In support of Davidson and Mooresville, North Carolina, area high school students, MSC Industrial Supply Co. recently sponsored Pine Lake Preparatory’s FIRST Team SPORK in the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition. As a team sponsor, MSC, a leading distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operation supplies, helped promote careers in engineering and manufacturing while providing students with the tools necessary to design, build and test components for their team’s robot. The team’s six-week design and build season culminated at the North Carolina Regional competition held March 14-16 at Dorton Arena on the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina. The 25-member team SPORK ranked in the top 30 percent and was recognized with both the Palmetto Regional Industrial Design Award and North Carolina Regional Quality Award.

“We believe in helping to strengthen the communities we serve. As MSC continues to expand its presence in North Carolina that includes contributing to the futures of our young people,” said Doug Jones, executive vice president for MSC Industrial Supply. “The FIRST Robotics competition encourages students of all ages to learn about what a career in manufacturing can provide.”

MSC operates facilities in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina. The company also recently announced the opening of a second headquarters in Davidson. “We are proud of what our students were able to accomplish this season,” said John Moloney, Team SPORK engineering mentor. “It is because of sponsors like MSC that we were able to engage students with real world applications of math, technology and science. The company’s contributions were instrumental in allowing Pine Lake Preparatory students to compete in this year’s FIRST Robotics competition, Ultimate Ascent.”