New ArmorSeat Product Launch Sets Stage for BioFit’s Future

Bowling Green, OH, March 1, 2008 – BioFit Engineered Products, an Ohio-based manufacturer and long-standing leader in the development of ergonomic seating solutions, has announced plans to launch a dramatic redesign of its products. Leading the way is the company’s new ArmorSeat line of chairs. Created in the same vein as the classic DuraGrain chairs they are intended to replace, these offerings carry on the same ergonomic tradition as the original, only with greater style, design and durability advantages that give them broader appeal.

“The roots of the DuraGrain chair date back to the 1960s, when the focus was almost exclusive to educational institutions,” reported Ed Metzger, president of BioFit. “Over time, people have changed as have our needs to manufacture seating that works in as many markets as possible.

“Part of that is adapting our products to fit larger body types and part of it is meeting the demand for more attractive looking chairs. In the new ArmorSeat product line, we believe that we’re well on the way to satisfying both aspects of the equation. It’s a strategy we’re looking to apply to all our ergonomic seating products across the board,” Metzger said.

ArmorSeat chairs include fully contoured lines, a waterfall front seat set at an incline of six degrees to resist slipping when seated, and innovative design elements that are not only eye-pleasing but functional in terms of ventilation and movement. In addition, the chairs are made of polypropylene – a material that uses less plastic, oil and other potentially environmentally harmful substances than the injected-molded DuraGrain product. Even better, the chairs feature a “no-wax stipple” finish that ensures greater resistance to dirt and bacteria, making for easier cleaning on the whole.

Metzger stated that the company was proud of the fact that it had been able to develop a new seating line that competes with some of the bigger names on style. In his estimation, ArmorSeat products represent a move to a higher-end design reflective of today’s marketplace.

“BioFit is moving toward manufacturing products that architects can look at when designing everything from lab rooms in schools and assembly areas in industrial shops to clean rooms, patient treatment rooms and beyond,” Metzger forecast. “The ArmorSeat line is truly a multipurpose platform for ergonomically correct seating in all these settings.”

The ArmorSeat line of products will be available in a variety of colors. For more details, log on to www.biofit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

BioFit Proves Ergonomic Seating Can Be a Beautiful Thing for Women Over 40

Bowling Green, OH, November 27, 2007 – Whether it’s the physical toll of carrying young children, the posture problems associated with wearing high heels, or the health risks that come from undiagnosed bone loss, it’s no secret that women put their bodies through a lot of strain as they age. Fortunately, it’s comforting to know that they can at least take it all sitting down … safely. That’s because BioFit Engineered Products, a Bowling Green-based manufacturer and global supplier of ergonomic seating, offers a variety of ergonomically correct chairs that are made to keep up with their changing needs.

In the words of Liz Sworden, director of marketing for BioFit, an investment in proper seating holds many overall wellness and anti-aging benefits, stating that, “Just as women are generally more conscious of the health benefits of exercise, as evidenced by the rise in popularity of Pilates, home training and other body toning methods, they should also know how important it is to take care of themselves when working in a seated position for long periods of time.

“Not doing so can cause the body to hunch forward, creating a curve in the lower back known as kyphosis – the bending of the spine opposite of its natural position. This puts maximum pressure on the spinal discs and muscle groups, heightening the likelihood of injury,” Sworden said.

In an article published on the women’s health website, BellaOnline: The Voice of Women, guest author Marji Hajic revealed the finer points of proper ergonomic chair adjustments and their affects on seating posture. Among her findings, she reported that a chair should have fully adjustable seat height, depth and angle controls, allowing the user to dial in the appropriate balance, comfort and support levels to maintain healthy posture.

She did, however, have a word of caution: “Take note of how you are sitting, and gradually and gently develop the deepening of the joints necessary to sit with your hips and knees at 90 degrees. Developing a relaxed, comfortable body is like peeling the layers of an onion. Take a little off the surface at a time,” Hajic said.

Sworden concluded that while ergonomic seating may not be the sole secret to the fountain of youth, it certainly does play a role in preventing premature fatigue, combating sleep deprivation and may even play a role in reversing restless leg syndrome symptoms caused by poor circulation from sitting incorrectly – all sound reasons to make practicing proper ergonomics a part of any age-defying program.

