ROCK HILL, S.C.—The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and the Material Handling Education Foundation Inc. (MHEFI) have announced that the new Don Frazier material handling technical training program will be officially dedicated on April 30.

Part of the Rock Hill Schools Applied Technology Center, the entry-level program offers the opportunity for high school students to learn by doing in a state-of-the-art, fully equipped, 4,000-square foot warehouse and distribution center that serves as a laboratory setting for the program.

The training program is named for Don Frazier, founder of Fraizer Industrial Co. and is modeled after a similar program at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute near Allentown, Pa. The Fraizer program differs slightly by including high school students.

Several well known companies in the material handling industry have banded together to support the educational initiative.

"Out of respect for Mr. Frazier, and through their own generosity, several member companies of MHIA have offered needed equipment and expertise to the program," says Victoria Wheeler, executive director of MHEFI. “These companies include: Hamilton Caster, Steel King Industries, Unarco Material Handling, NAACO Material Handling Group, Southworth International, Diamond Phoenix, Spanco, Bluff Manufacturing, Catton International, Gorbel, Demag Cranes and Components, R&M Material Handling, Bushman Equipment, Rehrig Pacific, SSI Schaefer Systems International and GNB Industrial–Exide Technologies.”

Wheeler adds that local companies West Marine, Ross Industries, State Farm Insurance, Black & Decker and US Foods helped with startup costs.