Solar pod developer joins distributor 8A Burnsville wrangles with sign ordinance 8A Jazz festival scaled back to one day 9A
JESSICA HARPER JOHN GESSNER TAD JOHNSON
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE 14, ##, 2011 2009 JULY
VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 32, NUMBER 20
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Gov. Mark Dayton says in an editorial that the current budget battle is a pivotal moment for Minnesota. MARK 4A DAYTON
by Jessica Harper DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Innovation at work Ergotron is not the first to develop a sitstand desk. See Ergotron, Page 28A
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INSIDE BIZ
Eagan company stands up for healthier workplaces One quick look around Eagan-based Ergotron reveals workers literally standing behind its latest product, which they say will greatly improve employee health. The company, which designs, manufactures and distributes workstations for clinics, hospitals and offices, recently released the WorkFit, a computer stand that enables workers to sit or stand at their desks. “If you use the product, we’re convinced you’ll see the benefits yourself,� said Pete Segar, president of Ergotron branded products. The greatest benefit, he said, is that the stand helps prevent what he calls “sitting disease.� We sit an average of 7.7 hours a day, he said, when you add up time in the car, behind a desk and in front of the television. A study by the American Cancer Society found that women who were inactive and sat for more than six hours a day were more than 94 percent more likely to die during the study than those where who physically active and sat for only three hours. The study found inactive men were 48 percent more likely to die than their standing counterparts. By standing at work, employees are not only improving their health, but also productivity, Segar said. Several studies have shown that standing can increase productivity by 12 to 18 percent. This health issue was what inspired the company — which historically made stands for hospitals and clinics — to branch out two to three years ago into corporate offices. “We missed the top problem,� Segar said. In May the company launched the WorkFit, which is available on amazon.com under the Omintech brand.
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Constant attacks to tax the rich will discourage Minnesotans from innovating the million-dollar idea. PHIL 4A KRINKIE CAPITOL COMMERCE
Photo by Jessica Harper
Most of Ergotron’s corporate employees, like Jeff Mensing, senior design engineer, use the company’s latest WorkFit, a computer stand that enables employees to sit or stand at their desks.
AMY KOCH
STATE SHUTDOWN
STEVE MIELKE
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Bio
Ergotron Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes workstations for clinics, hospitals and offices. Its global headquarters is at 1181 Trapp Road in Eagan. Annual revenue: $191 million Employees: 177 - headquarters, 1,800 - warehouse and manufacturing facilities in United States, China and Holland. Website: www.ergotron.com
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Republicans blast governor for tax proposal to balance the state’s budget; Dayton counters that they won’t compromise. 6A
Area cities and school districts size up what the state government shutdown will mean for their operations. 7A
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