We celebrated U.S. manufacturing in October, a $2.9 trillion industry employing over 135,000 Middle Tennesseans. After such a strong response, we’re continuing the feature through November to highlight members driving growth and innovation across our region.
Tell us about your business and what others should know about your company.
HeroWear is an occupational exosuit technology company on a mission to improve the quality of life for workers in physically demanding jobs. Born out of Vanderbilt University’s biomechanics lab, HeroWear combines years of research and engineering expertise with a deep understanding of workplace challenges. Their design — the Apex 2 exosuit — reduces injury risk, decreases fatigue, and increases productivity for workers across industries such as logistics, manufacturing, food and beverage, agriculture, consumer packaged goods, and the military.
Since its launch, HeroWear has grown from a research-driven startup into a valued manufacturer based in Nashville. The Apex 2 is one of the most validated exosuits on the market, supported by dozens of academic and industry studies. Independent research shows it can reduce back muscle strain by 20–40% on every lift, improve comfort by 30%, and achieve adoption rates of more than 80% among workers. These results deliver measurable impact, from fewer injuries and higher worker satisfaction to stronger business outcomes, with customers reporting significant productivity gains and returns on investment.
Today, HeroWear technology is reaching users worldwide, from international grocery retailers to the Australian Defence Force. As the company expands globally, it remains committed to supporting the people who perform essential work every day, ensuring they can do so safely, productively, and with less strain on their bodies—while contributing to the Nashville economy as a proud local manufacturer and innovator.
Tell us about the industry in which your company operates.
HeroWear operates in the emerging occupational exoskeleton industry, where biomechanics, robotics, and worker safety converge to transform how labor-intensive jobs are performed. With industries like logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing facing high rates of musculoskeletal injuries and growing labor shortages, the need for innovative solutions is urgent. Back injuries alone are the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing billions annually in healthcare, compensation, and lost productivity.
What is unique about your company that helps you differentiate yourself?
HeroWear stands out by combining world-class research, advanced design, and a user-centric approach to create exosuits that are practical, effective, and widely adopted. Unlike other tech companies focused on robotics or powered exoskeletons, HeroWear has pioneered a lightweight, textile-based solution that emphasizes user comfort. Longitudinal studies are hard to come by in the field, but HeroWear has proven the Apex 2 positively impacted workers over the course of 281k working hours across four distribution centers, reducing back injuries completely when the company historically expected 10.5. Other industry studies show the exosuit decreased worker fatigue by up to 40%, improved comfort by 30%, all while achieving 81% adoption rate among workers proving it works not just in theory, but in real-world applications.
Our origins in Vanderbilt University’s biomechanics lab give us a unique scientific foundation and credibility in measuring real-world impact. Beyond providing innovative products, we partner with organizations through training, education, and ongoing support to ensure lasting success. With thousands of workers already benefiting globally—from warehouse employees in the U.S. to Australian military personnel—HeroWear continues to deliver measurable results: fewer injuries, higher productivity, and stronger ROI. At our core, we are driven by one mission—to improve the quality of life for millions of workers while helping businesses thrive.
Why is the Nashville region a good place for your business?
The Nashville region has been central to HeroWear’s growth, providing the research, talent, and community support needed to transform a Vanderbilt University biomechanics project into a global manufacturing company. With access to world-class research through Vanderbilt, a growing advanced manufacturing and logistics sector, and a collaborative business culture, Nashville has given HeroWear the foundation to innovate, validate and scale the Apex 2 exosuit into one of the most studied wearable technologies on the market.
How does your ensure a safe, efficient, and positive culture for your workforce?
At HeroWear, our culture reflects the same values we design into our products: safety, efficiency, and quality of life. We invest in training, continuous learning, and clear protocols so every team member understands their role and feels equipped to thrive. Safety is a priority both in our own operations, through regular checks and well-organized workflows and in the solutions we deliver.
Efficiency at HeroWear is about working smarter, guided by lean manufacturing principles and cross-functional collaboration to streamline processes and solve problems quickly. Just as importantly, we foster a positive, people-first culture built on transparency, recognition, and open communication. We hire individuals passionate about making a difference and empower them to take ownership of their work.
Who are your primary customers or users?
HeroWear’s customers are organizations in industries where workers face physically demanding, repetitive tasks—such as logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, and the military. Frontline workers in these sectors are at high risk for musculoskeletal injuries, especially back strain.
One international grocery retailer recorded an 8% productivity gain and projected a 13x return over five years. URM, Auto-Wares, Beverage South and other logistics companies have deployed the Apex 2 among their workforces. Our customers also include global partners like the Australian Defence Force — specifically the Royal Australian Air Force — further highlighting the exosuit’s broad application and versatility, deploying it to safeguard service members during physically demanding missions.
What key lesson has your company learned running a manufacturing operation, and what recent achievement or solution best illustrates it?
One of the most important lessons HeroWear has learned is that innovation must be paired with adoption. Advanced technology alone isn’t enough—if workers don’t want to wear it, the impact is lost. Many exoskeletons fail in certain industries because they are too heavy, uncomfortable, or complex, so we prioritized lightweight, textile-based designs that move naturally with the body alongside comprehensive training for improved change management and higher adoption rates.
Comfort and usability became just as critical to our engineering as function, and the success we have seen with the Apex 2 exosuit demonstrates this lesson. Our experiences have reinforced to us that innovation is about more than engineering breakthroughs—it’s about creating solutions people actually want to use. By combining science, design, and worker-centered thinking, HeroWear ensures its technology delivers both safety and measurable business outcomes.
Is your company exploring new technologies, processes, or markets? If so, why are they exploring these opportunities?
HeroWear is actively exploring new technologies, processes, and markets to advance our mission of improving the quality of life for millions of workers. On the technology front, we’re developing advanced textiles, elastic materials, and ergonomic designs to enhance comfort and adoption, while continuing research collaborations to validate and refine product performance.
Operationally, we’re scaling manufacturing through lean principles and selective automation to meet global demand without compromising quality. At the same time, we’re expanding customer support to ensure organizations have the training and resources needed for long-term success. On the market side, we’re moving beyond logistics and manufacturing, including military and defense, healthcare, and other industries.
How is your company involved in or giving back to the community?
HeroWear’s commitment to the community extends well beyond our products. As a Nashville-based company, we support the local economy, collaborate with universities, and contribute to the region’s innovation ecosystem, with roots in Vanderbilt University’s biomechanics lab as proof of how academic research can translate into real-world impact. We also give back through workforce initiatives, helping companies protect employees from injury and fatigue—benefits that strengthen families and communities by improving quality of life both on and off the job. Our engagement reaches from local to global. In Nashville, we are active members of the Chamber of Commerce, contributing to regional growth and collaborating with other businesses.
Is there something you would like people to know that has not been asked?
HeroWear’s mission is built for scale. While the Apex 2 exosuit is already improving the lives of thousands of workers, our vision is to reach millions worldwide. With back pain as the leading cause of disability in over 160 countries and musculoskeletal injuries costing businesses billions annually, the demand for practical solutions is urgent. Unlike powered exoskeletons that are expensive and cumbersome, our lightweight, affordable soft exosuits are easy to use and designed for widespread adoption across industries of all sizes.
The impact extends well beyond injury prevention. By reducing strain and fatigue, our exosuits help workers feel healthier and more energized, improving both quality of life and job satisfaction. For employers, this translates into higher productivity, reduced turnover, and stronger retention of experienced staff. HeroWear remains focused on human-centered innovation, advancing technology that protects workers, supports businesses, and strengthens communities worldwide.