Auburn’s David Judge and his partners have cofounded a small company that thinks big.
Fife-based Ratchet Solutions Inc. has developed a successful cutting-edge, ratcheting screwdriver that sells extremely well in many markets.
The double-drive technology makes the Velocity Driver faster than standard ratcheting screwdrivers, allowing a continuous forward or reverse turn, regardless of the way the handle is turned.
“It makes traditional ratcheting screwdrivers obsolete,” Judge said.
The Velocity Driver, sold as the Kobalt “Double Drive,” have become a popular tool among consumers. Lowe’s Home Improvement purchased 800,000 units that sold out in eight weeks around the holidays, Judge said.
Other major retailers have put in orders.
Ratchet Solution is aggressively developing innovative products for a wide clientele.
“We have also used the same technology in a medical screwdriver, which doubles a surgeon’s efficiency when driving medical screws,” said Judge, the company’s director of marketing.
Judge says the medical screwdriver allows surgeons to perform smoother, more precise operations when dealing with spinal fusions and orthopedic operations.
BPI Medical’s technicians in Fife are developing the medical screwdriver, with hopes it will soon become available in local surgical units.
Judge has been a major part of an innovative product development firm that has brought the Velocity Driver to the worldwide market.
“It’s been an odyssey,” said Judge, who lives in Lakeland Hills and works actively in the community. “It’s great to be part of a small, local company with great ideas and solutions, and succeeding in a tough economy.”
Judge, who has spent 20 years working in sales, is excited about what the future might bring for his company.
“This has been my focus and passion for the last two years,” he said.
The company welcomes ideas from inventors looking for assistance in developing and marketing inventions.
Judge, Bob Overmars (CEO), Dave Rau (director of sales) and Robert Lloyd (director of operations) comprise the company.
To learn more, visit www.ratchetsolutions.com.
