After Re-marking, Rethinking and Revolutionizing the Workplace, Atlas Founder Sherman Robbins is Retiring
PRESS RELEASE
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| Media Contacts: | |||||
| James Landsman | |||||
| Atlas Ergonomics | |||||
| (616) 844-6322 ext. 3201 | |||||
| jlandsman@atlasergo.com |
GRAND HAVEN, Mich., October 12, 2012 — Back in 1976, Sherman (Sherm) Robbins was a young product safety manager at Herman Miller, Inc., the office furniture giant. Assigned to a product safety team, he visited a large employer to study the use of the company's pioneering Ergon chairs. The trouble was, the highly adjustable chairs weren't really in use. They were merely being sat on, with their much-acclaimed ergonomic adjustments going largely ignored.
Fast-forward 24 years. Robbins, by then a seasoned furniture developer, met Drew Bossen, an ergonomic consultant. Comparing notes, they realized that—despite decades of innovation and investment in ergonomic workplaces—ergonomic furniture and equipment was still going largely unused.
Together, Robbins and Bossen hit on a simple plan: Re-marking adjustable furniture with easy-to-read numbers, determining ideal settings based on individual physiology, and providing each user with easy-to-use numeric guidance for adjustments. The solution led to Atlas' first US Patent.
And so Atlas Ergonomics was born in 2002. By focusing on improving employers' ROI with existing technology (rather than selling new products), the company has become a national force in reducing and treating worker injuries. Today, the company works with more than 500,000 office employees nationwide.
That's what Robbins is proudest of: the scope of his company's influence. "By focusing on customer needs, especially ROI, we've been able to prevent tens of thousands of worker injuries. The 'secret' to our success has been saving employers money when we help workers save their necks, backs, and wrists."
Atlas president Jim Landsman says, "Office workers everywhere are better off because of Sherm's insight, hard work and ongoing innovations. Sherm will be missed at Atlas and all of us will do our utmost to continue and build on his achievements."
As for Robbins, he says, "It's just time to retire." Besides personal projects he's "put off for too long," he has seven fast-growing grandchildren he wants to spend time with—in safe, healthy settings, of course.
About Atlas Ergonomics, LLC
Atlas Ergonomics, LLC is a leading ergonomic service and technology provider, helping customers reduce the spiraling costs of work-related injuries within industrial, office, commercial transportation, warehouse, public transit, and healthcare environments. Atlas guides clients to financially evaluate and define the appropriate strategy, and offers services that are uniquely simple, measurable, and cost effective. Atlas Ergonomics provides turnkey support through the nation’s largest network of ergonomic service providers or can assist corporate resources with the necessary training and technology. Atlas Ergonomics is located in Grand Haven, Michigan, and additional information can be found at www.atlasergo.com.
