Hawker Beechcraft Named Fit-Friendly Company by American Heart Association

AHA Start! Program recognizes company for promoting physical activity, health in the workplace

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation was recently named a Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association for its employee wellness programs. HBC was one of three Wichita, Kan., businesses to receive this recognition for the first time. To become a Start! Fit-Friendly Company, HBC met criteria of having implemented various options to encourage physical activity, nutrition and culture enhancements.

“Achieving the status of a fit-friendly company is a great accomplishment for all of us at Hawker Beechcraft,” said William (Bill) Brown, president, Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Service and Support, and chair of the American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk. “We are making big strides in getting employees more active and focused on their health, which is a win-win for the company and the employees.”

HBC has partnered with the Greater Wichita YMCA on a variety of wellness programs, including subsidized memberships and on-site wellness coaches. The company’s other efforts include on- site walking routes, healthy food options in cafeterias and vending machines, annual employee health risk assessments, exercise and fitness challenges, and an annual health and wellness fair. HBC was also a major sponsor for the Start! Heart Walk on June 13 at Wichita State University.

“Time constraints and job responsibilities are employees’ biggest obstacles to exercising,” said Teri Mather, American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk Director. “Studies suggest that implementing a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of physical activity will help companies increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, lower turnover and reduce hard costs.”

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.