(PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. - 7 avril 2011) - Japan-based Rinnai Corporation, manufacturer of the No. 1 selling brand of tankless water heaters in North America, announced today that it is donating more than $1,5 million in financial aid and product to help individuals affected by Japan’s recent earthquake and resulting tsunami. While Rinnai’s manufacturing facilities, which are located in central Japan, were not damaged by the disaster, the company felt a need to help those in northern Japan who were not as fortunate. Rinnai’s donation includes a $600 000 cash contribution to the Japanese Red Cross as well as $1 million worth of various Rinnai® cooking and heating appliances, which are being shipped directly to select evacuation centers for immediate use.

“As a Japanese company, Rinnai is acutely aware of the devastation that the March 11 earthquake has caused and understands it may take years to fully recover from such a tragedy,” said Rinnai America’s Vice President of Marketing Brad Sweet. “It is our hope that Rinnai’s financial and product donations will give comfort to the thousands of people whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the disaster by helping to provide them with hot showers, warm food and clean clothes -- essential elements of day-to-day life that most people take for granted.”

As the largest gas appliance producer in Japan, Rinnai’s product donations include a wide variety of gas appliances such as the company’s tankless water heating units and direct vent wall furnaces, which are available in North America. In addition, several products that are not sold in North America, such as Rinnai gas stoves, ovens, dishwashers and clothing dryers also are being distributed to the evacuation centers.

“While we are extremely thankful for the safety of our employees in Japan, we know that the impact of this disaster is far-reaching, and many of our associates have family and friends who’ve been directly affected,” added Sweet. “We are proud to support Japan and its people as they navigate through this very trying time, and our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods to this tragedy.”

Founded in 1920, Rinnai is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan and currently employs more than 3 500 Japanese associates. For more information about Rinnai, visit www.rinnai.us.