The William O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, Presented By Snap-on, Is Back Up For Grabs at AviationPros LIVE, March 25-26, in Las Vegas

Kenosha, Wis., March 11, 2014 – Technicians from around the world will once again be competing for the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, presented by Snap-on, at the AviationPros LIVE Conference, March 25-26, at the Sands Exposition Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The trophy will be awarded to the aviation maintenance team that wins the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, an event that gives licensed AMTs, AMEs, international military personnel and qualified aviation maintenance students the chance to test their aviation maintenance skills against their peers. The two-day Aerospace Maintenance Competition runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. The awards presentation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27. 

Sponsoring the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance is part of Snap-on’s continued partnership with AviationPros LIVE. That commitment positions Snap-on as a sponsor of the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, an event hosted by the Aerospace Maintenance Council. As a sponsor, the nearly 30 teams participating will be using Snap-on tools and equipment during the competition.

“Snap-on has a long and storied history of supporting aviation technicians, and we’re very pleased to further strengthen that bond by continuing our alliance with the Aerospace Maintenance Competition,” said Andy Ginger, president, Snap-on Industrial. “We take great pride in working side-by-side with aviation technicians to not only provide them with the right tools and equipment they need, but becoming a true partner with them. That’s what the Snap-on brand brings to this critical industry.”

“It’s a privilege for me to serve as president of this most prestigious competition for maintenance professionals,” added John Goglia, president, Aerospace Maintenance Council. “I am extremely grateful for Snap-on’s generous support of the competition in partnership with AviationPros LIVE. The competition showcases the critical skills needed to safely maintain today’s aircraft and serves to encourage these professionals to hone their skills.”

Last year marked the debut of the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, presented by Snap-on in partnership with the AMTSociety and AMT Magazine. The team with the overall winning score in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition has the honor of displaying the 5-foot-tall trophy in their facility for a year, and for past 12 months it has been in California with Team FedEx LAX, which took home top honors last year. In addition to the trophy, Snap-on is awarding more than $75,000 in tools and equipment to other top finishers in the competition.  

Snap-on’s continued involvement with AviationPros LIVE and the Aerospace Maintenance Competition demonstrates its pledge and partnership with aviation technicians to further their profession.

“The Aerospace Maintenance Council and AviationPros LIVE are grateful to have the continued support of an organization like Snap-on onboard with the Aerospace Maintenance Competition,” said Michael Sasso, show director, AviationPros LIVE. “This is a world-class event for aviation technicians; it builds camaraderie among teams and benefits the industry as a whole. And Snap-on is helping make that happen.”

Attendees to AviationPros LIVE and the Aerospace Maintenance Competition will also be able to tour Snap-on’s Advanced Technology Lab (ATL) vehicle. The ATL is a customized interactive lab on wheels that brings the Snap-on experience and aviation capabilities, such as the latest in tool innovation, hand and power tools, tool control and asset management, to its customers for hands-on demonstrations. 

For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit http://www.snapon.com; for information on the Maintenance Skills Competition, visit http://aviationproslive.com/.

 About Snap-on Industrial

Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users.  Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources.  Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.9 billion, S&P 500 Company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.