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs, carts, cafeteria seating and mobile tables for clean room, ESD, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, office, industrial, educational, hospitality, and custom environments.

BioFit Launches New Series of Instructional Videos

Bowling Green, OH, November 6, 2007 – BioFit Engineered Products, a Bowling Green-based manufacturer of global ergonomic seating and table solutions, has launched a new feature on its website – www.biofit.com – that will enable users to view proper furniture use, assembly and disassembly videos by clicking on individual screen prompts. Content is then fed in a direct video stream or by download, featuring easy-to-follow, on-screen demonstrations with audio accompaniment and title graphics.

The videos provide step-by-step instructions on seven topics: adjustable tilt seat and backrest control, chair assembly, chair disassembly, six-way articulating seat and backrest control, free float articulating control, task control, and proper table usage and assembly. According to Liz Sworden, director of marketing for BioFit, making these resources available online was a natural extension of the company’s commitment to customer service.

“These videos were created to give our customers quick bookmark reference to the functional information they need to put their products together, whenever they need it,” Sworden said. “In most cases, questions about assembly or operation can be answered without exchanging e-mails or placing a phone call. It’s a real timesaver for everyone.”

Of course, even with a resource like this one, there are occasions when contact with a real person is preferred. At BioFit, it’s encouraged.

“When we developed these instructional tools, we never intended them to be stand-ins for our representatives; rather, we wanted these videos to be an asset in helping our service department answer questions and inquiries. It’s just one of the many ways we’re here for our customers every day,” Sworden said.

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs, carts, cafeteria seating and mobile tables for healthcare, bio- and high-tech, office, industrial, educational, hospitality, and custom environments.

BioFit Kicks Off Product Line Redesign with Four New Seating Series

Bowling Green, OH, July 6, 2007 – BioFit Engineered Products, an Ohio-based manufacturer and global supplier of ergonomic seating solutions, has introduced four new series of chairs as part of a focused redesign effort to offer customers a more contoured, tailored look, softer feel and improved long-term performance. Manufactured with a sewn seam, these chairs mark a stylistic departure, yet feature the same level of durability common to all BioFit products.

According to Ed Metzger, president of BioFit, incorporating the upgraded design is only part of the story behind the fresh new look and feel of the HL, FC, HC and FL series – the rest lies in the foam.

“Using seams allows us to minimize compression of pre-contoured foam seat and backrest cushioning during the manufacturing process,” Metzger said. “This natural, unencumbered expansion of the foam helps the chairs remain substantially more comfortable over time.”

HL, FC, HC and FL series chairs are suited for a variety of environments, including healthcare, education, industrial and office settings, as well as high-tech workplaces with static control requirements. For more details, click here to view or download the new sewn seams series catalog.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs, carts, cafeteria seating and mobile tables for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

BioFit Awarded Patent for Table Locking System

Bowling Green, OH, June 26, 2007 – BioFit Engineered Products, a worldwide supplier of ergonomic seating solutions and tables, has been awarded a patent from the U.S. Patent Office for its CBT magnetic locking system – a feature that enables two of the company’s AdapTable™ Benches to be connected together to make one full-size cafeteria table. The advantage gives users greater flexibility in how they arrange seating without increasing the labor required for disconnecting the units.

While the CBT magnetic locking system has been available on BioFit AdapTable Benches for the last two years, this recognition is a significant accomplishment. According to BioFit Bowling Green assembly plant manager, John DeVriendt, the patent underscores the difference that makes BioFit AdapTable Benches stand out from the competition.

“No one else offers a bench/table that features anything close to our CBT magnets,” said DeVriendt. “Our AdapTables let people of all strength levels easily connect two units to make one large table; then disconnect them by simply sliding the magnets apart. It’s the perfect multipurpose seating solution for schools, training facilities, common areas and more.”

AdapTable Benches are available in lengths of 6-, 7- and 8-feet, and heights of 27- and 29-inches. And, like all BioFit products, they are backed by a 13-year warranty.

The patent was issued on June 5, 2007; patent #7,226,125. To learn more about BioFit, log on to www.biofit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

For more details on the CBT magnetic locking system from the United States Patents and Trademarks Office, copy http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html into your web browser and search under the key word “BioFit.”

