Industry Profile
ArcBest is an integrated logistics company that leverages technology and a suite of shipping and logistics solutions to meet supply chain needs.
ArcBest’s commitment to employee wellness
ArcBest started in 1923 as an Arkansas freight hauler. A century later, with more than 15,000 employees, the company knows its people are at the heart of its success.
That’s why Rich Krutsch, VP of People Services, made the push to add wellness to the company’s list of core values in 2013. The executive team eventually got on board, recognizing that fostering a culture of total health and employee wellness would help their people, protect their status as an industry leader, and improve their bottom line as a self-funded employer.
Now that wellness is a driving force behind the company culture, employees feel holistically supported. Not coincidentally, ArcBest’s healthcare costs have gone down 13%.
The search for an MSK partner that could stand the test of time
As part of the company’s commitment to total health, ArcBest began searching for a musculoskeletal (MSK) point solution in 2020. MSK conditions were their top driver of healthcare costs. Employees were especially affected by pain in the lower back, shoulders, and knees.
Leadership knew that the right digital physical therapy solution could help employees live pain-free — while also lowering the company’s medical spend.
Of course, ArcBest was intent on selecting a clinically validated solution. But beyond that, it wanted a visionary MSK partner that had big plans for the future — one that would make waves in the healthcare industry and stay on the cutting edge of MSK technology. As an adaptable company that has remained relevant for a century, ArcBest chooses partners that it believes can adapt and grow alongside it.
Why ArcBest chose Sword
Innovation meets holistic care
ArcBest selected Sword because of its future-forward approach to MSK care. From FDA-listed motion tracking to the first digital pelvic health solution, Sword leads with clinical innovation.
But innovation alone wasn’t enough. ArcBest was drawn to Sword’s holistic approach — one that recognizes the link between physical and mental health. Sword’s platform treats pain and pain-related mental health conditions together, helping employees heal fully and sustainably.
Sword is the rare benefits partner that understands our vision to create a culture of wellness for our entire organization.
Getting employees engaged — and keeping them engaged
ArcBest drove strong adoption through a multi-pronged launch strategy: peer-to-peer promotion, omni-channel communication, and behaviorally informed nudges. The goal was to empower employees to take charge of their health and get back to what they love.
It worked. ArcBest achieved a 12% enrollment rate, well above average. Participants went on to complete 25 sessions on average — nearly 3x the number of sessions typically completed in traditional in-person physical therapy.
9.1/10
satisfaction score among enrolled ArcBest employees.
12%
enrollment rate
3.2:1
ROI achieved with Sword
We’re seeing less pain, less surgery, less depression and anxiety, and lower spend on MSK. Better yet, our employees are happier, healthier, and more productive. Sword is the rare benefits partner that understands our vision to create a culture of wellness for our entire organization. I had the...
A partnership rooted in people and powered by outcomes
ArcBest’s results go beyond the numbers. With Sword, they found a partner that shares their long-term vision: one that prioritizes innovation, clinical rigor, and total employee well-being.
41%
depression reduction
48%
anxiety reduction
65%
surgery intent reduction
50%
lost productivity reduction
From leadership adoption to employee empowerment, ArcBest has built a wellness culture where people feel supported, engaged, and free to move through life without pain.
As healthcare costs rise and workplace expectations shift, ArcBest proves that it’s possible to deliver measurable impact — while staying true to your values.
