Mike DePauw Wins Chevy Camaro SS Coupe in Wilton's 2012 American Muscle Sweepstakes


Las Vegas, NV - Mike DePauw, 35, an automation field engineer from Temecula, CA, has won the American Muscle Sweepstakes, sponsored by Wilton®, America's leader in industrial vises. DePauw and his wife, Katy, will drive home from the FABTECH show in Las Vegas, Nov. 12-14, where he will be given the keys to his prize, a brand new 6.2L, V8, 426 HP, Imperial Blue Chevy Camaro SS coupe.

"Mike was selected at random out of more than 1.6 million entries," said Henry Kao, Wilton product manager. "The Chevy Camaro was chosen as the grand prize because it's a widely recognized icon of American Muscle. The sweepstake commemorates the 71st anniversary of Wilton vises, which have held strong since 1941on two basic principles: staying true to the company's Made in USA heritage and manufacturing the most durable workholding products on the market."

"I love tools and enjoy checking out those I'd like to own in magazines and online - just drooling and dreaming," said DePauw. "The American Muscle sweepstakes caught my attention because Wilton C-clamps were offered as prizes. I would have been more than happy with a quality C-clamp - but I'll sure take the Camaro as a bonus."

When DePauw was notified of his prize by phone, he suspected it was a sales pitch or a practical joke. "When Henry told me to sit down because he had a surprise, I thought it might be a telemarketer pitching solar panels, which is common here in Southern California," he said. "I also wondered which one of my buddies was punking me. When I became convinced it was the real deal, I mouthed Camaro to my wife, and she was beside herself."

This is not the first time tools and muscle cars have impacted DePauw's lifestyle. He took four years of wood shop in high school and continues to be an avid woodworker. His first major project as a teenager was to build a cherry armoire, which he sold for $1,000. He used the proceeds to buy his first car, a used Mustang.

DePauw also likes to make or fix things for family and friends whenever he can. Recently, he constructed kitchen bench seats for his mother-in-law's kitchen, partly in appreciation for babysitting his daughter while the couple took a long anticipated Hawaiian vacation. Ironically, the DePauws went all out and rented a Camaro SS during their island getaway - a prelude to good things about to happen.

Wilton vises have anchored professional machine shops and manufacturing facilities throughout North America for decades. These rugged, innovative vises feature lifetime warranties. To learn more about Wilton and its products, visit: http://www.wiltontools.com/.

About Walter Meier (Manufacturing), Inc.

Walter Meier (Manufacturing), Inc. is a subsidiary of Walter Meier Group, a dynamic organization that delivers top quality manufacturing and climate control technologies worldwide. Walter Meier (Manufacturing), Inc. is headquartered in LaVergne, TN, and is the proud owner of WILTON®, JET®, and POWERMATIC® brands. The company has more than 4,000 dealers nationwide. From metalworking and woodworking machinery to material handling equipment and hand tools, the company's industry-leading products offer unsurpassed workmanship, performance and durability. This dedication to excellence has made Walter Meier (Manufacturing), Inc. a preferred supplier throughout the industrial marketplace.

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