Store's fitness focus is a win-win for losers
Program shrinks workers' waistlines, beefs up productivity
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Published in Automotive News, Sept. 3, 2012
Crevier BMW is shedding dead weight.
Since starting its Biggest Loser contests seven years ago, the dealership has shed 640 pounds. That's how much weight employees at the Santa Ana, Calif., dealership have lost by participating in the contests.
A focus on physical fitness and employee well-being contributes to a low absentee rate, high employee retention and productivity. The store sells about 4,000 new and used vehicles annually, making it one of BMW's top-selling U.S. dealerships.
Crevier credits its performance largely to providing employees with several health programs. A variety of health care specialists and inspirational speakers are brought in regularly. Free health clinics offer flu shots, cholesterol checks and other health tests, and there are four weight-loss contests annually.
There also are the weekly massages. And in November 2011 management added guidance resources, which give employees access to financial information, legal support, work/life solutions and confidential therapy.
Managers say the emphasis on health keeps employees loyal and productive.
"We end up the winners," says Al Parajeckas, general manager of the store, which is owned by Penske Automotive Group Inc. "We have less absenteeism, and they have more energy. They're happier. There's less turnover. It all comes back to us in different ways."
Parajeckas spent about $4,800 in 2011 on health-related programs at the dealership, and it has paid off. The store, which sells the BMW and Mini brands, has about 275 full-time employees.
Last year the turnover rate for the BMW employees was less than 10 percent. For Mini employees, it was zero. And BMW Group AG named Crevier BMW-Mini an international finalist for the "Excellence in Sales 2010" competition in the Manager of the Year category. BMW says Crevier is its most-awarded BMW dealership in North America, and it has been the top-selling BMW store in the western United States for 19 years.
- 2 health fairs annually
- Free flu shots and medical testing, such as cholesterol checks
- Guest nutritionists, fitness trainers and motivational speakers
- A Biggest Loser weight-loss contest each quarter
- Friday chair massages
The Biggest Loser contest is held every three months. Typically about 30 to 40 percent of the staff participate. It begins in January with a health fair, Parajeckas says.
"We have health experts take blood pressure, body fat analysis; yoga and fitness experts come in," Parajeckas says. "All the employees participate. Then we kick off the Biggest Loser contest."
Crevier emphasizes employee health in ways other than weight loss. It supplements its January health fair with a smaller health fair in the fall.
Inspirational speakers, such as Mike Scioscia, manager of the Los Angeles Angels, have talked of teamwork and handling big egos, finance manager Mike Weldon says.
Then each Friday Crevier offers 15-minute massages that book up every week, Parajeckas says.
"We do it because employees love it," Parajeckas says. "It makes them feel better, and it's one of those things where they start to feel better about themselves, they're happier, and they have more energy."
Brands sold: BMW and Mini
Annual new-vehicle sales: 3,000
Annual used-vehicle sales: 1,000
Annual revenue: $275 million
Total full-time employees: 275
2011 BMW employee turnover: 10%
2011 Mini employee turnover: Zero
You can reach Jamie LaReau at jlareau@crain.com. -- Follow Jamie on 
