Reduce Back Pain for Drivers and Operators

An In-Depth Conversation About Dynamic Sitting and the Power of 50 Years of Practical Experience

“Sitting is the new smoking,” as the saying goes. But what if your job forces you to spend hours in a crane, forklift, or delivery van? For thousands of machine operators and drivers, the seat is their office. Unfortunately, the standard seats installed in many of these machines are often little more than basic cushions. The result: slowly developing back problems and reduced productivity.

With more than fifty years of experience in the seating industry, Trône Seating tackles this problem at its root. They do not believe in a “one-size-fits-all” solution, but in a seat that adapts to the individual. Our founder, Frans-Jozef van Seumeren, draws on instinct and decades of hands-on experience to combat physical complaints in the workplace and shares additional insights.

How Was Trône Seating’s Vision on Ergonomics Formed?

Trône Seating’s vision was shaped by real-world experience and an early confrontation with the harsh reality of work seating. As a young boy, I was already demonstrating at trade fairs how big the difference was between a standard seat and one of ours. On a shock table, everyone remained still and upright on our seat, while on the original seat they were thrown in all directions.

That experience, combined with fifty years in the industry, taught us that you don’t need scientific mass models. You need to build the seat for the individual.

My vision is that we must do everything possible to resolve and prevent complaints. We achieve this by focusing on the user who performs intensive work on the same seat for four to eight hours a day.

What Is the Biggest Misconception About Ergonomic Seating in Industry?

The biggest misconception is that the seats standardly installed on machines are ergonomic. That is often nonsense. They are there because they are cheap.

These standard seats almost always lack the basics: seat depth adjustment, lumbar support, and proper armrests. No real ergonomic measures have been taken. People are expected to work on them for six or seven hours a day. The complaints don’t appear immediately—it takes years before people start looking for a solution.

My statement is: “sitting is inherently unhealthy.” With our seats and techniques, we try to improve this. We aim for different sitting and dynamic sitting. Just as you have an electrically adjustable desk, you should also have an electrically adjustable chair.

What Makes the Trône Chair Different?

Our chairs are designed with the user in mind, which results in the following unique features:

Electrical Adjustment with Memory Function
This is crucial, especially for seats with multiple users—for example, in a tram in Madrid. Each operator or driver can set their perfect, personalized position at the push of a button. This directly helps prevent back problems, because the chair is always used correctly.

Extensive Adjustment Options
The chair is easy to adjust for different users. We offer seven to nine adjustment options for each body part (long or short legs, shoulders, back, neck) to guarantee a perfect, supportive posture.

Modern Design and Construction
While the foundation sometimes draws on proven, solid techniques (such as those already used by Americans in the 1950s), we package them in a modern design. Our models have a contemporary look, unlike the often unchanged models of other suppliers.

How Important Is the User’s Role When Choosing a Chair?

The involvement of the driver or operator is extremely important. A chair is often overlooked. When a new forklift is delivered, the machine’s operation is explained in great detail—but the chair is skipped.

We make the choice and adjustment personal and risk-free:

How Does Technological Innovation Contribute to Practical Usability?

The balance between technology and practical usability is the key to prevention. Technology must serve the user.

The memory function in an electrically adjustable chair is a perfect example. In a work environment with multiple shifts, you don’t want every operator to puzzle over seven or eight levers. They want to get to work quickly and correctly.

Table: Benefits of Electrical Adjustment with Memory

What Trends Does Trône Seating See in the Ergonomics Market?

The market is changing—and that’s good news for operators and drivers.

More Attention to Personnel
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find good staff. As a result, companies take better care of their employees. The focus on occupational health regulations and sustainable employability is a direct consequence.

Focus on Vibration Prevention
Especially in vehicles with solid tires and many bumps (such as forklifts), the amount of vibration to absorb is extreme. The ergonomics of the seat are vital here. Our seats absorb vibrations and shocks that would otherwise travel straight through the spine.

Replacement Demand After Complaints
People often only start searching once they experience complaints, but replacement demand is now increasingly proactive. Companies realize that after three to five years of intensive use, a seat needs replacement or a better solution.

By investing in a luxurious, comfortable, and better chair, companies invest directly in the health of their employees and prevent absenteeism and unnecessary pain. At Trône Seating, the 14-day trial period is the ultimate guarantee that you’re not just buying a chair, but a long-term solution.

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