Freudenberg-NOK Employees Take Big Steps for Diabetes Prevention

Company Kicks-Off Third Annual 'Walk for Wellness' Program

PLYMOUTH, Mich., June 1 -- For the third consecutive year, Freudenberg-NOK associates are taking steps to get fit, literally. The company recently kicked off its annual Walk for Wellness program aimed at motivating employees to adopt a proactive approach to their well-being. This year's program began the week of May 24th with health fairs at all of the company's U.S. facilities.

However, this year, associates aren't just walking for themselves ... they are also walking for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). For the 2004 season, Freudenberg-NOK has teamed up with ADA as a Corporate Healthy Living Champion to help raise awareness of the negative effects of being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle.

According to the ADA, walking can help prevent type 2 diabetes -- the most common form of this disease affecting 16 million Americans -- so linking the Walk for Wellness program with the diabetes organization was a perfect fit. Freudenberg-NOK plans to make a donation to the charity for every mile walked by its associates.

"We're anticipating another huge success for this year's initiative, especially since the Walk for Wellness program gets better every season," said Sarah O'Hare, director of compensation and benefits for Freudenberg-NOK. "This year, because we've partnered with such an important cause, we're challenging our associates to walk a minimum of 12 miles per week -- a goal we know that they will work hard to reach."

One of the reasons Freudenberg-NOK continues to run its Walk for Wellness program is to help address the increasing cost of healthcare facing every employer and employee alike. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employee health benefits represent 7 percent of total wages on average. If current trends continue, that figure could rise to 25 percent in 10 years.

"Our company has seen the economic benefits that have resulted from Walk for Wellness, including stress reduction and healthier lifestyles," said Sharon S. Wenzl, vice president of human resources and communications for Freudenberg-NOK. "Employee sponsored initiatives such as ours have been proven to help to reduce the rising cost of healthcare ... imagine how significant the impact would be if all companies implemented some type of wellness program within their organizations."

Last year, more than 1,800 of Freudenberg-NOK's 5,600 associates participated in the program, walking a total of 381,062 miles.

The Walk for Wellness program was developed by Freudenberg-NOK in 2002 to help associates adopt a healthier lifestyle. It was designed to be fun and simple, giving everyone an equal opportunity to join in.

Throughout the program, associates are asked to submit a record of their total miles walked -- or an equivalent exercise -- on a weekly basis. They are given the flexibility of participating in a number of cardiovascular exercises, including walking, cycling and aerobics.

When Walk for Wellness concludes in September, the company will recognize all participants by hosting "Wrap Up" parties at each Freudenberg-NOK facility.

Founded in 1989, Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership is a joint venture between Freudenberg & Co. of Germany and NOK Corp. of Japan.

Freudenberg-NOK is a leader in both automotive sealing and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) products and is a supplier to all automakers producing in North America as well as all major tier one chassis and drivetrain suppliers. The company's headquarters and technical center in Plymouth, Mich. houses the most extensive supplier-operated sealing and noise and vibration testing facility in North America.

Freudenberg-NOK offers its automotive customers globally integrated products, including sealing packages for transmissions, engines, brakes, axles and steering, NVH components and packages, and all rubber, plastic and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) components for suspension, electrical and fuel systems.