Contact us
Händlerkontakt

TOPRO Step stair climber installed in retirement home – how students created their own workplace [Nordvestnytt trade journal March 16, 2017]

(This is a translation based on an article by Ivar Torset, originally published in Nordvestnytt on 16 March 2017). Last Wednesday, the stair climbing device TOPRO Step was installed in the Aure nursing home. An aid for overcoming stairs.

Contents

coincidence

Who doesn’t think about inventing something or starting their own company. Most people just leave it at the thought. However, if one has the motivation and perseverance, these dreams can become reality.

The three students Halvor Wold, Ingrid Lonar, and Eirik Medbø studied engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

“It was an absolute coincidence, as we did not know each other before. We came across a report on how many people die from falling down stairs. All three of us had grandparents who had difficulties on stairs. To cut a long story short, the conversation about there being 30,000 injuries from stair falls each year led us to think about developing a product to address this problem,” says Halvor Wold, originally from Troms in Northern Norway.

Topro Step Team

Hepro

They agreed to continue working on it and eagerly began developing prototypes to make stair climbing easier. By 2014, the project had progressed to the point where the trio was seeking external investors.

“We have collected enough money to start production, and after some time Hepro included us in their portfolio,” says Wold, explaining that in the process the principle of trial and error was applied.

After about five or six prototypes, we felt that we had a product that had achieved the goal.
The product they developed is called TOPRO Step and is now available throughout Norway. All produced by those who wanted to become engineers.

Easy to use

The stair climbing device TOPRO Step is easy to use and only requires the installation of a rail system along the stairs.

“We have seen that the TOPRO Step stair climbing device is a contribution to enable more people to live at home longer and that the stair climbing device is effective in preventing stair falls. The system is easy to use. One pushes a handle step by step on the way up or down, and the handle locks in place through the braking mechanism. Throughout the stairs, the user has full control and if one loses balance, there is always something to hold on to,” explains Halvor Wold about the product they have developed themselves.

The first in the district

The Aure Nursing Home is the first facility in Møre og Romsdal to have installed this system.

The inauguration of the TOPRO Step stair climbing device took place last Wednesday after the stair climbing device was installed in place.

“The TOPRO Step stair climbing device enables activity while contributing to the maintenance of the individual’s functional level,” explains entrepreneur Halvor Wold on the phone from Trondheim.

Well received

Anyone in Norway who is eligible for such assistance can apply for it through their local NAV Assistive Technology Center or contact an occupational therapist or physiotherapist.

“The stair climbing device is available throughout Norway. It costs about 25,000 kroner, but those who need it get it paid for,” says Wold, who also says that now four people are living off it.”

“We develop and produce, while Hepro takes care of distribution. We recently introduced our product in the Netherlands and Sweden, and we have great confidence in the TOPRO Step stair climber. We were very well received at the Aure nursing home, the first in Møre og Romsdal,” says Wold, who also admits that things have not always been easy since the idea was developed in a student apartment in 2012.”

One can easily lose motivation when things don’t go as planned, but together we persevered and feel as if we are now reaping the rewards of our work. We are very proud of our product and what we have achieved.

Watch our information video about the TOPRO Step.

TOPRO Step Informationvideo

Why choose TOPRO Step?

Installation in 3 steps

To carry out an on-site inspection and receive a quote, make an appointment with us. Once you have accepted the quote, we will carry out the installation, which usually only takes a few hours.

TÜV tested and certified

TOPRO Step is TÜV-tested and certified and meets all functional and safety requirements.

Adaptable to your staircase

TOPRO Step is designed so that it can be easily adapted to your staircase. It can be installed on straight stairs, curved stairs and stairs with a landing.

Check for insurance coverage or help

Ask your health insurance company about the possibility of cost coverage or possible subsidies. Please note that these options are country-specific and individual.

Up to 5 years warranty

TOPRO Step means TOPRO quality. When you buy a TOPRO Step, you receive a guarantee of up to 5 years.

Over 2,000 satisfied users

We measure success by satisfied customers, which is our top priority. We already have over 4,000 satisfied users throughout Europe.

Choose your TOPRO Step

Configure your TOPRO Step - in just a few steps!

Do you have any questions?

Talk to us

Would you like a free and personal consultation? Get in touch with our TOPRO Step experts and book a free, no-obligation appointment directly at your home.

Request a callback

We are happy to advise you

TOPRO Step Expert
+47 902 931 00
Monday - Friday
08:00 – 16:00 o'clock.

We are happy to advise you

TOPRO Step Expert
+47 902 931 00
Monday - Friday
08:00 – 16:00 o'clock.

Request a callback

Do you have any questions or would you like to test the TOPRO Step stair climber?

Get in touch with us

We have compiled all frequently asked questions on the FAQ page

Read the FAQs

Would you like to find out more about the financing options for the TOPRO Step?

More about the financing options

TOPRO Step

Other News

Ex-Profisportler Dmitri Tschatschin trainiert mit der Treppensteighilfe

TOPRO Step in rehabilitation: Get back on the stairs faster. Be independent again more quickly.

TOPRO Step in rehabilitation. Neuroscience can now prove that rehabilitation is all the more successful the earlier mobilization is started. Another point that should not be overlooked is the fact that therapy now attempts to allow patients to participate in normal life and everyday activities at an early stage, because we humans are social beings. This is therefore essential for rapid rehabilitation.

read more

Muscle atrophy in old age – what helps?

Our muscles are vital. Because we can only move through our muscles. Muscles are also part of many important processes such as swallowing and breathing. If muscle mass decreases significantly with age, this is referred to as muscle atrophy in old age (also known as sarcopenia).

read more
Treppensteighilfe TOPRO Step - Nutzung treppauf

Climbing stairs safely with the stair grip

Do you need additional support when climbing stairs? Get to know the unique TOPRO Step stair grab bar that offers you safety and support. The TOPRO Step stairgrip consists of a modern and discreet grab rail coupled with a unique, first-class stainless steel handrail system.

Read more

Stairlift – What alternatives are there?

People with reduced mobility who have difficulty climbing stairs due to age or a particular illness, for example, have a wide range of possible solutions and products to choose from. Until now, the stairlift has been one of the most common solutions apart from expensive renovations or a move to a retirement or nursing home. In this article, we will take a closer look at why a stairlift is not always the best solution for you and what you need to consider when buying a stairlift.

Read more

Talk to us

To the top

INFO ABOUT TOPRO STEP

THE COMPANY

FURTHER INFORMATION

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Hold down the cmd (Mac) or ctrl (Windows) key and press +/-

Call us on
+47 902 931 00
or
We will call you back