For decades, rising healthcare costs have been a major concern for both employers and employees. Leadership at Gamber-Johnson, a Wisconsin-based leader in rugged mounting solutions, took this challenge head-on. Their commitment to reshaping employee health benefits not only resulted in significant cost savings but also enhanced the quality and accessibility of care for their workforce.
In recognition of their efforts, Gamber-Johnson was presented with a Healthcare Transformation Award at The Alliance’s 2025 Spring Symposium. This award is given by The Alliance Board of Directors and acknowledges organizations that drive meaningful change in healthcare by improving quality, affordability, and accessibility. “If you want to view a company that truly cares about the well-being of its employees, look to Gamber-Johnson,” said Curt Kubiak, President and CEO of The Alliance. “Gamber-Johnson is a prime example for other employers on what’s possible if you commit to a collaborative and employee-first approach to healthcare benefits.”
A Bold Move Toward Better Health Benefits
Gamber-Johnson’s journey toward healthcare innovation began in 2020 when leadership recognized the unsustainable trajectory of traditional healthcare plans. “Healthcare costs were skyrocketing, benefits were getting worse, premiums were getting higher, and employees were less and less happy. We knew we had to do something to change the tide by switching to self-funding,” said Phillip Blair, Vice President of Human Resources at Gamber-Johnson.
By embracing self-funding, Gamber-Johnson gained control over its healthcare expenses and implemented a tailored approach that prioritized high-quality, cost-effective care. A key component of this strategy was partnering with transparent, value-driven healthcare providers like Anovia Health and Solstice Health. These partnerships provided employees with access to high-quality primary care, advanced imaging, specialty services, and surgical options—often at no cost to them.
Putting Employees First
Understanding that accessibility to care is a crucial component of health outcomes, Gamber-Johnson also established an onsite clinic for employees and their families. This initiative not only made healthcare more convenient and cost effective for employees to access but also reinforced the company’s commitment to holistic wellness. “It’s about supporting our employees in all facets of wellness,” Blair emphasized.
The results speak for themselves. Since implementing these changes, Gamber-Johnson and its employees have collectively saved over $1 million in healthcare costs. Perhaps more importantly, the workforce has responded with overwhelming approval with 95% of employees reporting high satisfaction with their benefits in company surveys.
A CEO’s Vision for Sustainable Change
For Chief Executive Officer Gautam Malik, Gamber-Johnson’s success in transforming healthcare is deeply personal. “This award gives me a lot of personal satisfaction, and it recognizes the hard work the team has done. It always takes an entire village,” Malik said.
Malik is a firm believer that healthcare should not be a financial burden on employees or their families. By opting for The Alliance’s broad and flexible provider network, Gamber-Johnson was able to offer employees more choices in care, ensuring that affordability did not come at the cost of quality.
“If the healthcare strategy is deployed right, you can give more benefits to employees, and they are going to have better care at affordable prices,” Malik explained. “Over time, our healthcare costs have gone down. That is millions of dollars going back into the bottom line. I can invest that into people and continue to create jobs. With self-funding, you can offer the best benefits, and your costs can go down. As a business owner, I am getting a return on investment. It is a successfully deployed strategy that is meaningful and a win-win for employees and the organization.”
A Ripple Effect: Driving Industry Change
For Gamber-Johnson, this recognition isn’t just about celebrating past success—it’s about inspiring other businesses to take proactive steps toward meaningful healthcare reform. Gamber-Johnson’s innovative healthcare strategy extends beyond its own organization. The company has been a vocal advocate for industry-wide reform, leveraging value-based care models that focus on quality outcomes rather than volume-based billing. Their efforts include innovative payment reforms, strategic provider network design, and benefit plan structuring that ensures cost-effectiveness without compromising care.