(L-R) David LeMaster, Associated's VP of new business development; Michael B Romano, Associated's CEO; Pat Kellen, UTI campus president; and Andy Konopka, Associated's CFO.

Associated Material Handling has funded a new student lounge at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Glendale Heights, in DuPage County, Illinois, to boost awareness of the materials handling industry.

"We are grateful to Associated for generously sponsoring the lounge, which gives students a great place to study and relax," says Pat Kellen, UTI Glendale Heights campus president.

"This is another example of how the strong relationships UTI has across all the industries it serves enhance our students' experience and training, and provide diverse career opportunities for graduates," he says.

Associated has had a history of hiring UTI graduates as field service technicians. To promote materials handling careers to emerging technicians, Associated offered to create the student lounge, which has nine workstations, computers with internet access, wireless capability for laptop users, a learning centre and flat screen TVs.

"For students, and the academic community, we hope this student lounge will create awareness for an industry in which career opportunities are endless," says Michael B Romano, Associated's CEO.

Established in 1960 in the Chicagoland area, Associated now serves customers from six locations covering six states in the upper midwest of the United States. It employs more than 300 people and represents Raymond narrow-aisle forklifts and related materials handling storage and picking solutions.