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Summer Infant's Prodigy Infant Car Seat Recognized as Industry Top Product Wins Prestigious JPMA Award


summer infant

LOUISVILLE, KY--September 24, 2011: Summer Infant, Inc.'s ("Summer Infant" or the "Company") , newly launched Prodigy Infant Car Seat was honored with the prestigious JPMA Innovation Award (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association). Announced at the ABC (All Baby & Child) Kids Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, the Prodigy Infant Car Seat was selected out of more than 120 contenders to earn this recognition.

“Since its inception in 1989, JPMA has sought out the most innovative products in the marketplace”

"Since its inception in 1989, JPMA has sought out the most innovative products in the marketplace," said Amy Chezem from JPMA. "We are pleased to present Summer Infant with this award for their superior technical innovation, years of research, and above and beyond testing; the company is making a big difference in child safety."

"We are thrilled and honored that the JPMA recognized the Prodigy Infant Car Seat as one of the most innovative products on the market," said Jason Macari, President and CEO of Summer Infant. "The award speaks to our dedicated team of employees and experts, who have spent years perfecting the unique technologies found in Prodigy in the hopes of keeping all children safe on the road."

The Prodigy infant car seat and base includes three key innovative features that address proper fit to car, fit to the child, and overall ease of installation, making the product a leader in the category:

  • First it uses the completely unique SmartScreen technology located on the base. This SmartScreen provides clear, step-by-step instructions that guide parents through a simple process to correctly level and tighten the base. It also provides visual confirmation - via a smiling face - when each installation step is completed properly.
  • The second key feature is the easy-to-use belt tightening system that firmly fastens the base to the car. By simplifying the installation process even further, the Prodigy eliminates the guesswork for parents and electronically ensures a proper fit every time. The base also includes a test button parents can press at a recommended 30-day interval, to make sure the seat is still installed correctly.
  • The third key feature of the Prodigy is the SafeGuard 1Adjust harness system. This system allows parents to easily adjust the harness straps with just one hand - to quickly and correctly fit the straps to the child without rethreading. Regardless of a child's growth or seasonal clothing, the harness straps easily retract around baby for a perfect fit every ride.

Held since 1989, the JPMA awards highlight the most innovative products in the juvenile industry. Out of more than one hundred entries, only 10 products receive the coveted award. Entries are evaluated by a committee of media representatives and industry retail buyers, and products are judged on their innovation, marketability, trend-setting potential, appeal, and usefulness.

About Summer Infant, Inc.

Based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the Company is a designer, marketer and distributor of branded durable juvenile health, safety and wellness products (for ages 0-3 years), which are sold principally to large U.S. retailers under the Summer Infant and BornFree brand names. The Company currently sells proprietary products in a number of different categories, including feeding, nursery audio/video monitors, safety gates, durable bath products, bed rails, infant thermometers and related nursery, health and safety products, booster and potty seats, bedding, travel accessories, sleep positioners, SwaddleMeŽ and wearable blankets, nursery furniture, and baby gear including, highchairs, bouncers, bouncers, playards and swings.