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| July 2010 |
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Kohler Co. Supporting Efforts To Clean Birds Exposed To Gulf Oil Spill
Kohler Rental deploying temporary power and air conditioning equipment to wildliferehabilitation centers
Kohler, Wis. - July 6, 2010 – Kohler Rental, a Kohler Co. business, today announced it is providing temporary power and air conditioning services to wildlife rehabilitation centers located across several Gulf Coast States. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, established these wildlife M*A*S*H units following the Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent oil spill that has been occurring in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana since April. Included in Kohler Rental’s support effort is Fort Jackson Oiled Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, an epicenter of bird rescue and cleaning operations located in Louisiana’s fringe coastal area south of New Orleans.
Established in Buras, La., Fort Jackson Oiled Wildlife Rehabilitation Center plays a crucial role in the effort to rescue, clean and ultimately save the lives of hundreds of brown pelicans and other native bird species exposed to pools of crude oil floating on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. Helping wildlife caretakers combat the heat and humidity of a Louisiana summer, Kohler Rental has brought in portable air conditioning (AC) equipment, as well as power generators to run the AC units and power the equipment used to clean the birds. Including additional wildlife rehabilitation centers and temporary housing for volunteers and workers located in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, Kohler Rental has been called upon to deploy nearly 30 high-capacity air conditioners and power generators in support of Gulf oil spill cleanup efforts.
“The men and women rescuing, cleaning and nursing pelicans and other birds back to health in Gulf Coast states may not know Kohler Rental is onsite. And we’re not running the wildlife rescue camps. However, the people who do operate the rescue centers reached out to Kohler Rental and it’s our mission to climate control the rescue camp and deliver additional power. By providing a more comfortable working environment, Kohler Rental helps keep workers at their best throughout the countless hours spent caring for the helpless birds,” said Mike Nasif, general manager, Kohler Rental. “Kohler Rental is involved in something a lot bigger than Kohler and fortunately what we do — providing for temporary climate control and power needs — can make a difference. It has been awe-inspiring to see the passion and dedication of the people we support as they save wildlife affected by this environmental disaster.”
The Importance of Fort Jackson Oiled Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Brown pelicans and other similar bird species get oiled as they float on the surface of Gulf of Mexico waters, or when diving for fish. Once oiled, the pelicans can lose the ability to fly, dive for food or even float on the water. In some cases, an oiled bird will die of hypothermia or become ill as a result of ingesting oil while grooming themselves.
If found and rescued in a timely manner, oil-coated birds have am extremely high survival rate after receiving care at bird cleaning camps such as Fort Jackson. Upon arrival, each bird is given a physical and time to de-stress. Removing a bird’s oil-coat involves meticulous scrubbing with household dishwashing detergent, followed by a rinse and dry. Prior to being released into wildlife refuges located away from the Gulf, birds at Fort Jackson are placed in outdoor aviary pens, referred to as Pelican Island, for observation, recovery and rehabilitation.
About Kohler Global Power Group
Providing dependable power solutions in the United States since the early 1920s, Kohler Co. has evolved its Global Power Group into a worldwide organization encompassing generators, engines and rental power. The Global Power Group is comprised of Kohler Power Systems, SDMO Industries, Uninterruptible Power Supplies Ltd (UPSL), Kohler Rental Power, as well as Kohler Engines and Lombardini, Srl.
Kohler Power Systems is a global manufacturer of power generation equipment for residential, industrial, mobile and marine applications, with a power output range of 3.5 kW to 3250 kW. Based in France, SDMO Industries delivers energy solutions — industrial generators up to 2,800 kW, as well as portable generators — for markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Combined, SDMO and Kohler Power Systems create the world’s third-largest generator (gaseous-, petrol- and diesel-powered) manufacturer. Kohler also offers automatic transfer switches, switchgear, monitoring controls and accessories. UPSL is a leading uninterruptible power supply system, as well as power protection product and services provider for the United Kingdom.
Kohler Rental Power provides temporary power, HVAC, luxury restrooms, as well as complete planning, implementation and professional support to the industrial, commercial, disaster recovery and event markets throughout the United States.
Kohler Engines, along with Italy-based Lombardini, represent a global engine concern in business since the 1920s. Together, Kohler Engines and Lombardini manufacture a wide range of gasoline and diesel engines, from 4 to 64.4 hp, which are supplied to equipment manufacturers worldwide in the lawn and garden, commercial and industrial, agricultural and construction markets.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, cabinetry, tile and home interiors, and international host to award-winning hospitality and world-class golf destinations.
