LadderMaster climbs rungs toward success – Leveling attachment developed, tested in North Idaho

It may eventually be "hecho en Mexico," but an Idaho invention will most likely continue to use parts made in Post Falls.

By RICK THOMAS
CdA Staff writer

LadderMaster, an automatic leveling attachment for extension ladders, was designed in Boise and developed and tested in the North Idaho area. Tom Lien of Rathdrum is helping with development and marketing. He traveled to Mexico with about four dozen Idaho business representatives as part of a trade mission with Gov. Dirk Kempthorne in October.

"It was an excellent public relations opportunity," said Lien. "Going as part of the governor’s mission lent us a lot of credibility."

Lien met with purchasing agents and engineers of Cuprum, a manufacturer of aluminum ladders that distributes to about 500 stores in Mexico and again that many in the U.S. He also met with buyers in retail stores.

His goal is to make use of their manufacturing capability and distribution networks to market the LadderMaster, which attaches to aluminum and fiberglass extension ladders and automatically extends or retracts legs on each side to compensation for irregular ground surfaces and keep the ladder upright.

Tested and approved for commercial use at 300 pounds and meeting OSHA standards, the unit sells for just under $100, while light-duty manual levelers sell for as little as $49.

"I wouldn’t get up on one of those myself," said Lien, a former banker who is doing the leg work for Viking Manufacturing of Boise, which holds the LadderMaster patent.

Made of extruded aluminum, the device uses plastic balls carried on a stainless steel cable inside a plastic housing to lock the legs in position as soon as weight is placed on them. The LadderMaster can be adjusted for use on ladders of various widths.

The plastic parts are manufactured by Plastic Model Engineering in Post Falls, and Lien believes their production is efficient enough to compete with lower Mexican wages and manufacturing costs.

The metal parts are also made there, but Lien said Cuprum’s interest is based on lowering the overall production cost.

The trip was worthwhile, as numerous e-mails and phone calls had not resulted in any solid contacts.

"The governor’s trade mission was critical to setting up meetings," said Lien. "It was well worth the cost."

Lien believes the applications for LadderMaster extend beyond commercial demand, to use by the military for aircraft repair in less-developed areas and fire fighting.

Only a few hundred units have been built, but Lien said manufacturer’s representatives are being sought to market the product nationwide.

LadderMaster is currently available in Columbia Paint stores and at Coeur d’Alene Power Tool.

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2003/11/12/business/bus01.txt