Source: Matt Molz, 785-532-0544, mmolz@amisuccess.com
Web site: http://www.amisuccess.com
News release prepared by: Lea Studer, 785-532-3432, lstuder@amisuccess.com

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

K-STATE'S ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE HELPS TWO ST. GEORGE ENTREPRENEURS DEVELOP NEW PRODUCT THAT'S NOW ON THE MARKET

MANHATTAN -- Two Kansas entrepreneurs have developed a special new smoker and grill, and Kansas State University's Advanced Manufacturing Institute helped make it possible.

The Xtreme Smoker & Grill, created by Delmar and Steve Toburen, St. George, is now on the market -- just in time for the summer barbecue season.

"The Advanced Manufacturing Institute worked with the Toburens to design and build a prototype of their unique smoker," said Matt Molz, the institute's lead engineer on the project. "The smoker was constructed to optimize cooking with uniform heat and automatic temperature monitoring. The distinctive design also allows for both grilling and smoking meats, and either lump charcoal or wood pellets may be used as fuel, options you do not typically see in combination on outdoor cooking equipment."

Molz said the Toburens did a thorough job of testing and enhancing the unit for uniform cooking, ease of cleaning and overall functionality.

"Working with the team at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute was a fantastic experience," said Steve Toburen. "The engineers were extremely helpful in taking our product from prototype to ready for market. In addition, AMI's business development team created a logo, marketing plan and brochure."

More information about the product is available at http://www.xtremesmokers.com

K-State student Trevor Fousek, a junior in mechanical engineering from Leavenworth, assisted with the project through the Advanced Manufacturing Institute's intern program.

"The experience I have gained from the Xtreme Smoker & Grill and other projects at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute has been valuable to my development as an engineer," Fousek said. "I appreciate the hands-on environment the AMI intern program provides and enjoy assisting clients with their projects."

The Advanced Manufacturing Institute is a part of K-State's College of Engineering and a Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation Center of Excellence that provides engineering and business solutions. More information on the institute is available online at http://www.amisuccess.com