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs, carts, cafeteria seating and mobile tables for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

Bowling Green-Based BioFit
Sheds New Light on Ergonomic Seating

Bowling Green, OH, June 4, 2007 – BioFit Engineered Products, a worldwide supplier of ergonomic seating solutions, has expanded its online presence with educational resources for promoting healthier seating in the workplace. By logging on to www.biofit.com/ergonomics.html, users can learn about the basic elements of ergonomics, explore methods to personalize their own seating and even access links to other informational websites. It’s a portal to discovering everything that applies to the subject.

In the early stages of ergonomic research, anthropometry studies conducted to measure the size and proportions of the human body were based primarily on the physical composition of young males serving in the military. As a result, standards and practices were adopted that no longer represent the diversity of body shapes in today’s workforce. It’s a point that Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a global manufacturer of ergonomic seating and table solutions, refers to as he describes what you should look for in choosing an ergonomic chair.

“Seating must allow for different seat and back sizes, and a range of seat heights, as well as unique forward seat tilt, seat height and backward lean adjustments, while providing the right lumbar support for the task at hand,” Metzger said. “As a leader in the industry, BioFit understands the subtleties of ergonomic seating and how they relate to different work environments, and people of varying stature.

“For example, just as you wouldn’t use a crescent wrench as a hammer, you shouldn’t use a regular office chair in a manufacturing application. That’s because office chairs are made to move as the user moves, allowing freedom of motion, while a chair used in precise hand assembly must remain anchored in place for support and extra leverage.”

This conclusion might make some question whether it might be better to do away with seating altogether and just have employees stand as they work. The trouble with this approach is that it doesn’t take into account the problems that occur from prolonged periods from standing, i.e., fluid pooling in the feet, swelling of the legs and the development of varicose veins; nor does it recognize the advantages of sitting when it’s done properly.

Metzger reports that sitting can improve worker productivity by maximizing effective motions, reducing worker fatigue and increasing worker stability. “You’ll also want to give careful consideration to workspace layout as well: think about the way you set a table – everything should be placed with easy reach and range of motion. That’s the way a workstation should be configured. It’s the best way avoid undue muscle strain from overextending.”

Not doing so can cause employees to hunch forward, creating a curve in the lower back known as kyphosis – the bending of the spine opposite of its natural position. This puts maximum pressure on the spinal discs and associated muscle groups, heightening the likelihood of injury.

In an article published on spineuniverse.com, Professor Alan Hedge, Ph.D., Director of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory at Cornell University, described the guidelines for ergonomic seating. “What we want is to be able to sit and maintain the lumbar spine in a position called, ‘lordosis.’ If we sit on a good ergonomic chair, the seat pan is curved from back to front to encourage the pelvis to rotate forward, and this helps the lumbar spine to maintain lordosis.”

Another important consideration is calculating the proper seat height. Typically, this can be done by measuring where the work is to be performed, then positioning the seat 12” below that level.

Even with all these precautions, Metzger cautions there is no single correct position for continual sitting. “The best thing you can do in alleviating problems is to change your posture on a regular basis when sitting. That includes adjusting the chair itself frequently – an important consideration when accommodating the distinct body shapes of different users.”

Chairs of this kind may cost marginally more upfront, but Metzger sees the investment in terms of what he calls “value ergonomics.”

“BioFit chairs are backed by an industry-best 13-year warranty. That means you get the value that comes from better posture and greater durability in one product,” Metzger explained. “It’s what the basic elements of ergonomic seating are all about.”

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic seating, cafeteria and mobile tables, and carts for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

The Science of Ergonomic Laboratory Seating

Bowling Green, OH, May 21, 2007 – In laboratory environments, it’s not uncommon for people to spend greatly extended periods of time working in seated positions. Unfortunately, neither is developing the bad seating habits which can lead to serious injuries. The key to preventing them is employing ergonomic principles in workspace design, seating posture and chair selection.

According to Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a global manufacturer of ergonomic seating solutions, the first step in avoiding ergonomic problems caused by risk factors like repetition, force, temperature extremes and vibration is to work within an optimum comfort zone. To illustrate this point, Metzger explained his basic “dinner table” rules.

“Think about the way you set a table – everything should be placed within easy reach and range of motion. That’s the way a workstation should be configured,” Metzger said. “It’s the best way to avoid undue muscle strain and premature fatigue from overextending.”

