November 2011

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Healthcare

The need for cost-effective, innovative healthcare benefits has never been greater as employers strive to maintain both a healthy, productive workforce and a healthy bottom line. Healthcare premiums have surged in the last 10 years at more than 2.7 times the rate of inflation. During the same time period, the average employee contribution to company-provided health insurance also rose, while out-of-pocket expenses for co-payments and deductibles continued to increase. Many employers are struggling to find ways to manage costs and optimize health benefits spending while simultaneously responding to new government mandates and employee demands for more affordable, higher quality healthcare.

Research has determined that up to 75 percent of healthcare costs are linked to treating diseases that are often preventable such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and various respiratory conditions. According to the National Business Group of Health, obesity alone is responsible for as much as $94 billion of the nation’s annual medical cost. Employers are currently picking up the tab for an estimated $13 billion a year in obesity-related expenses, despite the fact that most employer-sponsored group insurance plans cover wellness programs. The Centers for Disease control and Prevention notes that being obese increases the risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and other respiratory illnesses, and even some cancers.

Employers are currently picking up the tab for an estimated $13 billion a year in obesity-related expenses, despite the fact that most employer-sponsored group insurance plans cover wellness programs.

The goal of wellness benefits is to keep insured employees and their covered family members as healthy as possible, thereby reducing the need for expensive treatments including hospitalizations and emergency department visits. For employers, there are significant indirect cost benefits as well. According to the Partnership for Prevention absenteeism and presenteeism (being at work but not working up to capacity) can total two to three times the direct medical costs. Examples of some of the benefits include: Healthier workers are nearly three times more productive at work than those who are less healthy – this equates to 140 vs. 45 productive hours per month; and healthy employees took nine times fewer sick days than workers with poor health. Additionally, companies with a strong wellness focus experienced fewer workers’ compensation and disability claims and lower overall health costs.

At A&K there have been a lot of different programs introduced to promote the health and wellness of our employees. Early detection, proper nutrition,

and routine exercise are the key to living a long and healthy life, and will also help to control long-term healthcare costs. You are encouraged to take the necessary steps available to you to ensure early detection and treatment of diseases.

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You can protect your health with preventive care. If potentially life-saving health screenings are available why not take advantage of them? Which is better: Taking an hour or two out of your busy day to have your annual checkup - or missing hidden symptoms and paying the price in sick days, co-pays, and missed events. Answer: nothing makes more sense than preventing illness before it happens. That’s why our plans offer excellent benefits for preventive services.

You can protect your health with preventive care. If potentially life-saving health screenings are available why not take advantage of them?

During this time of year you can review your insurance options and make the changes you want to your plan. It is important to be a health-care consumer and really understand how your plan works for example - familiarize yourself with the Preferred Provider Network; research your prescription drugs to compare name brands vs. generics; explore mail order prescriptions instead of monthly visits to the local pharmacy; consider an urgent care clinic rather than an emergency room if the situation is not life threatening.

By everyone working together we will begin to make changes to the overall health of our company and our group healthcare program.

Contact Information

Welcome – Jeff Galyean

I joined A&K in July and I am working at the Corporate Headquarters as the new Controller. I spent the last several years serving as the Vice President of Accounting with an international commercial real estate company. As a member of the Executive Management team there I played a strategic role in the overall management of the company.

I bring to A&K more than 12 years of experience in all aspects of accounting and financial management. I will be working directly with Ray Yamasaki to learn all the intricacies of A&K and I will be responsible for all accounting as well as all areas of our administration group. I received my bachelor’s degree and MBA from Southern Utah University. I am a CPA and a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants.

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my wife Hillary and our two daughters McKenzie (5) and Kayli (18 months). I am excited to be part of this team and I look forward to the future of our company!

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Welcome – Nathan Oien

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We would like to welcome Nathan Oien to the A&K Family. Nathan as many of you may know has worked for A&K as a subcontractor for the past several years. In August Rocky was able to persuade him to join the A&K team as a job foreman and has already proven to be a great asset to the field operations group. Nathan is presently working on a tough project in Sandusky, Ohio. He has three employees working with him. They are working on a 17.5 mile project that is to say the least was a little overgrown. Before beginning the actual job they first had the task of clearing out all of the brush. They have been doing a great job and are moving along at a great pace.

Along with Nathan we would like to welcome Zach Gast, Brandon Oien and Brett Whyde to A&K.

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A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.

Employee News

Vickie Matkins (Shawnee, Kansas Sales Office) and Alvin (Al) Dunn were united in marriage September 24, 2011 at the Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. In attendance were the parents of the couple, Roy and Dorothy Jones and James and Viola Dunn.

Also attending were the couple’s friends, brothers and sisters as well as their children and grandchildren. Following the ceremony the reception and dinner was held at Ricco’s Italian Restaurant. The couple will take their Honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean the first week of November.

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It was what Bill Donnelly called the “Post Health Challenge Event of the Year – Warrior Dash”. He, Sandy Groff and Jessica Blankis competed in the 3.17 mile race on October 15th. Held in Old Monroe, Missouri it is considered America’s most insane race. Warrior Dash is a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run from hell. This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with kick-butt music, beer and warrior helmets. They had a lot of fun and got very muddy at the end.

“I don’t think they’re in Kansas anymore” … it’s the Groff family Wizard of Oz. Wicked Witch – Clarissa, Flying Monkeys – Kyle and Weston, Tinwoman – Sandy, Lion – Blake, Scarecrow – Jeremy, Dorothy – Lilly. The whole family joined in the Halloween fun.

Snapshot

Halloween? No – just one of the little known hazards of working outdoors – Wild Hair. It was a very windy day in Stockton and after Andy Yciano came inside he looked very different than he usually does. Kimberli could not stop laughing!

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Don’t Dread Holiday Weight Gain

Some studies show that the average American gains 5 to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years Day; while others suggest that Americans probably only gain about a pound over the winter holiday season. Gaining a pound may seem unimportant but that weight typically is not lost over the remainder of the year and accumulates year after year.

Because losing weight is so difficult, it is important to avoid weight gain during the holidays. Following some simple guidelines will help you.

#1. Drink Water – and lots of it. Sounds boring? This tip is always mentioned because it works. Adequate water intake keeps your metabolism at a maximum rate and staves off hunger cravings. In fact many people mistake thirst for hunger and end up eating to quench their thirst. This results in more calories than your body needs and excess pounds.

#2. Increase Your Exercise A Little Bit Every Day – Everyone deserves to indulge in holiday treats. Part of the fun of the holiday season is the amazing treats that are only around at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. Accept the fact that you’re going to indulge a bit – and then enjoy it! But make sure you make up for it by increasing your exercise. You don’t have to exercise or sweat till you fall off your treadmill. Just increase your exercise time a bit every day, maybe ten minutes here, fifteen minutes there, it all adds up and you’ll burn off those extra treats.

#3. Cut Back Where You Can – Did you know the average number of calories consumed by one person during a typical Thanksgiving dinner is 7,100! Eat what you like, but only a few bites – instead of a whole piece of pie, just have a few bites. Make small calorie cutbacks at other meals during the week to make up for the extra calories. Be sure to also look for healthy alternatives to your favorites like air-popped popcorn instead of a bag of potato chips you usually indulge in for the big game. Or instead of a piece of pie for desert, why not try blueberries mixed in low fat yogurt?

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Don’t deny yourself, just make smart choices and you’ll save yourself the stress of unwanted weight gain. You might even lose a few pounds, just in time for New Years Eve!

A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
Always Moving Forward

Copyright 2011 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.