Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, donated a 20-ton container of liquid coatings to help rebuild homes in Haitian villages devastated by Hurricane Matthew. The shipment, which is equivalent to 3,602 gallons of paint and valued at $33,000, arrived in Haiti this week, and was received by Maxima S.A., a Haiti-based woodworking company. The donation will cover more than 1.4 million square feet of surface area.
“Haiti is one of the most vulnerable nations in the world in the face of natural disasters, including most recently Hurricane Matthew, which has left families and whole communities devastated,” said Michael Cash, Axalta Senior Vice President and President of the company’s industrial coatings business. “We are very fortunate that the products we make every day can, in some small way, help the families and communities in Haiti recover. We are thankful that our donation will help the country continue to rebuild, and we are grateful that FAMIS, one of our longest standing customers, shares this same energy to help our neighbors in Haiti.”
Maxima S.A. delivers starter homes to rural Haitian families suffering from natural disasters including the 2010 earthquake and now those affected by the recent damage from Hurricane Matthew. A single housing kit covers 250 square feet, is hurricane-certified to withstand 108 mph winds, and has been tested and approved in Haiti. The coatings donation from Axalta will be used to cover the exterior of 5,600 Maxima starter homes.
“We’re so grateful for the donation from Axalta of liquid coatings for our starter homes,” said Stefan Vervloet, President of Maxima S.A. “Haitians are eager to rebuild, and we’re happy to partner with an organization that can help bring healing to a community recovering from Hurricane Matthew.”
The 20-foot container of coatings was coordinated and shipped from Miami, Fla. by FAMIS, Inc., the foremost industrial finishing supply distributor throughout the southeast. “There was no question about helping with this project. We said ‘yes’ before we even had all of the details; that’s how much we believe in Axalta and the philanthropic work they do,” said Mario R. Hernandez, Vice President of FAMIS, Inc. “Our family-owned company was happy to help Axalta, Maxima, and the Haitian people,” he said. Various colors of solvent-based anti-corrosive and decorative coatings, water-based decorative paint, water-based sealer and fast dry alkyd paint were shipped to help the reconstruction of Haitian villages.
Axalta is committed to helping sustain communities through partnerships and initiatives that connect to the nature of its business as a technology-based manufacturing company. In addition to three key areas of support (education with a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM focus, sustainability initiatives, and community service where employees and customers live and work), Axalta also partners with companies and institutions that share an interest in safety and health, environmental stewardship, and quality products and services.