Materials handling companies are contributing cash and equipment to assist clean up efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city.

Deere & Co will contribute USD500,000 and match employee contributions to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

"Because equipment manufactured by Deere can be helpful in relief and restoration efforts, [our] equipment divisions will also identify how in-kind equipment donations can best be used," the company said on its website.

United Rentals says it will contribute up to USD100,000 in financial support for hurricane victims through a donation to the Red Cross fund.

Caterpillar Inc has shipped 60 Cat power modules from Brazil to the Gulf Coast region at the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s request. Each module can power 200 to 300 homes.

The company's wheel loaders & excavators division is working with its defence & federal products division to donate a large materials handler to the US Army Corp of Engineers to rebuild New Orleans' levees.

Bobcat Company has already shipped six truckloads of grapples and three truckloads of Bobcat loaders to Mobile, Alabama. A portion of factory production at its North Dakota, Minnesota and Georgia facilities has been dedicated to satisfying the equipment needs of affected areas.

The Komatsu Group is donating USD500,000 to the American Red Cross and has promised to match contributions by its US employees.

Ingersoll-Rand Financial Services, the main finance arm for Bobcat products, has offered a deferred loan payment program for new and existing customers.