Ergonomic Relief for Construction Professionals – How Tile Layers Benefit from the LiftSuit

Franz Morick GmbH, Düsseldorf – Tile Laying, Screeding & Floor Preparation

Tile laying is physically demanding work. Long hours spent in forward-leaning or kneeling postures are part of the job, especially during subfloor preparation and detailed tiling work. Over time, these repetitive, ergonomically challenging tasks can lead to chronic lower back pain, muscle fatigue, and long-term musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are among the most common causes of sick leave in the construction sector.

The Franz Morick GmbH, a master crafts company specializing in floor and tile work based in Düsseldorf, is aware of these risks. To support the health of their workforce, the company began exploring wearable ergonomic solutions – and discovered the LiftSuit exoskeleton.

Finding the Right Fit

Michele D’Onofrio, team lead at Franz Morick, came across Auxivo during an online search. A key factor in his decision to move forward was Auxivo’s presence at a local trade show, which allowed him to speak with the Auxivo team and test the exoskeletons at the event, thereby gaining a better understanding of how they work and what they can offer.

This initial experience gave him the confidence to test the LiftSuit, a passive back-support exoskeleton, on-site. Franz Morick GmbH then conducted a pilot test of the LiftSuit with four employees over several weeks. The goal: assess its practicality on a construction site and its impact on physical strain during typical flooring and tiling tasks.

Trial Results from the Construction Site

During the pilot tests, the employees wore the LiftSuit during tasks that involve frequent bending and straining postures – including preparing floors, spreading screed, and laying tiles. The overall feedback was very positive.

“The LiftSuit really impressed me during screeding – I had noticeably less back pain. It also helped enormously when laying tiles.”– Employee, Franz Morick GmbH

According to Michele D’Onofrio, all four workers reported a positive experience, especially in terms of reduced fatigue, improved posture, and less strain at the end of the day. Minor challenges, such as pockets being covered by the exoskeletons, did not significantly affect the workers' overall impression. This outcome led to the purchase of the four LiftSuits, which quickly became a standard part of the work equipment.

“I’m positively surprised. You can clearly feel the relief in the back. The only downside? It could use more or different pockets.”– Employee, Franz Morick GmbH

Why Ergonomic Support Matters – Now More Than Ever

The experience at Franz Morick demonstrates that in physically demanding trades like tile laying, ergonomics is an essential long-term investment in the well-being and availability of skilled workers. Lower back injuries are among the most common work-related disorders in the construction industry. They often develop gradually and silently, with long-term consequences such as downtime, therapy, or early retirement.

At the same time, the construction industry is facing several major challenges:

• A growing shortage of skilled workers

• A decline in the attractiveness of the profession, especially among younger workers

• An aging workforce, where older workers often have to retire earlier due to accumulated physical wear and health issues, resulting in a significant loss of experience

In this context, exoskeletons offer a simple and effective solution. By reducing physical strain, they can enhance the daily work experience, support long-term health, prolong career longevity, and make construction jobs more sustainable and attractive.

Measurable Benefits for Companies

Investing in ergonomics solutions such as the LiftSuit can offer multiple advantages for companies:

·      Improving positioning in the competition for skilled workers

·      Higher employee satisfaction and retention

·      Reduction in early retirements, enabling companies to retain experienced workers for longer

·      Fewer days lost to injuries

A Tool for Everyday Use

“The LiftSuit is a practical, health-promoting tool for tile layers. It really helps reduce back pain on the job.”– Michele D’Onofrio, Franz Morick GmbH

For companies like Franz Morick, the LiftSuit is a step toward modern, human-centered construction work. By investing in the physical sustainability of their teams, they are laying the foundation for longer careers, fewer absences, and a more resilient workforce.

Interested in trying our exoskeletons on your construction site?

Whether you're looking to reduce strain-related absences, improve long-term employee health, or simply make physically demanding tasks more manageable – our exoskeletons offer a practical, easy-to-integrate solution for everyday use in construction environments.

If you’re curious to see what our exoskeletons can do for your team, get in touch with us – we will be happy to support you in creating a healthier, more sustainable way of working on site.