ZERO 2026 Manufacturing Impact Report: A Decade of High-Impact Partnership

Since our inception in 2016, ZERO has focused on perfecting healthcare for the industrial workforce. A decade later, our very first manufacturing partners are still with us today—a testament to the long-term stability and “no-nonsense” performance that manufacturing demands.

In a high-output environment, a back or knee injury is an operational crisis. 

“Musculoskeletal disorders cost U.S. manufacturers $18 billion annually in direct costs, but the true damage lies in the indirect costs—like lost productivity and quality issues—which are often four to five times greater than the medical claims themselves.” — Ergotronix, “$18 Billion Problem: How Musculoskeletal Disorders Are Draining Manufacturing Profits” (2026)

• $19M Validated Savings for Employers
• 5.2 Average Years of Partnership
• 53% Member Engagement

The ZERO Intervention  

While the manufacturing industry at large struggles with these “unavoidable” operational losses, ZERO treats them as controllable expenses. By providing a $0 path to care, we eliminate the barriers that keep the most experienced operators off the line.

$5.5M MSK Win: The portion of the $19M in reduced healthcare costs that ZERO has supported related to MSK surgeries, non-surgical orthopedic care, and physical therapy for our manufacturing partners. Our specialized outreach ensures that when a worker feels that first sign of a back or knee strain, they move towards a $0 solution immediately—preventing a minor ache from becoming a $50K problem. 

High-Performance Partnership: Direct Primary Care + ZERO 

Many of our successful manufacturing partners have moved beyond traditional insurance by implementing Direct Primary Care (DPC). While DPC provides the frontline access employees need, ZERO provides the specialized “exit ramp” for high-cost diagnostics and surgeries. Together, they create a closed-loop system that prioritizes speed, quality, and $0 member responsibility.

• Immediate Access, Immediate Answers: In a DPC model, workers see a doctor without the typical 2-week wait. When that doctor identifies a need for an MRI or a specialist, they have direct access to ZERO.
• The “Fast-Track” Referral: Because DPC providers aren’t bogged down by insurance paperwork, they can coordinate directly with ZERO to schedule major diagnostics or orthopedic consults—often within 24 to 48 hours.
• Stopping the Ripple at the Source: By removing the “referral lag” found in traditional PPOs, we ensure that a minor strain is diagnosed and treated before it becomes a long-term disability claim or an operational bottleneck.

Administrative Ease in Action:
“We’ve had nothing but praise from our employees for the care they have received from the staff and providers at ZERO. From an administrative standpoint, it couldn’t be any easier. Thanks so much!”
– Jody, Director of Human Resources, Lohmiller & Company

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Some of Our Manufacturing Partners

• Downing
• Bergstrom Control Systems
• OSO Perforating
• Ingersoll Cutting Tools
• Webco Industries
• Muncie Power Products
• D&L Oil Tools
• Bama Companies
• Power Solutions International
• Magid
• Genisys Control Systems
• Kimray Inc.
• Lohmiller & Company
• SEF Energy

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The Member Experience: Built on Industrial Trust  

A healthcare benefit in a manufacturing environment is only as valuable as its utilization. Over the last decade, our members haven’t just “had” ZERO—they have used it to navigate their lives. From routine diagnostics to life-changing surgeries, we have delivered over 115,000 services to the manufacturing workforce, maintaining a 94 Member NPS that ranks among the highest in the healthcare industry.

• The $3,000 Retention Dividend: On average, employees using ZERO have saved over $3,000 in out-of-pocket costs over the last decade. In a competitive labor market, providing a $0 path to care is equivalent to a significant, tax-free pay increase for your most valued veterans.
• The “Zero-Anxiety” Model: We replace the “sludge” of legacy insurance—directories, deductibles, and surprise bills—with a concierge experience. For the member, the process is simple: Get the care you need, when you need it, at $0 cost.

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94 Member NPS

“Every experience I have had with ZERO personnel has been wonderful; they are courteous, knowledgeable and very helpful. I highly recommend the service; I have never had a bad experience.”

— Gail, Webco member

“I am loving ZERO so far! We have saved so much money and it’s only March. Every time I call I get someone new and everyone I have talked to is so friendly and nice. The customer service is wonderful!” 

— Scott, Ingersoll Cutting Tools  

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We believe in the power of the manufacturing community. We invite you to move beyond the data and hear the impact firsthand. If you are exploring how ZERO can stabilize your budget, we are happy to connect you directly with our long-standing partners to hear about their journey from legacy “sludge” to $0 healthcare. By working together, we have the ability to achieve Healthcare Simplified To $0.