TAMPA, Fla. — Cummins Filtrations Fleetguard User-Friendly line of fuel and oil filters have been recognized as the top new technical product to be released in 2006, by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA).

TWNA presents its Technical Achievement Award each year at the Technology and Maintenance Council meetings in Tampa, Fla. Cummins Filtrations Mark Hassel and Jeff Sharp were on-hand to receive the award during a luncheon this afternoon. The TWNA Technical Achievement Award selection committee was comprised of: Paul Abelson, Road King and Land Line; Tom Berg, Heavy-Duty Trucking; Eric Berard, LEcho du Transport; John Baxter, Randall-Reilly Publishing) and James Menzies, Truck News, Truck West and Motortruck.

TWNA has been awarding the Technical Achievement Award since 1988. To qualify, products or services must exhibit technical innovation, have a wide applicability in the industry, offer significant benefits and be widely available. Complete vehicles are not eligible, but components and systems are.

Cummins Filtrations Fleetguard User-Friendly filters employ a shape that was reconfigured to allow filters to sit upright without tipping. Instead of metal, the body is reinforced nylon, so it won’t dent or rust. The filters install easily by hand and are removable with any standard half-inch drive ratchet. Accidental cross threading may ruin the filter, but never the engine.

“Even though there are always debates within the committee when it comes to preparing the short list of finalists, we had a surprising unanimity when it came to award top honours to the new Cummins Filtration oil and fuel filter,” said Eric Berard, chairman of the selection committee. “This year’s recipient is a shining example that innovation is everywhere. Provided that you make the effort to make visible to everyone what was invisible until you had a vision. This is precisely that kind of vision that Cummins Filtration demonstrated, and TWNA wishes to acknowledge it.”

More than two dozen products were nominated for the award, by press members of TWNA. Five other finalists were also announced today at TMC. They included: Dana’s Directed Oil Differential Technology, Eaton Fuller’s UltraShift LEP Transmission, Freightliner Group’s Rack & Pinion Steering, Lexidine’s Digital Event Recorder, and Michelin’s Anti Splash Tire Technology.