Mohawk Industries is taking action to serve the communities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Across the company, associates are collecting supplies, transporting water, donating financially, and developing platforms to provide further assistance.
“Mohawk’s efforts to help in times of need are at the core of the company culture,” said Brian Carson, president of Mohawk Flooring North America. “We care deeply about the communities where our employees and customers live and work. The resiliency and hope expressed by those affected have touched our hearts and inspired our actions.”
As the devastation from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is fully realized, the need for flooring throughout impacted regions will be significant. Mohawk is putting programs in place to assist its customers in restoring their business operations and preparing for the recovery.
“The heart of the rebuilding effort will take place at the local level, and we want to offer guidance and support,” said Carson. “We have developed tools for customers in these regions that allow impacted consumers to get new flooring in their homes and small businesses quickly.”
These tools include enhanced financing and advertising programs along with increased products available for immediate shipment.
“Many organizations in the healthcare, workplace, education, hospitality sectors and beyond were greatly impacted by these catastrophic storms,” said Michel Vermette, president of Mohawk Group. “Here lies an opportunity to leverage our strengths quickly and efficiently to meet the very specific needs of our neighbors in Florida and Texas. Together, we will help all of those affected to begin the process of mending and bettering communities after great tragedy.”
After each hurricane, Mohawk’s top priority was to make sure its associates were sheltered and stable. To provide continued support for associates’ most pressing needs, Mohawk and Dal-Tile started a GoFundMe page so employees can provide donations to directly assist their coworkers.
“We moved quickly to ensure that employees had cash in hand to help make things a bit easier for them,” said John (J.T.) Turner Jr., president of Dal-Tile. “Very few of us can imagine what someone who survives a hurricane goes through emotionally. Our hope is that this immediate assistance will not only be a financial resource, but it will also reassure them that Mohawk and Dal-Tile have their backs as they begin to rebuild.”
After Hurricane Harvey, Dal-Tile also put together a Care Team that created customized help lists with items such as food, clothing, baby essentials, toiletries, cleaning products and pet supplies. Employees in Dallas donated designated items or sponsored entire families, providing each of the requested necessities to their colleagues.
“Some people lost everything, and you are still seeing them trying to accept this catastrophic reality,” said Keith Lister, Houston-based Mohawk truck driver. “I just encourage people to do whatever they can to help. Every little bit helps. Even the small things like bottled water and gas are important. It is hard to know where to start. So many people are going to need so many things.”
As more information becomes available about the extent of Hurricane Irma’s damage, Mohawk will also aid employees affected by that storm’s devastation with a focus on meeting essential needs first and then supporting their families’ recoveries over time.
For more information, visit mohawkind.com.
