THE NEXT BIG THING?

Back injuries accounted for roughly 6% of all workplace injuries in 2010. Getting mechanical assistance when lifting heavy objects can go a long way toward preventing such injuries. But for many lifting chores, a big forklift is overkill, and there are few lightweight, portable alternatives.That's where Lift'n Buddy, from Ergologistics LLC, comes in. It's small and light enough to be stowed in the back of a delivery truck, but can raise up to 500 pounds from the floor to the height of a counter. (click below to read more)


Aaron Lamb, Ergologistics' founder and president, came up with the idea while working as a sales representative for a food-service company; the job required him to lift heavy coffee urns and other equipment. Lift'n Buddy uses the frame of a common hand truck and adds a battery-powered motor that raises and lowers a platform up to 36 inches.

Ergologistics, a start-up based at the North Dakota State University Technology Incubator in Fargo, introduced Lift'n Buddy in 2011. It says it has sold more than 250 units.