Safety Trailblazers Honored with Inaugural Impact Awards

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NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 10, 2025--

HeroWear, an occupational exosuit provider, announced its inaugural safety achievement awards for companies that have implemented exceptional programs with the Apex 2 exosuit. Established partners Rust-Oleum, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and SA2050 were recognized by HeroWear with achievement awards in three categories: Safety Impact, Operations Impact, and Outstanding Partner.

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HeroWear designs and manufactures exosuits that reduce injury risk, improve quality of life, and boost productivity for workers in physically demanding jobs across the globe.

“Since 2019, we’ve been working with the world’s leading companies to solve one of the most consequential, complex problems: Back injuries and strain,” said HeroWear Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Mark Harris. “All of our partners have committed to making their teams' lives better, and we want to recognize these innovative organizations. These organizations have set themselves apart in their pursuit of safety for people around the world — not just in testing and piloting these devices, but in their dedication to sustained deployments that can really make a difference in workers’ lives.”

HeroWear recognized the following individuals and companies for their outstanding leadership in the rapidly growing field of exoskeleton/exosuit use:

Safety Impact Achievement Award: Cory Mitchnick, Rust-Oleum

Rust-Oleum Director of Distribution, Cory Mitchnick, was awarded the Safety Impact Achievement Award for outstanding leadership in improving the lives of workers in their organization. The company successfully implemented HeroWear Apex 2 exosuits across three distribution centers, equipping hundreds of employees with wearable ergonomic support. This initiative has led to a remarkable safety milestone with one site having zero back-related injuries among permanent employees for over 750 consecutive days, representing more than 280,000 injury-free work hours.

“We have always prioritized the safety and well-being of our teams. Cory’s leadership in the deployment of these exosuits has been monumental for us in reaching even higher safety standards and dramatically reducing injuries in our warehouses,” said Rust-Oleum Vice President of Distribution and Freight, Barry Horner. “Cory has worked on this project methodically since 2022 to ensure Rust-Oleum workers are safe, and he is more than deserving of this recognition for how he has successfully implemented the exosuits.”

Operations Impact Achievement Award: Sean Lacey, Royal Australian Air Force

HeroWear awarded the Operations Impact Achievement Award to RAAF combat support group leader, Wing Commander Sean Lacey. After suffering a back injury early in his own career, Wing Commander Lacey dedicated himself to injury prevention by designing and implementing a program that would ensure access to innovative wearable safety technology across RAAF and the broader Australian Defence Force. Wing Commander Lacey has been the driving force behind the design, implementation, and change management strategy for introducing exosuits across the Air Force. Through his expertise and dedication, this innovation will contribute to the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries among our service men and women, delivering benefits well into the future.

HeroWear Director of Client Services Jennifer Jones said, “Working with Wing Commander Lacey was an inspiring experience, and his leadership was instrumental in ensuring this solution could be deployed to as many service members as possible.”

Outstanding Partner Award: Michael Schaefer, SA2050

Chief Executive Officer of SA2050 — an organization whose mission is to bring groundbreaking technologies to Australia — Michael Schaefer, was awarded the Outstanding Partner Award for his steadfast support in bringing the Apex 2 to the RAAF and supporting the development and kickoff of their training and deployment programs. He has consistently shared HeroWear’s goal of supporting workers and has brought these solutions to customers in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

About HeroWear

HeroWear designs and manufactures exosuits that reduce injury risk, improve quality of life, and boost productivity for workers in physically demanding jobs across the globe. Born in Vanderbilt University labs, HeroWear's customizable exosuits help thousands of workers in industries including logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, food & beverage, retail, and more. Read the data and results from these and other HeroWear customers at https://herowearexo.com/apex2-customer-case-study/

About Rust-Oleum

For more than a century, Rust-Oleum® has been a global leader in manufacturing innovative coatings that empower do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike across categories including small project paints, cleaners, primers, automotive, industrial, high-performance coatings, wood care and abrasives. Its wide breadth of brands and products include such trusted names as Rust- Oleum®, Stops Rust®, Painter’s Touch®, Universal®, EpoxyShield®, Varathane®, Zinsser®, Watco®, MultiSpec®, X-I-M®, The Pink Stuff®, Krud Kutter®, RockSolid®, Ready Seal ®, Wipe New®, Testors®, Seal-Krete®, Mean Green®, Modern Masters®, Moldex®, Whink®, Miracle Sealants®, Roto-Rooter®, Concrobium®, and Gator® Finishing Products. Visit rustoleum.com for more information. Follow Rust-Oleum on LinkedIn, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.

About the Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) mission is to prepare Air power in order to enable the integrated force in competition and conflict. Air Force brings technical, tactical and operational excellence into everything and uses the best combination of people and technology to achieve the RAAF mission. RAAF's purpose is to defend Australia and its national interests in order to advance Australia’s security and prosperity.

About SA2050

SA2050 is an Australian-based organisation dedicated to accelerating the adoption of breakthrough technologies by bridging US innovation with Australian implementation. SA2050 exists to bridge breakthrough technologies with Australian implementation, ensuring innovation translates into real-world solutions. By connecting global innovators with local industries and government, SA2050 helps reduce risks, shorten deployment timelines, and deliver measurable environmental and business impact. Every partnership contributes to Australia’s progress toward a more sustainable and innovative future by 2050.

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CONTACT: Press Contact:

Jamison Crenshaw, Dalton Agency

PR Account Manager

[email protected]

804.316.4971

KEYWORD: AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA AUSTRALIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA TENNESSEE

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PACKAGING RETAIL LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRANSPORT MANUFACTURING OTHER MANUFACTURING

SOURCE: HeroWear

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PUB: 09/10/2025 11:37 AM/DISC: 09/10/2025 11:37 AM

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