Pirelli and Chinese partners donate to Italian hospitals
Italian tiremaker Pirelli donates medical equipment with the cooperation of Chinese partners which will help Italy especially Lombardy to support its hospitals amid COVID-19 outbreak.
Italian tiremaker Pirelli has secured a donation of medical equipment with the cooperation of Chinese partners which will help Italy, especially the Lombardy region, support its hospitals amid the COVID-19 epidemic.
The equipment includes 65 ventilators for intensive care therapy, 5,000 protective suits for health-care workers and 20,000 face masks. All of these supplies were sent from China to Milan.
The supplies were donated by Pirelli with the support and cooperation of China Construction Bank and Hixih Rubber Industry Group. They arrived at Milan’s Malpensa airport on Monday thanks to their joint efforts, coordinated by Lombardy councilor Davide Carlo Caprini, and the Italian Ambassador in Beijing, Luca Ferrari.
Marco Tronchetti Provera, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of Pirelli, said that “in such a moment of great difficulty, we want to stand together with our region and the country... A 'thank you' to everyone who helped us in this undertaking.”
Attilio Fontana, president of Lombardy’s regional government, said that "the race to solidarity which has been triggered in Lombardy grows ever bigger. I give particular thanks to Pirelli and Marco Tronchetti Provera for such a significant and valuable donation. These extraordinary gestures give us the strength to go forward even with the critical situations we face every day. Thank you and thank you again to everyone giving us support."
Pirelli earlier announced that it has suspended the production of tires at its Italian factories in Settimo Torinese and Bollate. The company said it adopted all measures necessary to ensure health safety and is constantly monitoring the epidemic situation.
Earlier in February, Pirelli donated 5 million yuan (US$700,000) in support of novel coronavirus relief work in China. The donation was provided through the Yanzhou Charity Federation of Jining city, Shandong Province, where one of Pirelli’s most advanced tire manufacturing facilities is located, to secure the necessary support needed to combat the virus.
Giuliano Menassi, chief executive officer of Pirelli APAC Giuliano Menassi, said: “China is very important for Pirelli. Not only do we have deeply established roots in the country where we have operated since 2005, but, more importantly, our 4,000 employees are part of our family. Pirelli will pull together and work with all sectors of society to make positive contributions. Pirelli is taking all necessary precautions and adhering to stringent healthcare protocols aimed at prevention."
Supplies donated by Pirelli with the support and cooperation of China Construction Bank and Hixih Rubber Industry Group.
