Grand Rapids, MI, October 21, 2003 -- Cascade Engineering, Inc, a world leader in engineered plastic systems and components, today announced it has received an award from one of the nation's top engineering schools for its ongoing work with students.

The 2003 Kettering West Michigan Cooperative Education (Co-op) Employer of the Year Award is given each year by Kettering University, consistently ranked among the top-rated engineering schools in the country, according to US News & World Report. Kettering selected Cascade Engineering from a list of approximately 35 West Michigan-based companies, based on the company's partnership and support of the co-op program.

The award is given annually to a company that shows exceptional commitment to student development, continued support of the program, and a commitment to matching the right student with the right job to ensure a successful educational experience.

"To be named the 2003 Kettering Employer of the Year Award is a tremendous honor," said Mike Valz, Cascade Engineering president. "Year after year, the Kettering Co-op Program has matched Cascade Engineering with a talented group of student participants, who positively impact the department where they work and the organization as a whole. The program continues to build a strong foundation for our future. By investing in today's students, we are ensuring that tomorrow's workforce will be well equipped."

The program, mandatory for all Kettering students, consists of alternating terms of class study and career-related work. The work component of the program represents a substantial portion of student curricula and each student's level of professional responsibility normally increases as he or she completes advanced coursework.

"The program seeks to integrate the theory taught in the classroom with the experience gained in the workplace," said Carmon Liversedge, Kettering University cooperative education manager. "We believe the experience our students gain working at organizations such as Cascade Engineering is fundamental to their development and gives them a head start when they graduate and enter the workforce."

Kettering University currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate students, 90% of which pursue degrees in engineering or applied science. Students in the co-op program are employed at more than 700 organizations in over 800 locations nationwide, including companies such as United Postal Service (UPS), Ford Motor Co. and Federal Mogul Corp. After graduating, an estimated 70% of students in the program continue their employment with the company that hired them for the program.

In addition to Cascade Engineering, other West Michigan companies who regularly participate in the Co-op program include 2002 award winner Siemens Dematic (formerly Rapistan), Steelcase, Inc, and Johnson Controls, Inc. Cascade Engineering currently employs 13 Kettering students in the program, and has retained seven past participants in its workforce.