The Mule

CHICAGO, (Jan. 8, 2007) – The material handling and assembly industries’ first affordable, electronically-powered hand-lift truck called The Mule™ will demo at ProMat 2007 in Chicago from Jan. 8 through 11.

Developed by Connecticut-based Beyond Products, Inc., The Mule is the only electronically-driven hand lift available in the $1,200 range. Custom-designed, low-profile castors enable The Mule to maneuver in tight areas and fit through 28-inch doorways allowing it to go where forklifts cannot, helping plant managers and other users optimize productivity and floor space.

Hand-lift trucks in The Mule’s price category are usually manual crank or pump driven, and unlike other electronically-powered lift trucks that use custom batteries, The Mule uses an off-the-shelf rechargeable battery with an extended service life. The screw-driven lift eliminates maintenance issues and costs generally associated with chain, cable or gas-powered lifts.

The multi-purpose, compact Mule is designed to transport and lift up to 350 pounds of material while serving as a work positioner and customizable work bench. In addition, it is lightweight and ergonomically designed to reduce potential workplace injuries. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than a million workplace back injuries occur each year due to lifting, placing or carrying materials. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor also reports that back injuries account for one quarter of all workers’ compensation claims and cost the industry billions of dollars.

“The Mule is perfectly suited to meet today’s business challenges of increasing productivity while reducing costs as it is affordable, effective, flexible, and can be used by all employees because it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver,” said Tom Raducha, Beyond Products vice president of sales. “With its customizable work bench platform, workers can efficiently go from transporting materials to assembly without losing valuable time. As Six Sigma has shown us, even small amounts of extra time spent on waiting for material transportation or positioning can translate into many hours of lost productivity.”

Raducha added, “The Mule also helps reduce operational costs by cutting the risk of back injuries and other work-related injuries, helping curb run-away worker’s compensation and disability claims costs. Those seeking new technologies and applications to reduce injuries will find that The Mule positively contributes to their risk management strategies.” The Mule can help a variety of users increase productivity and eliminate workplace injuries. Below is a sample of possible applications. Using The Mule can help:

· Move products through aisles and lift heavy items onto grocery and retail store shelves
· Manage buckets of fasteners, hardware, paint, chemicals in retail, wholesale and manufacturing
· Assist workers with repetitive lifting or heavy payloads
· Push heavy and/or bulky items through narrow aisles
· Help maintenance departments get tool boxes and materials directly to work area and serve as work bench
· Manage bags of loose material (glue, plastic pellets, etc.)
· Empty bins or hampers into hoppers
· Raise rolls of filtering, printing, fabric material in cutting machines as holding blocks included with The Mule™ can be easily configured to accommodate nesting of coils
· Organize items on racking in tool, snack, bakery or other delivery trucks
· Move processed foods into storage
· Lift cutting, injection molding and printing tools into machines during set-up and maintenance

In addition to being affordable, boosting productivity and reducing the risk of workplace injuries, The Mule’s key features include:
· 350-pound (159 kg) lift capacity
· Easily customized for specific applications
· Electronic, screw-driven 48” lift
· Lift speed of 1.5 inches per second or 27 seconds from bottom to top
· Versatile work platform with vice knob, hold down straps and mounting bar
· Adjustable holding blocks fit holes on platform to allow for maximum customization
· Dual 10” disk breaks with locking hand break on both rear wheels for added safety
· Custom-designed, low profile castors allow The Mule to turn and maneuver in tight areas
· Ideal for tight spaces and can fit through 28-inch doorways
· Lightweight at only 85 pounds (39 kg)
· Narrow, fold-up design allows for easy storage
· 12V rechargeable maintenance-free battery lasts for 90 – 110 lift cycles per charge
· U.S. and international patents pending

About Beyond Products:
Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, Beyond Products is the developer of The Mule™, the material handling and assembly industries’ first affordable, electronically-powered, versatile hand lift truck. For more information, please contact us at 866-813-3751 or visit www.beyond-products.com.

Beyond Products, Inc. 167 Cherry St PMB 410 Milford, CT 06460 866-813-3751 203-874-5329 Fax: 203-878-1065 Email: [email protected] www.beyond-products.com