MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Kickstarter funds will enable entrepreneur Stephen Walden to manufacture a new line of innovative ergonomic shovels that reduce back, wrist and shoulder injuries – with an ergonomic grip that rotates a full 360 degrees. Kickstarter's "all or nothing" format means Walden must raise the remaining $10,000 of his $60,000 goal by October 23rd, or he walks away with nothing.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131017/PH99401-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131017/PH99401-b )
"When industrial design meets ergonomic innovation, people get 'groundbreaking' technology from Bosse Tools," says Walden, founder of the new ergonomic hardware tool company. His company claims to have reinvented one of the oldest tools out there – the shovel. A Bosse Tools ergonomic shovel can be seen and pre-ordered for $65.00 on Kickstarter.com, but only for a limited time.
"We've been blown away by the support on Kickstarter," says Walden, 24. "Two of our 'prize levels' sold out in one week. We are doing everything possible to raise the last $10,000 needed to fund production." Over 300 individuals have made pledges to support this innovative idea so far. "People are intrigued by gardening, landscaping and construction tools that don't leave you sore and exhausted," the Phoenix, Arizona native adds. Walden is willing to put his money where his mouth is: for the top pledge of $10,000.00, Walden will personally deliver the entire line of landscaping and garden tools to a supporter's door and even provide a day of manual labor.
Old-fashioned shovels account for thousands of injuries and countless hours in lost productivity annually. "Ergonomic tools are a bottom line issue in many industries," Walden adds, arguing that ergonomics is the answer to high worker's compensation claims, which surpassed $200 billion in 2011.
Bosse Tools may also help companies with OSHA compliance. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is punishing companies that fail to address ergonomic hazards. Under the Obama administration, the budget for OSHA has increased yearly, as have the number and the size of fines. In 2009, the average fine for a serious violation was $970. It is now over $3,000.
"OSHA has stated that it won't focus as much enforcement efforts on employers making good faith efforts to reduce ergonomic hazards," says Walden. "I truly believe that using Bosse Tools shovels may demonstrate that an employer is conscientiously working to reduce hazards in the workplace."
Reviews of the prototypes have been positive. "People are excited to get these shovels," says Walden. "Folks say they have a hard time going back to traditional tools and I believe it's simply because we redesigned one of the world's oldest devices. Nobody's ever done this before." California farmer Will Terry, an early tester, noted, "whether you're right or left handed it's fully adjustable, allowing you to get the best angle on the shovel to reduce fatigue on your back." Considering how the ergonomic shovel would impact the workplace, Terry added, "It is surprising to think about how little innovation has been made in the hardware tool industry."
Walden's ergonomic shovels—and his company—grew out of an entrepreneurship class at Loyola Marymount University's business incubator. In 2012 and 2013, he and his team won collegiate business model awards at San Diego State, Loyola Marymount, Chapman, and Harvard.
Walden's ergonomic yard tools have also received significant attention from construction and home improvement outlets. Walden may appear on a cable network show that hopes to feature Bosse Tools.
To support Walden, view his Kickstarter campaign here.
Bosse Tools is an ergonomic hardware tool company, revolutionizing traditional hardware tools. Contact Stephen Walden: 602-206-5190 oremail.