Elkhart, Ind.-based Americana Tire and Wheel – Kenda Tire’s distribution arm serving the North American towable trailer, utility, RV, marine and agricultural industries – has been distributing more than tires, wheels and assemblies during COVID 19, the company said Monday. It’s also been dispensing added support to its employees and its local communities.
ATW said that it and nearby Dexstar Wheel, which is also affiliated with Kenda, were able to remain fully operational throughout the past several weeks, dedicated to helping their employees continue to bring home a paycheck while putting their safety as a priority. Operating within the state’s mandated guidelines. ATW provided employees with the appropriate medical masks, instituted rigorous sanitation methods at its facilities, and allowed certain staff members to work at home while maintaining social distancing for those who were coming in to work.
“Our entire organization has really stepped up during this unique time to maintain our business operations to the best of our ability,” said Jeff Pizzola, chief operating officer for Kenda.
The company is also looking out for its communities. The Kenda American Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, is temporarily producing hand sanitizer, not just to distribute in all ATW and its associate companies’ facilities, but also to give to first responders, medical personnel, assisted living centers and nursing homes in the communities in which it operates.
The Akron facility is normally focused on product design, development, testing and quality control.
“We’re shipping our Kenda-branded sanitizer to all ATW facilities and our associate companies for our employees and customers to help fight the spread of the virus. Plus, each shipment arrives with additional bottles of sanitizer to distribute into our local communities for firefighters, police departments, hospitals, assisted living centers and nursing homes. In total, we are giving out 30,000 bottles of hand sanitizer,” said Dave Craig, president of Americana Tire and Wheel.
Further, to thank those in its hometown of Elkhart, ATW employees have been dropping off restaurant gift cards to the firefighters, police, nurses, doctors, and nursing home staffs in recognition of their efforts. The company notes that that token of gratitude simultaneously supports local eateries. ATW said it has also reached out to its global contacts to secure medical masks, which it has donated to Elkhart General Hospital.
Finally, ATW said it has also made a monetary donation to the local Elkhart community food pantries.
“We’ve all been impacted by COVID-19 and in different ways. Between ATW and Dexstar Wheel, our goal has been to combine forces to provide support however we can to this diverse group of affected people. We are grateful to be able to offer these tokens of our appreciation and for our employees to have the opportunity to say thank you to their community,” said Craig.