Recognition is the second in a year for Toray's health and wellness programs

North Kingstown, Rhode Island - Toray Plastics (America), Inc., has been named Providence Business News's (PBN) "Healthiest Employer 2015" in the category of companies with 1,500 to 4,999 employees. Toray's final score exceeded the national benchmark by ten points. The company was honored at a PBN awards luncheon on August 13.  In June Toray received the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) and BlueCross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island's (BCBSRI) 2015 Annual Worksite Health Award.

To compete in the PBN program Toray was required to complete a 75-question assessment, scored by means of a proprietary system by Healthiest Employers, Inc., which conducts similar surveys in roughly 50 markets nationwide. Toray was assessed in six wellness categories: culture and leadership commitment, foundation components, strategic planning, communication and marketing, programming and interventions, and reporting and analysis.  

According to the GPCC and BCBSRI, their award recognizes local businesses and individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the health care system together through more proactive health and wellness measures. 

"The safety of our employees has always been our number one priority, and in 2000 we complemented our safety programs with a wellness initiative to further enhance everyone's well-being and help contain health care costs," says Lisa Ahart, Vice President, U.S. Corporate Human Resources and Environmental Health & Safety. "We are very excited to be recognized for our achievements and acknowledge that it is the commitment of our employees that has made those successes possible." 

Keynote speaker for the PBN awards luncheon was Provant Health Solutions Inc. CEO Heather Provino, who sketched a future for individual wellness that includes far more than simple dietary and physical activities guidelines, but takes into account the full measure of people's lives and uses technology to keep help them on track with their goals.

Peter Andruszkiewicz, President and CEO of BCBSRI said at their award ceremony that "Employers play a critical role in efforts to improve the health of Rhode Islanders and lower healthcare costs. Worksite wellness programs help us attain these goals while also boosting employee performance and creating stronger organizations." 

Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, said that the awardees "set a positive example for the larger business community," and encouraged other companies to follow their lead. 

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is a leading manufacturer of polyester, polypropylene, bio-based, and metallized films for flexible and rigid packaging, lidding, graphic, industrial, optical, and electronic applications. It is also a leader in the manufacture of polyolefin, polypropylene, and polyethylene foams for the automotive and flooring industries. The company is a subsidiary of Toray Industries, Inc., the world leader in synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance films, which has annual sales exceeding US$19 billion.