The next thing to consider is posture. In an article published on spineuniverse.com, Professor Alan Hedge, Ph.D., Director of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory at Cornell University, referenced studies which found that the lower back problems of sedentary workers were associated with inappropriate sitting posture and poor chair design.

“As we hunch forwards, the lower back curves outwards into ‘kyphosis’ [bending the spine opposite of its natural position],” Hedge reported. “What we want is to be able to sit and maintain the lumbar spine in a position called, ‘lordosis.’ If we sit on a good ergonomic chair, the seat pan is curved from back to front to encourage the pelvis to rotate forward, and this helps the lumbar spine to maintain lordosis.”

Elaborating on this point, Metzger added, “Kyphosis is a very common condition for microscope users. As they bend forward to look at a slide, they put maximum pressure on the spinal discs without even knowing it. BioFit chairs are fully adjustable, providing for full lumbar support and forward lean to counterbalance the tendency to slouch into poor posture.”

BioFit ergonomic chairs represent what Metzger calls, “value ergonomics,” a concept that translates into better long-term value and adaptability for different uses. “With a BioFit chair, you get a product that’s backed by an industry-best 13-year warranty, so you’re assured of good ergonomics for a long time,” Metzger explained. “And that’s a great combination to find, particularly when you know what to look for.”

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic seating, cafeteria and mobile tables, and carts for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

The Qualities of Ergonomic Clean Room Seating

Bowling Green, OH, May 21, 2007– There is nothing simple about working in clean rooms. Precautions need to be taken on every front to maintain highly controlled conditions – shift after shift and day after day. In these environments, typical rules of cleanliness no longer apply, and neither do normal expectations for chairs and stools, particularly as they relate to the health of the people who use them.

In the words of Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a global manufacturer of ergonomic seating solutions, the first things to look at are the layout of clean room work space, the tasks to be performed and how the chair will be expected to function in that context.

“Of the five key risk factors in ergonomic injuries, it’s important to remember that the chair offers control over posture only. Excessive repetitive movements, use of manual force, exposure to extremes in temperature and contact with vibration all have unique consequences. Yet, an ergonomically correct chair can put users in healthier working positions.”

In an article published on spineuniverse.com, Cornel University Professor Alan Hedge, Ph.D., described that the ideal posture for sitting supports a fetal-like, S-shaped curvature in the lumbar region of the spine, minimizing the pressure placed on spinal discs. This posture is known as “lordosis,” and it stands in stark contrast to the spinal flattening and cartilage pressure build-up that can occur from sitting in a 90-degree position.

“We’ve seen clean room workers suffer even more severe effects from a condition known as ‘kyphosis,’ or the bending of the spine in the opposite direction of its natural position,” Metzger explained. “Usually, this happens when an employee leans forward in their chair as they perform delicate, manipulative hand movements in product assembly.”

While there is no single correct posture for continual sitting, changing posture frequently in a fully adjustable ergonomic chair remains the most important factor in alleviating sitting problems.

“BioFit chairs are scientifically designed and independently tested to meet the most demanding standards for clean room use,” Metzger said. “Plus, they come with an industry-best 13-year warranty. Seating shouldn’t be disposable and neither should your investment in it.”

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic seating, cafeteria and mobile tables, and carts for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

The Mechanics of Industrial Ergonomic Seating

Bowling Green, OH, May 21, 2007 – The modern industrial workplace puts great demands on equipment, but it’s just as tough, if not tougher, on people. It’s a situation that is perhaps best illustrated in terms of ergonomics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, half of all workers’ compensation costs are the product of ergonomic-related disorders. In many cases, the cause of injury to employees is no mystery. They may have been sitting on the problem all along.

That’s why Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a global manufacturer of ergonomic seating solutions, believes that it has become increasingly important to not only work harder, but smarter as well. From an ergonomic perspective, this requires a complete evaluation of the workstation layout and the task at hand so that chairs adjust to the movements of employees rather than the other way around.

“There are passive and there are active ergonomic chairs, and they’re not interchangeable,” Metzger said. “Passive chairs move as the user moves, which is fine in office environments but not in many industrial ones. Active chairs feature control levers that provide for full independent adjustment of the seat, backrest and arm rests, plus locking functions that anchor everything in place as needed. This is particularly important for jobs that require additional support for repetitive motion activities.”

