Atlas Copco’s Water for All Organization Donates $60K to charity: water as part of Celebration of Atlas Copco Group’s 140th Anniversary

NEW YORK (Feb. 21, 2013) – Atlas Copco North America’s employee-run Water for All organization is donating $60,000 to New York City based charity: water, a global non-profit dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Today’s donation, in celebration of Atlas Copco Group’s 140th anniversary, brings Atlas Copco North America’s total charity: water giving to $161,000 since 2010.

"charity: water is incredibly grateful to Atlas Copco's Water for All program and their most recent gift to help bring clean water to the people of Ethiopia, including two schools and one community water project. Achieving 140 years of business success is no small feat, and we're honored that they've chosen to celebrate this anniversary in a way that will truly make a difference," said charity: water's Founder and CEO, Scott Harrison.

According to the charity: water website, diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Additionally, women and children often walk miles every day to collect contaminated drinking water, keeping them from school, work or taking care of their families. However, every one dollar invested in clean drinking and sanitation projects yields $4-$12 for the local economy, depending on the project.

Atlas Copco’s employee-run Water for All organization raises money to support projects and organizations that provide people in need with access to safe, clean water and sanitation. The program has more than 4,000 members worldwide with local organizations in 19 countries. The Water for All organization partners with non-political, non-profit aid organizations, such as charity: water, and donations enable partners to dig, drill and protect natural wells and fund rain water collection systems and basic sanitation. Since the organization’s founding in 1984, Water for All has helped over one million people gain access to clean drinking water.

“Water for All has remained close to the heart of Atlas Copco since its founding by employees in 1984,” said Jim Levitt, president of Atlas Copco North America. “We are proud of our employees’ ongoing efforts to raise money and awareness, which allows us to support worthy organizations like charity: water and also reinforces our commitment to sustainability.”

The Water for All organization is just one example of Atlas Copco Group’s commitment to global sustainability. The company also views sustainability as an opportunity to drive product innovation. For 140 years Atlas Copco has been committed to developing leading-edge technology, while incorporating environmentally and socially sustainable practices. As a result, Atlas Copco has been named among the Top 100 most sustainable companies in the world, is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and has been recognized by Forbes , Thomson-Reuters and Newsweek , among others, for its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
 
 
Atlas Copco is an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. With innovative products and services, Atlas Copco delivers solutions for sustainable productivity. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 170 countries. In 2012, Atlas Copco had 39 800 employees and revenues of BSEK 90.5 (approximately BUSD 14.2). Learn more at www.atlascopco.com .
 
Atlas Copco North America operates 109 locations and employs more than 4,700 people in the United States. The business unit earned $2.8B in revenue in 2012 or approximately one-fifth of the company’s overall revenue. Learn more at www.atlascopco.us .