home Safety Council.

Chairman Brown initiated the commendation program to recognize substantial contributions to product safety by individuals, companies, or groups for one-time, ongoing, or multiple actions. Nominees for the award, which is given periodically, may be brought to the Chairman's attention. Chairman Brown will consider the following factors in choosing award recipients:

-- Actions that contribute to reducing hazards to children and other vulnerable populations;

-- Voluntary actions that are not mandated by government regulations, that anticipate government regulation, or that go beyond what the government requires;

-- Developments that affect the safety of large numbers of individuals;

-- Innovations or improvements to existing products; and

-- Safety devices, packaging, warnings, or products which enhance consumer safety.