Kawasaki Kick-Starts Employee Donations Drive with $200,000 Contribution to Hurricane Katrina Relief

IRVINE, Calif.--Sept. 8, 2005--Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) today announced an employee donation drive in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort that reaches workers at the various Kawasaki companies operating in the United States. Under the banner of "Kawasaki Cares 2005," each of the companies will match, dollar-for-dollar, unlimited employee contributions made through Sept. 30. All funds raised are to be given to the American Red Cross for distribution in the disaster zone, as that organization deems appropriate.

Helping to kick-start the fund-raising efforts, KHI made an initial donation of $150,000 while the Kawasaki Good Times Foundation contributed $50,000. The company is also advising the American Red Cross that it is making available MULE(TM) utility vehicles, valued at $100,000, to support the efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

According to Kawasaki executives, many employees approached the company to request a matching program similar to that which was implemented following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, when the company and its employees raised nearly $300,000. Given the special circumstances of the tragedy in the gulf states, Kawasaki felt the inclusion of their unique, maneuverable utility vehicles was an appropriate addition to the contributions package.