STARKE COUNTY — Everett James, director of engineering, and Michael Sharkozy, project engineer, who make up the Thermo Products Design Engineering Development Team, recently were inducted into the 2014-2015 class of the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The award recognizes individuals, teams and organizations that have proven themselves as innovators in the seven-county area, including Starke, Jasper, Lake, Laporte, Newton, Porter and Pulaski counties.

The team was nominated by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation for their work creating a new ultra-high efficiency, oil-fired furnace that incorporates greater safety by producing fewer emissions. Thermo Products Inc. was established in North Judson more than 60 years ago, and is widely considered to be a leading manufacturer and designer of oil-fired heating equipment.