The Irrigation Association announced the winners of the 2012 New Product Contest at the annual Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Orlando, Fla. The awards highlight exhibitor entries based on a wide range of criteria, including innovative and/or changed for the better qualities, increased irrigation efficiency, ease of use, cost benefits, time savings and design quality. Judges chose from a record number of entries in the following categories: specialty, agriculture and turf/landscape. The 2012 contest also featured a People’s Choice Award for the first time, where attendees voted for their favorite products. The winners and honorable mentions were recognized at the Irrigation Show General Session on Nov. 5.
Agriculture Category
Winner: SonTek-IQ and SonTek IQ-Pipe (SonTek, a division of Xylem, Inc.)
Honorable Mention and People’s Choice Winner: Jain GeneSys (Jain Irrigation, Inc.)
Specialty Category
Winner and People’s Choice Winner: Luxor ZD LED Lighting Controller (Hunter Industries, Inc./FX Luminaire)
Honorable Mention: Water-Vac Solids Separation System (Fountain Bleu)
Turf/Landscape Winner
Winner: Precision Soil Sensor (The Toro Company)
Honorable Mention: ETwater SmartWorks Rainbird 50-Pin Replacement Panel (ETwater Systems, Inc.)
People’s Choice Winner: LASCO Push Fittings (LASCO Fittings, Inc.)
For more information about the New Product Contest, please contact Evelyn Heinemeier by phone at 703.536.7080 or via e-mail at evelynheinemeier@irrigation.org.