Michelin North America Inc. (MNA) is donating around-the-clock, on-site service and up to $250,000 in tires for emergency vehicles of all types involved in the “ground zero” recovery efforts in lower Manhattan, N.Y.
The announcement comes two days after a terrorist attack destroyed the "Twin Towers" of the World Trade Center in Manhattan. The death toll is estimated in the thousands.
“It is simply the right thing to do,” says MNA Chairman and President Jim Micali. “Michelin North America is committed to providing the emergency crews working in the Manhattan crisis area the full resources and expertise of our company.”
Specifically, Michelin’s donation will involve the following:
* An on-site service truck in the “ground zero” area 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The truck will service all emergency vehicles involved in the recovery efforts.
* Up to $250,000 in Michelin tires to any emergency vehicle in the crisis area as necessary to maintain the operation of the vehicle.
* An on-site Michelin technical expert continuously available to assist in any tire or mobility-related issues to ensure the continuous operation of all vehicles.
Michelin expects to service and provide tires for heavy-construction and earthmover equipment as well as fire engines, ambulances, police cars and a variety of other support vehicles.
Groupe Michelin, MNA's parent company, announced a contribution of $1 million to assist the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The “Michelin Relief Fund” has been opened to all 128,000 Michelin employees worldwide who wish to make additional donations.
“It is impossible to find words to express the anguish we feel for the tragedy that has befallen the United States,” says CEO Edouard Michelin. “On behalf of all Michelin employees throughout the world, I offer our heartfelt sympathy to those touched by this disaster. We hope our contribution will help in some small way to assist those in need.”
