Few delight in broadcasting they have the most chaotic and cramped garage, but when it comes with a $10,000 garage makeover it is a different story. Of the almost one thousand official entries, a Macon, Georgia man has been named the Grand Prize winner of the first Gladiator® GarageWorks Chaotic & Cramped Garage Makeover Contest.

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The search for the most chaotic and cramped garage began this summer following a Gladiator® GarageWorks study that showed that 40 percent of garage owners refer to their garages as a storage unit or junkyard. Sixty percent often choose to leave their vehicles exposed to the elements. Dan Leslie stands as a prime example of a homeowner with homeless vehicles. For his supreme garage disorganization, the grand prize winner and Macon, Georgia resident will receive a garage makeover valued at $10,000.

"My garage is really embarrassing, though we've done the best we could to keep it up. My wife almost did a black flip when she heard I won," said grand prize winner, Dan Leslie. "It's a great feeling to be able to reclaim and organize my garage with help from Gladiator® GarageWorks."

Garage organization has become a $1 billion industry, and based on the entries received, it's easy to figure out why this is the case. Many garage owners who submitted entries said they allowed items to accumulate and take over the garage and are desperate to get the space back and be able to gain access to the items they need.

"This contest confirmed our research. Homeowners want to do better, but just don't know where to begin," said Lou Ann Schafer, senior marketing manager for Gladiator® GarageWorks. "To address this mess, Gladiator offers homeowners the tools and tricks to reclaim the valuable space in their garages."

In addition to Leslie, the contest's five first prize winners will receive the versatile Fold-Away Work Station and a two pack of GearTrack® channels to start their way on the road to garage organization. Those winners are:

      -- Ron Pittman from Fairview, Texas
      -- Denise Keltos from Hauppauge, New York
      -- Mallory DeMayo-Randell from Bay Shore, New York
      -- Sandra Frey from Warner Robins, Georgia
      -- David Deckwa from Phoenix, Arizona

In addition to the Fold-Away Work Station, Gladiator brand manufactures a wide variety of products that can turn even the most chaotic and cramped garages into the most organized and popular rooms in the home. Its rugged line of products comes in a premier pre-assembled series, as well as a ready to assemble line. It is the only garage organization line to offer appliances built specifically for the garage.

Gladiator® GarageWorks products are available at Sears, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, True Value and other retailers nationwide. For more information visit: www.gladiatorgw.com.

About Gladiator® GarageWorks

Components in the versatile Gladiator® GarageWorks family of products include the Jumbo Cabinet, Modular GearBox, Modular Gear Drawer, the Tall GearBox, Tall GearBox Locker, Trash Compactor, GearTrack® Channels, GearWall® Panels, Chillerator® Refrigerator, Freezerator® Convertible Refrigerator Freezer, Roll Flooring, Tile Flooring, GearTrack®Pack and a variety of hooks and baskets.

These ultimate garage organization products including the new Jumbo Cabinet will be available either through your local garage dealer, Sears, Lowe's or via www.gladiatorgw.com.

FCMN Contact: angela_m_hersil@whirlpool.com

SOURCE: Whirlpool