DALLAS (Business Wire) -- Vought Aircraft Industries has been recognized as a Platinum-level "Start! Fit-Friendly Company" by the American Heart Association's movement for helping employees eat better and move more.
"We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association for being a leader in workplace wellness programs," said Vice President of Human Resources Tom Stubbins. "Vought recognizes the value of providing a health-improving work environment for our employees, an initiative that is critical to our success as a company."
Platinum-level employers:
-- Offer employees physical activity options in the workplace
-- Increase healthy eating options at the worksite
-- Promote a wellness culture in the workplace
-- Implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture
-- Demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness
Vought was one of only 54 companies in the nation that was awarded the Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly award, the highest possible recognition.
Vought earned the award for its LiveWell@Vought companywide wellness program. LiveWell@Vought offers employees annual comprehensive health screenings, access to an on-site fitness center, morning stretching routines before shift, a stress management program, access healthy food options, a walking program, a healthy weight and lifestyle management program, and online health education and condition management.
In addition to Platinum recognition, Vought has also received the American Heart Association's Workplace Fitness Innovation Award for promoting physical activity at its worksites. Also, Vought's North Charleston, S.C., facility earned the Community Fitness Innovation Award for its efforts to promote physical activity at work and in the community.
Vought enlisted the help of Cooper Aerobics Center's consulting division, Cooper Ventures, to develop its wellness program. Vought aims to engage employees, their spouses and children over the age of 18 in leading a more balanced life at work and home. Kevin Meiners, a Cooper Ventures staff person, serves as the company's wellness director. He is located at Vought's headquarters to coordinate the wellness program including seven national staff for the company's different sites.
"Our wellness program kicked off less than a year ago, and we're already seeing tremendous results," said Meiners. "Every quarter we have a different 'challenge' for employees to rally around - from walking to stress management to weight loss. It's all geared toward helping our employees achieve a healthy balance in nutrition, exercise, home life and work. Receiving awards like these from the American Heart Association is affirmation that we're on the right track when it comes to offering a well-rounded program."
Vought launched its industry-leading wellness program last June, aiming to reduce health risk factors for employees and their families by more than 50 percent within the next three years. The program provides Vought employees with the resources to make substantial and permanent lifestyle improvements. It includes a condition management component at every site, where healthcare consultants work directly with employees who are battling chronic illnesses and conditions to provide 24-hour support -- helping them to fully understand and manage their health conditions.
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. is one of the world's largest independent suppliers of aerostructures. Headquartered in Dallas, the company designs and manufactures major airframe structures such as wings, fuselage subassemblies, empennages, nacelles and other components for prime manufactures of aircraft. Vought has annual sales of approximately $1.6 billion and about 6,600 employees in nine U.S. locations.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart diseases and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases, claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006-07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.
Vought Aircraft Industries
Lynne M. Warne, 615-974-6003
warnely@voughtaircraft.com
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