ATW is serving customers, employees and community during COVID-19

At Americana Tire and Wheel (ATW) – Kenda’s distribution arm serving the North American towable trailer, utility, RV, marine and agricultural industries – we’ve been distributing more than tires, wheels and assemblies during COVID 19 – we’re dispensing added support to our employees and our surrounding communities, too.

Keeping our employees safe

While the towable trailer industry has experienced diminished demand and many operators have closed or reduced hours, ATW and Dexstar Wheel remain fully operational – dedicated to maintaining our employees throughout the pandemic. Prioritizing their health and safety, as well as that of our customers, all ATW facilities are operating within the state-mandated guidelines, providing employees with appropriate medical masks, performing facility surface sanitization and putting the most rigorous sanitation practices into action. And, our headquarters and regional staff members are operating either from the office or from home to assure the recommended six feet of social distancing while continuing to support our customers.

“Our entire organization has really stepped up during this unique time to maintain our business operations to the best of our ability,” said ­­­­­Jeff Pizzola, COO, Kenda.

Producing hand sanitizer

With hand sanitizer hard to come by nationwide, to do our part in our communities, we’re temporarily producing it. Our Kenda American Technical Center in Akron normally focuses on product design, development, testing and quality control but is now also producing hand sanitizer using the CDC’s approved formula. We’re shipping our Kenda-branded sanitizer to all ATW facilities and our associate companies for our employees and customers to help fight the spread of the virus. Plus, each shipment arrives with additional bottles of sanitizer to distribute into our local communities for firefighters, police departments, hospitals, assisted living centers and nursing homes. In total, we are giving out 30,000 bottles of hand sanitizer.

Supporting our neighbors

Where would we be without our heroic neighbors? To thank our friends on the front lines in Elkhart, IN, our employees have been dropping off much appreciated restaurant gift cards to our brave firefighters, police, nurses, doctors, and nursing home staffs in recognition of their efforts. We’re delighted this token of our gratitude simultaneously supports the local eateries that we’ve enjoyed for years.

Plus, we’re trying to combat the PPE shortage for healthcare workers. So, as a global company with wide-reaching relationships, we’ve helped out in Elkhart by securing and donating medical masks to Elkhart General Hospital.

For some of our neighbors, food is in short supply, too. Our Elkhart community food pantry helps the thousands of unemployed individuals put food on the table – to aid them in restocking, we’ve provided monetary support to Church Community Services.

“We’ve all been impacted by COVID-19 and in different ways. Between ATW and Dexstar Wheel, our goal has been to combine forces to provide support however we can to this diverse group of affected people. We are grateful to be able to offer these tokens of our appreciation and for our employees to have the opportunity to say thank you to their community,” said Dave Craig, President, Americana Tire and Wheel.

Americana Tire and Wheel

Americana Tire and Wheel (ATW), a division of global tire manufacturing leader Kenda, is its premier North American distribution arm serving original equipment manufacturers and distributors in the towable trailer, utility, RV, marine and agricultural industries. Providing quality tire, wheel and assembly solutions across a wide range of steel and aluminum wheels, ATW offers a controlled approach throughout the value chain from design, manufacturing and quality control to distribution and aftermarket service – enhancing both the performance and value of towable, utility and RV platforms. Operating four large distribution centers, ATW has become synonymous with exceptional service and superior quality products, including Kenda Loadstar tires – designed and manufactured in company-owned facilities. www.americanatire.com.

Dexstar Wheel

Dexstar Wheel, a division of global tire manufacturing leader Kenda, is its North American steel rim and wheel manufacturer serving some of the largest original equipment manufacturers and distributors in the trailer and RV industries in the world. ISO certified, Dexstar is distinguished by a long history of quality, unsurpassed service and high capacity automated state-of-art operations. At the core of its reputational and manufacturing excellence are strong engineering and technical capabilities – automation and robotics strengths along with the use of the highest quality materials to produce products superior in the industry. In Elkhart, IN, Dexstar is committed to doing the right thing the first time every time – a philosophy of continuous improvement delivered by quality people to exceed customers’ expectations. www.dexstarwheel.com

Kenda

Founded in 1962, Kenda is a global leader in tire development and manufacturing. With over 12,000 employees and factories worldwide, Kenda continues to expand product offerings in the automotive, bicycle, powersports, trailer/specialty, and wheelchair markets. Kenda takes pride in operating under the core values of honesty, innovation, quality, and customer service to provide the highest level of products and services to customers across the globe. For more information, please visit www.kendatire.com