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An unprecedented emergency and our response

July 29, 2021

Heatwaves, droughts, and other forms of extreme weather are no longer occasional headlines. Nor are they freak occurrences on faraway continents with only local impact. Climate disruption is a global pattern and has hit close to home when massive rainfall caused deadly floodings in Germany and Belgium.

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The change happened

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A dark storm hovered over our region. An overwhelming downpour ensued. Rivers burst their banks. Violent torrents of water wiped entire towns and villages off the map. The almost insurmountable infrastructural damage and property loss are secondary to the over 200 casualties (as we speak – there are still people missing) in Germany and Belgium. While the cost of rebuilding will run far beyond the hundreds of millions, the cost of life is simply too high.

Events like this will no longer be limited to a handful of days of bad weather or conversations about how we remember there used to be more snow. Events like what we have faced now are the catalyst we need to reshape our future because we have to. Unfortunately, nature has taken any choice we might thought we had away from us.

 

While humanity will do what we do best: rebuild, recover and heal, this is a time to learn, educate, and most of all … Act. All of us at Atlas Copco are proud to work for a global leader in this change, and we are encouraged and inspired to act on a daily basis. That is why we couldn’t be bystanders when extreme climate-related events came to our doorstep.

Humanitarian emergency response

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Atlas Copco Rental Europe and Atlas Copco Atlas Copco Kompressoren und Drucklufttechnik GmbH joined forces and reached out to the Red Cross. A few phone calls and hours later … Our equipment was heading straight to one of the affected areas in Germany. Another prime example of how “Making agility count” isn’t just a tagline. It encompasses who we are. From the Logistical Team to Rental Desk, Service, and Fleet departments. Everyone came together and ensured absolutely no time was wasted.

Everyone at Atlas Copco Rental Europe and Atlas Copco Kompressoren und Drucklufttechnik GmbH mourn the loss of life, and our hearts go out to everyone affected. We face operational challenges and emergencies daily, but our people don’t hesitate to go the extra mile when push comes to shove. The cross-departmental collaboration is truly inspirational and demonstrates when adversity and tragedy strike, we always find our footing eventually and face the challenge head-on.
Bob Zegers , General Manager Atlas Copco Rental Europe
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Our initial delivery consisted of nine Power Modules + fuel tanks and ten light towers. In addition, we made a financial contribution to the Red Cross. From the logistical rendezvous point in Koblenz, the German Military further distributed our equipment due to limited accessibility and safety concerns. We are glad we could assist the brave women and men in the field conducting search operations, attending to the victims, and clearing the way to start rebuilding. Thank you to everyone involved!