(L to R) John Sauer and Cathy Skoula, from Action Against Hunger; Jim Malvaso, Raymond president and CEO; John Rickard from International Rescue Committee Inc.

Jim Malvaso, president and CEO of Raymond Corp, has presented cheques totalling USD280,000 to relief agencies working with tsunami victims.

The presentation was made at Raymond Corp's New York headquarters last Friday.

Raymond and its 35 North American dealers made the contribution by jointly donating USD200 for each electric rider truck and USD50 for each electric walkie pallet truck sold in January and February.

Forkliftaction.com News reported in March that Raymond and its dealer network were donating USD340,000 to Action Against Hunger, International Rescue Committee Inc and the AmeriCares Foundation (Forkliftaction.com News #200).

Raymond spokesperson Kevin Trenga said the final contribution was less.

"We are not at liberty to disclose the exact number of trucks sold because we do not publicise sales and market share data," he said.

When asked why the donations came so late, Trenga said Raymond's intention was to provide ongoing relief efforts in tsunami-affected areas.

"The agency representatives confirmed that much relief work still needs to be done in the areas hardest hit. Some of that work will take years to complete," he said.

Other materials handling companies, like JCB, Linde and Komatsu, also have contributed aid to tsunami victims (Forkliftaction.com News #191).