Con-way Freight Recognized as an American Heart Association Start! Fit-Friendly Company

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association’s Start! movement for helping employees eat better and improve physical activity.

“Formalized employee wellness programs that engage employees in physical activity to promote better health are important priorities at Con-way Freight. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! movement as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company,” said John G. Labrie, president, Con-way Freight. “We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. This will benefit our employees’ health and produce even more positive results for our company overall.”

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

Among its many initiatives to promote the health and well-being of its employees, Con-way Freight contracted with Wellness Coaches USA in 2004 to design and develop an employee wellness program, which it has customized to its operations nationwide. Since the formal launch the company has seen tremendous success. Specifically, for the period between Sept. 1, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2009, results include:
-- More than 2,400 employees losing approximately 25,000 pounds
-- 83 percent of employees having an interaction with Wellness Coaches
-- More than 200 employees quitting smoking
-- 1,900 employees with improved blood pressure readings (out of the nearly 5,000 employees who had their blood pressure taken)
-- The percentage of employees increasing weekly exercise climbed approximately 59 percent
-- Employees attending a combined total of 104,000 one-on-one coaching sessions

The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees’ health and wellness a priority.