Photo: BulldozerD11 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hagie Manufacturing held its Health and Safety Fair in Clarion on May 8, 2014, with 47 local businesses, state agencies, community colleges and Hagie departments taking part.
Pam Bradshaw, Hagie’s wellness coordinator, challenged exhibitors to build their booths around the company’s seventh family value, to create fun and be adventurous. Wright County Economic Development’s booth had visitors building houses out of Legos, next to a Lego model of a sprayer with movable booms. The HR department dressed as pirates under the theme “treasure your health.”
The serious side was showing employees and residents what services are available nearby, from health care to financial planning. Bradshaw said the point was that when people need those services, they recognize a face or know who to call.
Dave Maxheimer, Hagie’s human resources director, said the turnout was the most community involvement he had seen at the event. The company also offers employees fitness memberships and lower health insurance costs for completing wellness steps.
Hagie, which builds high-clearance sprayers, has been one of Clarion’s largest employers for decades. John Deere bought a majority stake in the company in 2016.
Curt Hanneman writes for Clarion News Online.