Throughout 2008, Case Construction Equipment and its employees and dealers have provided resources and support when needed to help repair and rebuild communities in the wake of devastation. Most recently, Case provided disaster relief in Brazil.
When heavy rains caused massive mudslides and other storm damage in southern Brazil in November, and again in Belo Horizonte at the end of December, Case delivered a Case CX220 hydraulic excavator, a Case 845 motor grader, a Case 521D wheel loader and a Case 410 skid-steer loader to the affected areas. The value of the donated equipment use, along with transportation, insurance and training of operators, was more than $100,000.
The machines were used to clear out the access roads and remove earthen barriers that were formed by the mudslides. The work opened access for relief workers to the city of Blumenau. It was one of the cities most affected by the widespread flooding. The disaster caused more than 100 deaths and left thousands of people homeless.
This effort marked the fourth project undertaken in the past 12 months for Case Multiação, a program of sustainable social action supported by Case in Brazil. Other projects included the Fonte Viva Project, which removed crippling amounts of silt from a stretch of the São Francisco River, and a partnership with the municipal government of Sorocaba to build an area for leisure activities that will benefit 22,000 people.
“Our best response to a natural disaster is a fast response,” said Jim McCullough, Case CEO and president. “Our company, employees and dealers have a track record of helping rebuild after the devastation – whether that includes providing equipment or manpower or both.” He added, “We’re part of a global community and are in a unique position to help relief efforts that save lives and rebuild communities.”
Headquartered in Racine, Wis., Case Construction Equipment sells and supports a full line of construction equipment around the world, including loader/backhoes, articulated trucks, excavators, telescopic handlers, motor graders, wheel loaders, vibratory compaction rollers, crawler dozers, skid steers, compact track loaders and rough-terrain forklifts.
