On May 12, 2008, a devastating 8-magnitude earthquake jolted Sichuan Province, China, taking tens of thousands of valuable lives instantly. The once beautiful and cozy homes were reduced to rubbles. We share the sorrow and agony that have inflicted upon our friends in the earthquake-hit region. In recent days, the staffs of Linde (China) Forklift Truck Corp., Ltd have been moaning the loss, expressing our care, and participating in the relief work…

Upon learning that the disaster-hit area urgently needs such supplies as water, food, medicines and tents, our Linde (China) Chengdu Branch employees immediately contacted the organizers of the rescuing work, and obtained a pass to enter the disaster-hit region. Our team loaded water, medicines, foods and salts and other necessary supplied into Linde’s service vans, and departed for Hanwang Town in Deyang City, a worst quake-hit area close to the epicenter. After four hours, our team arrived at Lingfacun Village of Hanwang Town, where the supplies were submitted to the head of the village and the medicines were submitted to doctors in the village.  The supplies were then distributed to the needy in an orderly manner.  People in the disaster-hit area were deeply moved.  The head of the village remarked that, “We are very grateful for the many caring people like you.  Your spirit will really help strengthen our fight to recover from the disaster.”

Our labor union has also consoled employees whose immediate family members were affected by the earthquake, and offered to provide assistance.  While some families lost their homes and valuables, all the immediate family members survived the earthquake.  Mr CP Quek, CEO of Linde (China) spent some time with these affected employees and expressed his deepest sympathy, and handed them some donation to support their families.  “It is a difficult time for the affected families, but hand-in-hand with all the brothers and sisters in the company, we will help you recover from this disaster”, said CP Quek. 

Meanwhile, the donation collected from all employees totaled RMB 180,000, and Linde (China) decided to match it 1-for-1, making a pool of RMB 360,000 available in aid for this disaster relief efforts.CP Quek personally handed the RMB 200,000 donation to the Red Cross Society in Chengdu to ensure that the relief funds will reach the needy in the fastest possible way.  While in Chengdu, CP Quek also took the chance to provide moral and emotional encouragement to our employees in Chengdu branch.  CP Quek added that "The remaining funds will be channeled to affected employees, providing needed supplies to the needy via our Chengdu Branch, and for the reconstruction efforts afterwards.”  In addition, Linde (China) have also pledged forklifts trucks to the Red Cross Society in Chengdu for the disaster relief efforts.