Terex Corp. Donates Aid and Equipment to Midwest Flooding Clean-Up Efforts

July 18, 2008
The historic flooding that affected many thousands of homeowners and businesses throughout the Midwest also had an impact on Terex team members and manufacturing facilities in Iowa. Nearly 70 Terex Cranes team members’ lives were affected by the flood waters in Waverly, Iowa, while more than 30 members of the Terex USA facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were affected by flooding there. Additionally, the Terex Cedar Rapids facility lost power and phone service for a period of several days.

The historic flooding that affected many thousands of homeowners and businesses throughout the Midwest also had an impact on Terex team members and manufacturing facilities in Iowa. Nearly 70 Terex Cranes team members’ lives were affected by the flood waters in Waverly, Iowa, while more than 30 members of the Terex USA facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were affected by flooding there. Additionally, the Terex Cedar Rapids facility lost power and phone service for a period of several days.

“The entire Terex family was saddened to learn of the devastating effects that the flood waters had on so many of the lives of our team members and their families,” said Ron DeFeo, chairman and CEO. “At the same time, we were truly inspired both by how our Iowa team members pitched in to help each other and the fact that they remained dedicated to doing their jobs for Terex throughout this wrenching ordeal.“

To help the individuals and the communities directly affected by the flooding begin the road to recovery, Terex Corp. established a two-pronged strategy for donating assistance: one for its internal team members; and a second for the communities in which they live.

Upon learning of the need, Terex sent two semi-trailer loads of bottled drinking water to the Waverly and Cedar Rapids manufacturing facilities, which took a small portion of the shipment and then donated the rest to the Red Cross to help flood victims. Terex also provided gift cards to all team members who were directly affected by the floodwaters to help with basic needs assistance, and the company offered temporary housing assistance. The company also established a “Terex Helping Terex” program wherein Terex team members can contribute cash donations to help team members affected by the flooding in Iowa.

“The factory also rallied volunteers from within to assist in the clean-up efforts for fellow team members affected by the floodwaters,” says Lowell Puls, general manager of Terex Cedar Rapids plant. “We continue to explore other means for assisting them further.”

For the Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities, Terex donated equipment from its Terex Construction Americas business segment to help with the clean-up efforts. Immediately after the Cedar River’s June 13 crest, Terex sent an assessment team to Cedar Rapids to make contacts with city leaders and public works officials to determine the needs. Nearly $600,000 worth of wheel loaders, backhoes, mini-excavators and light towers were shipped on June 17 from North Carolina to the Terex Cedar Rapids facility, where the equipment was staged for pick up by any city department that needed it.

“We wanted to be a part of the solution, and we informed city officials that the equipment was being donated free of charge for whatever they needed to help with clean-up efforts and for as long as they needed it,” explains Tim Karnitz, regional sales manager, west central region, for Terex Construction Americas. Currently, the equipment is being loaned to the cities on a four-week basis with extension periods available as needed.

Home to the manufacture of crushing and screening equipment for Terex Materials Processing and asphalt paving equipment for Terex Roadbuilding – the Terexplant in Cedar Rapids did not sustain water damage from the record water levels of the Cedar River that reached beyond the 500-year flood plain. However, the flooding affected the electrical grid supplying power to the offices and factory.

“The short-term power interruptions resulted in a disruption to paver equipment and parts deliveries for some of our customers,” said Mark Hunt, senior director of business development and paver operations for Terex Roadbuilding. “However, we are now fully operational, are working to quickly recover from these delays and look forward to continuing to supply our customers with parts and equipment. Our entire team appreciates the concern, support and understanding shown by our customers as we work through the impact of the power outage and the effects of the flooding on some of our team members.”