Fewer sick days, better health and wellbeing and a stronger team spirit. Active health promotion in the workplace can help achieve them all. Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI) in Ranshofen, Upper Austria, shows how simple safety measures can grow into a successful, holistic approach to improving employee health.
“It started ten years ago with a concept to improve occupational safety”, remembers Bettina Bogner, Head of HR and co-initiator of the corporate health promotion drive at aluminium processor HAI in Ranshofen. An analysis of the company’s sickness rates made it clear that musculoskeletal issues in particular were causing a significant amount of the absences. “This analysis showed us that we were not only recording a lot of sick days, but also had to work strategically on the reasons behind them”, says Bogner. Corporate health management was already in place at HAI, but these new findings were the spark to take another look at the topic from a different angle. The existing staff were reactivated, new employees were brought in, and fresh perspectives were sought from both administrative and production staff. This generated several innovative ideas and measures that went far beyond the previous approaches. At the same time, a new HAI culture developed, marked by team spirit, interdepartmental collaboration and the shared goal of making a lasting commitment to improving health and wellbeing across the company.
“The first thing we did was to make work in the production areas gentler on the body, for example by bringing in new cranes to the manufacturing halls. In the offices, height-adjustable desks became the norm. As well as ergonomic swivel chairs, many employees now also have an exercise ball or standing chair to enable them to change their positions as much as they want”, explains Bogner. At the same time, the preventative work started. One particular highlight for the HAI team: the weekly fitness classes focused on spinal health. Due to shift working patterns, these are offered in the mornings and evenings so that anyone in the company can take advantage of them, regardless of their working hours. “There were five people at the first back fitness class. Now we have around 20 joining each time”, says a delighted Bogner.
One important part of the GesundHAIt (a play on Gesundheit meaning ‘health’ in German) programme is the exercise component. From running events to the Business Run to functional training, it offers a huge range of activities that have an important added benefit. “Our many sport events strengthen team spirit and create a sense of togetherness between our production and administrative staff. That’s extremely important to us”, says the Head of HR. The sports club WhatsApp group keeps everyone up to date. And the move effect app doesn’t just track athletic performance. The HAI health management team also shares regular tasks to get the staff moving. “The inter-office challenges are great fun. Like which HAI branch can take the most steps by a set date.”
Staff have access to the company’s fitness studio whenever they like, including at weekends, and a physiotherapist comes in once per week. HAI also has partnerships with a range of sports organisations and trainers, which enables it to offer a wealth of classes. Staff can find a detailed overview, contact details and registration options right on the Intranet.
Mental health isn’t left behind either. A cooperation with Mavie gives staff access to tips and guides for mental wellbeing. It also offers a phone line where they can speak to a qualified specialist anonymously about any personal concerns and problems. “Social benefits like holiday childcare, discounts and company events are important factors that contribute to general wellbeing and stress reduction for staff. This is essential for mental health”, adds Bogner.
The highlight of the programme is the regular HAI Health Day. Experts are brought in to give talks and offer advice on health-related topics – from nutrition to restful sleep and shiftwork, to body fat measurements. “Our staff have access to a wealth of information. There’s something for everyone”, says the HR Manager, proudly.
Ten years on, with these measures, offers and optimisations expanding all the time, what has changed? A lot, confirms Bogner: “Our sickness data shows that we’ve been able to keep absence rates to a low, stable level. We can see that our initiatives are having the right impact. The staff really get a lot out the programme, and that motivates us to do even more. We want to offer more than just a basket of free fruit. Our aim is to have happy, healthy HAIers, who benefit from a holistic approach to health that covers both the physical and psychological aspects. We can definitely see that we’re on the right track.”
About.
Bettina Bogner has been part of the HAI family for 10 years and is the HR manager for the company’s Austrian site. She was the co-initiator of the company’s health management programme expansion.
The HAI Group employs around 1,800 staff. Founded in 2007, it is headquartered in Ranshofen, Upper Austria, and has eight other locations across Germany, Romania, Poland and South Korea. As one of the most sustainable companies in the aluminium sector, HAI focuses specifically on resource-efficient production processes, high recycling rates and responsible value creation along the entire production chain. In 2025, HAI achieved revenues of €833 million across its casting, extrusion and processing production areas. The HAI Group’s products can be found in the construction, automotive and transportation technology, electrical engineering and machine and plant engineering sectors.