While every industrial workplace is unique, most share the same ergonomic injury risk factors in common. In addition to repetition, damage can occur in jobs that involve high levels of manual force, exposure to heat and cold extremes, and contact with intermittent or continual vibration. Posture can play an important part in mitigating the effects, but Metzger cautions that there is no single correct position for continual sitting.

“The best thing you can do in alleviating problems is to change your posture on a regular basis when sitting,” Metzger said. “That includes adjusting the chair itself frequently. This is also important to accommodate the distinct body shapes of different users.”

Chairs of this kind may cost marginally more upfront, but Metzger sees the investment in terms of what he calls “value ergonomics.”

“With a BioFit chair, you get a product that’s backed by an industry-best 13-year warranty, so you’re assured of good ergonomics for a long time,” Metzger explained. “And that’s a great combination to find, particularly when you know what to look for.”

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic seating, cafeteria and mobile tables, and carts for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

The Business of Ergonomic Office Seating

Bowling Green, OH, April 12, 2007 – In business, having to wear a lot of different hats is hardly uncommon. The more things you’re able to do, the more value you’re able to bring to the table. However, when it comes to office seating, it’s not realistic to think just any chair will do the job. In office settings where employees spend the majority of their time sitting, ergonomics takes on a much more prominent role.

Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a global manufacturer of ergonomic seating solutions, sees ergonomics as a key to productivity and to avoiding injury as well.

“Few realize the stress that extended periods of sitting can put on the body,” Metzger said. “Without proper posture and weight support, muscles can atrophy and/or become strained to the point where victims can suffer long-term damage as a result.”

The Department of Labor concurs with this assessment, reporting that 60% of all occupational illnesses are due to repetitive motion disorders, particularly those resulting from sitting-intensive tasks. Even more telling is the fact that back problems are now the leading cause of disability for workers under the age of 45.

Ergonomic seating can go a long way to remedying this situation, but knowing the difference between true “ergonomic” seating and products merely labeled as such can be another story altogether. Fortunately, there are resources that can help.

HealthyComputing.com reports that mobile ergonomic chairs should come equipped with at least a five-pedestal base with casters that glide freely, fully adjustable and cushioned armrests, a seat that allows for even weight distribution and simple height adjustment, sufficient lumbar support, and a backrest that reclines more than 90 degrees.

Metzger concedes that chairs which meet these stringent characteristics will cost marginally more than those that don’t, but he reasons that is a small price to pay for the large difference in quality.

“When you try to save a few pennies on some bargain, off-the-shelf chair, you’re really doing yourself and your employees a disservice,” Metzger said. “BioFit chairs are backed by an industry best 13-year warranty, so you’re sure to get your money’s worth.”

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs, carts, cafeteria seating and mobile tables for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

The Anatomy of Ergonomic Healthcare Seating

Bowling Green, OH, April 12, 2007 – Long shifts and little free time are nothing new to people who work in healthcare environments, but there is at least one factor that doesn’t have to come with the job: the risk of repetitive motion injuries often associated with sitting in chairs that don’t adequately support good posture.

According to Spine-health.com, applying ergonomic principals in the selection of a task chair is one of the most effective ways to prevent work-related back pain and injury, while supporting overall wellness.

This is one of the facts that Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a global manufacturer of ergonomic seating solutions, points to when explaining why ergonomics should always be a foremost consideration for healthcare organizations.

“Working ten hours in a row or more can take a real physical toll that only gets worse without proper back support,” Metzger said. “Yet, even if there is no injury, the effects can be felt in other ways, such as premature fatigue and lapses in concentration – factors that no medical institution can afford, particularly in light of liability issues.”

This scenario offers cause for real concern, but the solution all comes down to knowing what to look for in an ergonomic chair before you buy. While there may be stylistic differences between different manufacturers, there are some characteristics that authentic ergonomic products share in common.

HealthyComputing.com reports that mobile ergonomic chairs should come equipped with at least a five-pedestal base with casters that glide freely, fully adjustable and cushioned armrests, a seat that allows for even weight distribution and simple height adjustment, sufficient lumbar support, and a backrest that reclines more than 90 degrees.

There might be a marginal difference in cost for chairs that meet these requirements, but Metzger contends that the benefits are well worth it.

“There is no substitute for a durable, ergonomically correct chair,” Metzger said. “At BioFit, our products meet or exceed industry quality standards, plus they’re backed by an industry-best 13-year warranty.”

