THUNDER BAY — Innovative tile and stone-lifting equipment developed and manufactured in Thunder Bay is getting the attention of customers across Canada and overseas.
Lynac Tile Equipment's new product line, aimed at minimizing wear and tear on the human body, was demonstrated on Wednesday at a local tool-rental business.
It includes six devices which the company says are designed not only to save time on the job "but also to save your back."
The suction gripping gear was developed over a period of three years with the assistance of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre and the Technology, Education and Collaboration Hub at Confederation College.
Company owner Conor Lyon said "with the size and weight of some of the current industrial tile being used, it's often a lengthy multiple-person job."
He said the specialized tools reduce the risk that workers will suffer injuries during installation procedures.
According to Lyon, the idea originated with a partner who owns a local granite counter-top business, and saw the need for suction equipment to lift and install large pieces.
Lynac started manufacturing the new line about three months ago.
The company expects to attract a diverse group of users, from landscapers to do-it-yourselfers at the local level to large construction companies and tile contractors.
"Think about airports and malls, where they're lugging large tiles all day, massive square feet, massive quantities. That's kind of our worldwide market," Lyon said.
He said his products are a step up from the "little, hand-held mechanical" tools available in the market.
"The tile industry has changed over the last few years. They're getting into much larger, much heavier tile, so contractors and installers are kind of scrambling to handle them. There's nothing like our products on the market at the moment."
Lynac received funding assistance from both the federal and Ontario governments.
Parts for the equipment are machined at the college TEC Hub, where assembly is also completed.
Lyon, who's just returned from a marketing trip through western Canada, said there's been a great response to the new line so far, including from overseas.
He's also sent tool samples to California where a large tile company is currently testing them.
"So far, so good. The main thing for us is that we are locally manufactured, locally designed, and we're trying to build on that," Lyon said..
