Mack (Arlington, VT) was presented with a Gold award for workplace wellness last week by Vermont's governor, Peter Shumlin, at the state's annual conference hosted by The Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. Mack Molding Health Services Manager Kathy Hall, a registered nurse, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Custom injection molder Mack was recognized for programs it introduced to encourage its employees to take personal responsibility for their health. The programs included:
· Mack Community Garden -- planted and harvested by employees, the 15 gardens were also supported by a local nursery with planting tips and discounted seedlings, and Mack with cedar beds, gardening tools, and easy water access. To further enhance the area, Mack added a volleyball court, a driving range for golfers, picnic tables and barbecue grills;
· Eat Right, Stay Fit - geared to help participants make enduring lifestyle changes, the 12-week program encouraged healthy eating habits that resulted in a combined weight loss of over 400 pounds among 50 employees;
· Promoting Health & Wellness - designed to address employee health care issues, work-related or not, the company's Health & Wellness program includes an on-site physician with weekly office hours. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Brian Timura is an occupational medicine specialist and primary care physician.
Mack's headquarters facility includes a fitness center for employees and families that has squash and racquetball courts, strength and cardio equipment, and on-site aerobic and yoga classes. Mack also employs a full-time health services professional who develops and implements ongoing wellness initiatives. "We encourage employees to take personal responsibility for their health - eat lean, exercise regularly, practice safe work habits - and we try to offer fun, creative programs to support their efforts," says Jeff Somple, president of Mack's Northern Operations.
Kudos alsoto medical device manufacturer Medical Murray (North Barrington, IL), which this week celebrated its 15th anniversary. Formed in 1996, the processor specializes in custom catheter systems and components, and complex disposables and implantables, for the vascular, surgical, and urology markets.
During its first 15 years, Medical Murray moved to larger facilities twice. Its latest move to North Barrington in 2006 was into a 12,000 square foot, two-story building which housed both development and manufacturing activities. In 2008, it added a second facility, with 18,000 square feet, in nearby Lake Zurich, Illinois, dedicated to medical device manufacturing. Employment during the 15 years has grown from 6 to nearly 70 employees, and the company predicts this number is likely to grow in the near future as a result of additional device manufacturing business.
"During these challenging economic times, we have been very fortunate to have a great blend of customers, employees and vendors, all of whom are dedicated to excellence," commented Medical Murray's president Phil Leopold. "We all look forward to serving the medical device development and manufacturing needs of customers, both old and new, for the next 15 years."
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