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs, carts, cafeteria seating and mobile tables for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

The Engineering Behind Ergonomic
Static Control Seating

Bowling Green, OH, April 12, 2007 – In static control environments, ergonomic seating may not be one of the first things that comes to mind. Yet, it remains a critical factor in the well-being of front line employees. Research has shown that poor posture and inferior back support can lead to significant repetitive motion disorders. So, it’s important to invest in furniture which both resists the build-up of potentially debilitating muscle damage and electrostatic charges at the same time.

Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a global manufacturer of ergonomic seating solutions, maintains that the wrong chair in the wrong place at the wrong time can compromise safety a lot more easily than you might think.

“I’ve seen many cases where people have done a great deal of harm to themselves by adapting their bodies and work habits to inferior seating,” Metzger said. “This factor has played a large role in the emergence of lower back pain as second only to the common cold as a reason for missed work.”

It’s a view supported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics which reports that nearly half of all workers’ compensation costs represent ergonomic-related disorders. Even more telling is the fact that back problems are now the leading cause of disability for workers under the age of 45.

While the argument in favor of ergonomic seating is firmly grounded, the ability to differentiate between a true “ergonomic” product and one that’s just labeled as such is less conclusive. Yet, there are a few basics that make buying the right chair easier.

HealthyComputing.com guidelines state that mobile ergonomic chairs should come equipped with at least a five-pedestal base with casters that glide freely, fully adjustable and cushioned armrests, a seat that allows for even weight distribution and simple height adjustment, sufficient lumbar support, and a backrest that reclines more than 90 degrees.

For the most part, chairs that meet these criteria cost marginally more than ones that don’t, but Metzger sees the extra expense as money well spent.

“A drag chain isn’t the only thing you should look for,” Metzger stressed. “Quality static control seating products should be made to last, and to continue dissipating charges throughout their usage lifetimes. BioFit chairs do both and they do it with an industry-best 13 year warranty.”

To learn more, log on to www.BioFit.com or call 1-800-597-0246.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs, carts, cafeteria seating and mobile tables for office, industrial, educational, healthcare, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.

New BioFit President Ed Metzger Predicts Bright Future

Bowling Green, OH, January 1, 2007 – BioFit Engineered Products, a northwest Ohio-based manufacturer and worldwide supplier of ergonomic seating and table solutions, has announced the promotion of Ed Metzger from executive vice president to president. Metzger will be taking over the reins from Dale Barnard, a 35-year veteran of the industry who has been instrumental in the evolution of the business leading up to and since its founding in 1993.

“Ed has the background, desire and knowledge to improve us,” Barnard said. “He’s earned the highest level of respect from both employees and ownership. I’m completely confident in him.”

With experience that predates the early origins of the company, Metzger has spent the better part of two decades learning the trade. As a result, he has gained unique perspectives on what has distinguished the company in the past, while developing strategies for its success in the future.

“The family-feel of our business is something you’ll find everywhere from the shop floor to our administrative offices,” Metzger said. “Everyone here knows each other by name. They care. And, with more than 100 employees, that’s special.

“You could say our greatest strength is our people,” Metzger continued. “So, we’ve developed incentive programs designed to encourage them to take a personal interest in our company. When we do well, they do well – as do all our stakeholders.”

Metzger pointed out that the importance of “family” is something that extends to BioFit’s commitment to give back to the community. He noted that BioFit routinely donates chairs to fundraisers, supports local sports, and even helps distribute food to underserved residents.

Yet, this kind of goodwill is only possible when there are strategies in place to sustain and build revenue. On this matter, Metzger describes plans to improve operationally to reduce costs, while investing in research and development to compete on the style front.

“The key is designing products that we can manufacture here,” Metzger said. “That way we can build products that hold greater appeal for emerging markets and maintain quality control at the same time. In doing so, we hope to generate sustainable growth at around 10% a year.”

It’s a goal that seems well within Metzger’s reach, particularly when you listen to what his predecessor has to say on the subject. “Even though I will remain on the management board of BioFit, I can tell you I won’t be looking over his shoulder,” said Dale Barnard. “Our goal is to return the business to the cutting edge of the industry and Ed’s the guy to do it.”

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic seating, cafeteria and mobile tables, and carts for office, industrial, educational, health care, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.