GEARWRENCH®, Crescent®, Wiss®, Lufkin® Tools Donated to Harvey, Irma Relief; Texas Warehouse Loaned to Disaster Recovery Effort

SPARKS, Md., Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier hand tool businesses GEARWRENCH®, Crescent®, Wiss®, and Lufkin® are donating $220,000 in tools to help rebuild communities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  In addition, parent company Apex Tool Group, LLC has donated the use of a 350,000 sq. ft. warehouse for two months – valued at $120,000 - to disaster relief nonprofit Trusted World as a sorting and staging headquarters for Harvey donations from around the country.

Yesterday, thousands of demolition and construction hand tools were shipped from the company's Apex, North Carolina distribution center to the Houston Community ToolBank, a nonprofit that is an affiliate of ToolBank USA.  "Our associates as well as our businesses are committed to building today's communities, building tomorrow's skills, and rebuilding in times of need," said Jim Roberts, CEO, Apex Tool Group.  "While our own facilities were not impacted by the devastation of Hurricanes Harvey or Irma, putting our tools and resources in the hands of local nonprofits will help accelerate clean up and restoration efforts.  Our donations, combined with the efforts of many volunteers, will help restore these communities as quickly as possible.  Our thoughts are with all who have been impacted by these catastrophic events." 

In Houston, as soon as floodwaters receded "thousands of volunteers began using our tool inventory to clean up, repair, and rebuild neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Harvey," said Erika Hornsey, Executive Director, Houston Community ToolBank.  Apex Tool Group's donation – approximately $110,000 in tools - will "ensure that even more community groups can help residents get back on their feet from the storm's devastation." 

Next week, Atlanta-based ToolBank USA will also receive an equal donation of demolition and construction tools to be used by its mobile relief efforts in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma.  "After natural disasters, we send a semi-trailer of tools and equipment to affected areas.  Once on the ground, we spend weeks partnering with local qualified nonprofits and their volunteers," said ToolBank USA CEO Alan Harrison.  "The need in Florida is huge, and this donation will allow us to assist people and communities we might otherwise not reach, but who need help now.  We are grateful for Apex Tool Group's assistance."

Additionally, on September 1, Apex Tool Group opened the doors to its 350,000 square foot currently unused warehouse in Garland, Texas, allowing disaster services nonprofit Trusted World to take over the facility for a herculean "sort, store, stage and ship effort for Hurricane Harvey victims," said Michael Garrett, CEO, Trusted World.  "Apex Tool Group donated the use of its space and utilities to give Trusted World one of the largest disaster staging sites in our history, now bustling with hundreds of Dallas-Fort Worth volunteers managing deliveries, inventory, and shipments bound for areas directly hit by Hurricane Harvey."

About Apex Tool Group LLC

Apex Tool Group, LLC, based in Sparks, Maryland, manufactures leading hand tool brands including GEARWRENCH®, Crescent®, Wiss®, and Lufkin® and is one of the largest worldwide producers of industrial hand and power tools, tool storage, drill chucks, chain, and electronic soldering products. Apex serves a multitude of global markets, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, hardware, industrial, and consumer retail.  Learn more at www.apextoolgroup.com.

About Houston Community ToolBank

The Houston Community ToolBank is a nonprofit tool lending program serving other nonprofits (and disaster response groups) by putting high-quality tools in the hands of thousands of volunteers who are leading recovery efforts, repairing homes/roofs, restoring public spaces, and more.  This 501c3 nonprofit works to guarantee that every volunteer is equipped with the tools they need to get the job done.  Learn more at www.houstontoolbank.org.

About ToolBank USA

ToolBank USA establishes ToolBanks around the U.S. and provides support to these affiliates who improve their communities by equipping volunteers with tools.  This 501c3 organization delivers high-quality tools to nonprofits and their volunteers. Based on the successful Atlanta Community ToolBank, each ToolBank transforms their community through the lending of tools to charitable organizations.  Learn more at www.toolbankusa.org.

About Trusted World

Trusted World is a non-profit organization committed to providing the best resources, for free, to people or organizations that are providing services on someone else's behalf. Trusted World is a global organization working to connect supply with need. In the U.S., we work with local agencies to provide the supplies needed to ensure their clients receive what they need to live and work in their community. Learn more at trustedworld.org.

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SOURCE Apex Tool Group