FLO-Corp Product Engineer Wins Artinov Rhone-Alpes Competition for High Technology


Achim Bletz of KFA and Vice President of Product Engineering for FLO-Corp, wins prestigious Artinov Rhone-Alpes Competition for his development and marketing of a new TDR (Transit Time Reflectometry) level sensor.

CLEVELAND, OH April 14, 2011 -- Flow Line Options Corp. (FLO-Corp), a leading manufacturer and national supplier of measurement and control instrumentation, today announced that Achim Bletz, Flow Line Options' Vice President of Product Engineering, was named High Technology Champion at the 2010 Artinov Rhone-Alpes Competition. The Artinov Rhone-Alpes contest aims to promote the innovative power of small businesses and their ability to always move forward despite a lack of resources.

Bletz, who resides in France, took top prize in the High Technology category for his development and marketing of a new TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) level sensor. Based on the principle of TDR, the new level sensor operates by guiding a low-energy, high-frequency electromagnetic pulse along a probe. When the pulse reaches the target surface, the pulse energy is reflected up the probe to the sensor's circuitry to calculate the fluid level from the time difference between the pulse sent and the pulse reflected. The sensor can output the analyzed level as a continuous measurement reading through its analog output, or it can convert the values into freely positionable switching output signals.

The award-winning entries were judged on various criteria, including integration of new technology, economic realism, financial realism, commercial realism, organizational realism, and the ability of the entrepreneur to lead the project. Over 200 companies applied to competed in this year's event, including 50 applicants for the High Technology category.

"This year's competition was very competitive due to the number of entries from France's innovation cluster around Grenoble. But our new TDR level sensor outshined the competition due to its outstanding potential for international commercialization" explained Bletz. "I look forward to representing KFA and FLO-Corp in the final round of the Artinov competition - on a national level - in Paris this coming June"

Dave Grumney, President of Flow Line Options said, "Achim has played a major part in our product innovation and development process. His years of expertise in the field of industrial measurements and his innovative breakthroughs specifically in level measurements has set Achim apart from his peers. We are extremely proud of his work and contribution to the world of measurements."

Bletz, who holds a degree in electrical engineering from TU Darmstadt, has worked with Flow Line Options since 2010. He is known throughout the industry as the driving force behind the first TDR level sensors as well as the further development of that technology, e.g. towards interface measurement. In addition to showing outstanding expertise in the area of TDR technology, Bletz has become a seasoned expert of the technically demanding implementation of explosion protection requirements in sensors.

About Flow Line Options
Incorporated by the State of Ohio in 1988, Flow Line Options (FLO-Corp) began as a small distribution company and has evolved into a leading manufacturer and supplier of flow, level and display instrumentation. In 1999, FLO-Corp expanded to the web to provide their services globally. Even with the company's rapid growth, FLO-Corp continues to maintain a small business attitude and commitment to its customers. For more information, visit the company website at www.flo-corp.com

About The Artinov Competition
The Artinov competition was established in 1993 in the Rhone-Alpes and especially by the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Ain in partnership with the Conseil Général de l'Ain and the Banque Populaire de Franche Comté, Mcon and Ain. This installation was performed under the guidance of leaders of the time, conscious of the need to consider technological innovation as a key factor for development of small businesses.

Contact: Jen Millar, jen@flo-corp.com

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