TAMPA, Fla. — The Truck Writers of North America (TWNA) have announced the four finalists for the group’s long-running Technical Achievement Award.

This year’s finalists, announced at last week’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) meetings include: HMP Thermal De-Icer from Heat Matt; Wheel Torque Solutions from Alcoa and partners; the 14X Tandem Drive Axle from Meritor; and the Bose Ride System seat. This year marks the 20^th in the award’s history. The winner will be announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

This year’s finalists were nominated by members of the trucking trade press and then scored using a point system by a committee chaired by Truck News editor James Menzies.

The very first Technical Achievement Award was won in 1991 by Grote Industries for its red LED marker light. The company has sponsored the award’s trophy ever since.

“In 20 years as the sponsor of the trophy, we have seen the positive impact it has had across all manufacturing sectors,” said John Grote, vice-president of sales and marketing for Grote Industries. “I want to praise TWNA for highlighting worthy technical advancements and for raising industry-wide awareness of the importance of technological innovation.”

To qualify, a product must clearly exhibit technical innovation, have a wide applicability in the trucking industry, offer significant benefits and be widely available. Complete vehicles are not eligible, but components and systems are.