Naumann/Hobbs Named 2012 'Healthiest Employer' Finalist

Phoenix, AZ, March 14, 2012 – Naumann/Hobbs Material Handling, one of the largest material handling companies in the Southwest, has been named a finalist in the Phoenix Business Journal's 2012 Healthiest Employer award program. The company's CEO, Bryan Armstrong, also has been named to the discussion panel for the program's Awards Breakfast on March 15, 2012, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

The Healthiest Employer awards are designed to shine a light on Valley businesses with the most outstanding health and wellness programs.

"We are very proud of this recognition. It reflects our commitment to the health of our Associates as well as our dedication to assuring that our customers are well-served," Armstrong said. "Our workplace wellness program is just one part of the comprehensive health plan strategy we implemented."

"We believe this is a step-by-step process that moves from knowledge to engagement to empowerment for our Associates," Armstrong added. "We already have seen significant results including reductions in health risks, increases in Associates obtaining medical exams and heightened attitudes toward individual health improvement. Those results translate into positives for all of us, because a healthier work team is more productive and better able to meet the needs of our customers. It is one more reason we call ourselves 'The Performance People'."

Nominees for the award are assessed in a number of categories, with scoring and benchmarking created by academic, medical, wellness and business professionals.

Results that Make a Difference

"We have many health success stories of individual employees," Armstrong said. "One example is the Associate who wasn't aware of his high blood sugar until he completed our biometric screening. He then went to his doctor, began taking medication, has lost 60 pounds and is determined to improve his health to the point where he no longer needs diabetic medication. Other Associates are controlling their cholesterol and high blood pressure now that they know of their own health risks. And there is the wife of an Associate who has joined her husband in a smoking cessation program after 35 years of smoking."

Just as important as these individual stories are the actual measurements of success through the annual biometric screenings at Naumann/Hobbs. Comparing the company's first year with its second year results in the program, there have been many significant improvements, including:

Attitudes: 23% increase in Associates planning to take action to improve their health

Actions: 54% increase in Associates who had cholesterol tests

Biometric Results: 45% reduction in Associates with high cholesterol, a leading indicator of heart disease risk.

Comprehensive Health Plan Strategy

In July 2010, Naumann/Hobbs implemented its "best practices" consumer-driven health plan, which includes an integrated benefits platform with health screening and health improvement programs, richer benefits for preventive medical and pharmacy expenses and a pre-funded health care account for Associates who complete the biometric screening and health risk assessment.

"Our incentives have helped us achieve over a 95 percent participation rate in our health screenings," Armstrong said. "We've been able to maintain or improve benefits each year, and for three years in a row now there has been no increase in our Associates' contributions to the health plan."

For 2012, the company is increasing its health care account deposits for non-tobacco users, adding an on-site health coach and a comprehensive weight loss program, and providing Associates tools to obtain cost comparisons among medical providers.

"We are building from engagement to empowerment of our Associates," Armstrong added. "Our Associates make wellness work at Naumann/Hobbs."

About Naumann/Hobbs

We are "The Performance People". For more than 60 years, Naumann/Hobbs Material Handling has been the Southwest's oldest and largest provider of material handling equipment, service, rentals, and parts for an extensive line of material handling products. With locations in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico, we supply everything from forklifts, pallet racks, conveyors and more. We are committed to "Keeping Our Customers Satisfied" with every sale, rental, service or support of their material handling needs.