Many construction equipment manufacturers have responded to the needs of Hurricane Isabel victims by shipping large amounts of equipment to affected areas, where rental companies worked nearly round the clock to supply homeowners, contractors and emergency-management agencies.

For example, employees of Swedesboro, N.J.-based MMD Equipment worked through the night on September 18 to fill emergency orders for hundreds of pumps and generators as the hurricane pounded the Eastern Seaboard. As of the afternoon of the 18th, MMD had received orders for more than 1,000 pumps and generators and the number doubled by end of day Friday.

“There seemed to be no end to demand,” said Paul Daly, director of operations for MMD. “Through it all, we have continued to offer fair prices and quick shipment to meet this emergency.”

With most of the demand coming from Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, MMD, located near Philadelphia, has one-day truckload shipping capacity to the affected areas.

Another major player in hurricane relief was New Iberia, La.-based Aggreko, which specializes in temporary power units and provided electric generators to many businesses suffering power outages. After the storm, Aggreko worked with Balfor, an emergency restoration company, to provide electricity, drying and dehumidification services to limit damage from mold, mildew and rot.

Small and large manufacturers, distributors and rental companies played major roles in providing power and equipment for cleanup.