Toyota Material Handling USA (TMHU) and New Holland Construction have lent a helping hand to flood relief efforts in the US.

TMHU donated USD10,000 and the use of a forklift to the American Red Cross to assist in relief efforts in the Columbus, Indiana area that was hit by devastating floods two weeks ago.

TMHU has also set up a matching gifts program for its staff and dealers to raise funds for Columbus-based Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Inc (TIEM) and its dealer, Hupp Toyotalift, that incurred significant damage.

Toyota Industries Companies including TMHU have established a USD27,500 fund for TIEM staff members directly affected by the flood.

"Columbus is a community where our associates live, work and play. We are saddened by this natural disaster and news of those impacted by the torrential floods," says Shankar Basu, TMHU president and CEO.

Meanwhile, New Holland loaned a D95B dozer and an M428 telehandler for the levee fortification and clean-up operations in Iowa.

"New Holland has a particularly close connection with Iowa, especially Burlington, where one of our key manufacturing plants is based," says Edgar J Chavez, New Holland Construction marketing director.