Leading Logistics and Transportation Company Makes Health a Priority
DALLAS (November 4, 2009) – Greatwide Logistics Services™, a national provider of non-asset-based transportation and third-party logistics services, announced they have expanded a key program that offers healthy options to owner-operators.
Greathealth™, a part of the company’s Greatcare™ program was established in partnership with several key vendors who offer preferred pricing to Greatwide’s large fleet of owner-operators. Greathealth™ services include discounts on health club memberships, providing access to blood pressure kiosks and access to operations centers that are sponsored by vendors such as TEC Equipment and the Healthy Trucking Association of America (HTAA). Greatwide is a charter member of the HTTA and provides free membership to all owner-operators.
Greatwide has been holding Wellness Day events at each operations center since August and will continue the program in 2010. The on-site services are provided by local Greathealth™ partners and include vision tests, blood pressure tests, cholesterol screenings and flu shots. The events also include entertaining activities and healthy food. Greatcare vendors include Wholesale Truck and Finance, Mondics Insurance Group, Arrow Truck Sales, Worksite Benefits and Sleep Pointe.
“Greatwide is determined to drive awareness and provide our professional drivers with the information and resources necessary to assist those who choose to pursue good health,” says Rob Newell, Vice President of Capacity Management. “We are well aware of the health trends among truck drivers and have made it a priority to provide resources that will hopefully lead choices for a healthier lifestyle. With the economy and load volumes are at a lower level, we believe that this is an ideal time to launch Greathealth.”
The general health of the industry’s professional drivers has continued to deteriorate over time. The job is stressful, requires erratic work and sleep schedules and long hours behind the wheel. Drivers do not always have access to healthy food and have limited opportunities for exercise. Research has shown that drivers experience twice the rate of obesity, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even diabetes as compared to the general population. Other research indicates that smoking is three times more prevalent among drivers.
Through Greathealth, Greatwide is working to improve their professional driver’s overall well-being in order to help them lead long and healthy lives.
