In support of Davidson and Mooresville, North Carolina, area high school students, MSC Industrial Supply Co. (NYSE: MSM), 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.”

To learn more about Pine Lake Preparatory’s Team SPORK, visit http://teamspork.com.

About FIRST®

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and nearly $16 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

About MSC Industrial Supply Co.

MSC Industrial Supply Co. is one of the largest distributors of Metalworking and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (“MRO”) supplies to industrial customers throughout the United States. MSC employs one of the industry’s largest sales forces and distributes approximately 900,000 industrial products from approximately 3,000 suppliers. In-stock availability is approximately 99%, with next day standard delivery to the contiguous United States on qualifying orders up until 8 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information, visit MSC’s website at http://www.mscdirect.com.