Beam, Longest and Neff Employees Shed Hundreds of Pounds While Trimming the Fat off the Firm's Growing Healthcare Costs.

Business Editors

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2003

Employees of the premiere engineering firm of Beam, Longest, and Neff (BLN) are dropping both excess poundage and pant sizes while positioning the firm as an industry leader in the battle against obesity. Beam, Longest and Neff is currently sponsoring 22 employees in the Weight Watchers weight loss program encouraging them to lose pounds while gaining a higher quality of life.

According to Scott Reske, State Representative for Pendleton, Anderson and Fortville and a part owner of Beam, Longest and Neff, "When compared to the rest of the country, Indiana is one of the most obese states. If we reduce our obesity as a population we are not only improving our health, but we are also receiving financial benefits."

Like many Hoosiers, several members of the staff at Beam, Longest and Neff suffered from chronic weight-related illnesses such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. When faced with yet another yearly increase in its health care costs, the company knew prevention had to become a low cost alternative.

After sponsoring 22 employees on the Weight Watchers program for six months, the participants have lost a combined total of 850 pounds! In addition to shedding the excess pounds, several employees have also been able to reduce their medications. According to Representative Reske, "The program has paid for itself bringing cost savings to both BLN and its employees while also improving the quality of life for all of the program's participants."

Reske believes mutual support is the reason the program has been such a success. "One of the most important things for weight loss is support and let's face it, people at work spend a lot of time together. This has become a place where ideas are exchanged, along with foods that taste good and are low in calories and fats. Some of the things I'm eating now are a result of suggestions from other people in the program."

When asked what he thinks of Beam, Longest, and Neff's weight loss program Dan Barnett, an employee with BLN for 41 years who has lost a total of 49.6 pounds so far replied, "This is one of the best things the company has ever done for its employees."

Beam, Longest and Neff, LLC is one of the state's leading engineering firms. Its staff is comprised of over 125 experienced professionals, including engineers, designers, surveyors, environmental analysts and GIS consultants/analysts. To learn more about Beam, Longest and Neff, LLC, contact Jim Longest at [phone]. You can also visit www.b-l-n.com.