Quake-Damaged Sichuan Qingquan Primary School Rebuilt With Emerson Support

Leaders from Emerson, some of its divisions, and local government officials attend the opening ceremony for the rebuilding of the Qingquan school teaching complex supported by Emerson 

Opening Ceremony for the Rebuilding of the Qingquan School Teaching Complex Supported by Emerson 

Sichuan, China, September 10, 2009 — Qingquan primary school in An County, Mianyang of Sichuan – severely damaged by the 2008 earthquake – has been rebuilt with support from Emerson (NYSE: EMR), the global technology company. Attending an opening ceremony today at the school were:  David N. Farr, chairman, CEO and president of Emerson; Sara Yang Bosco, president of Emerson Asia-Pacific; and leaders of Emerson businesses and divisions in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as local government officials from Sichuan and Mianyang. Emerson has extensive operations in China and is building a new manufacturing facility in Mianyang.

“Emerson’s contribution to the school rebuilding and other relief programs is only a small portion of the overall Sichuan rebuilding effort, however, we wanted to express our compassion and help care for the people affected by the earthquake through direct assistance,” Farr said. “While we always push ourselves to excel in technology innovation and global business operation, we never forget we are part of the communities where we operate and we have a responsibility to be good corporate citizens and great neighbors.”

On May 12, 2008, the Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake at magnitude 8 destroyed many classrooms of Qingquan School. Emerson, its divisions and employees contributed to the relief efforts in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Farr, on behalf of all Emerson employees, authorized a company donation of RMB 3 million to support the rebuilding of the school damaged by the earthquake.

Through the unremitting efforts of all parties, especially the support of the Shanghai Youth Development Foundation and the Sichuan Youth Development Foundation, the foundation stone-laying ceremony to mark the rebuilding of the Qingquan Primary School Teaching Complex was held on March 30, 2009. Today, more than 600 students are able to study in a bright, safe and comprehensive teaching facility. In addition, Emerson and its divisions donated equipment, and subsidized other living and education necessities to help the students.

Bosco said that the project is part of Emerson’s corporate social responsibility program in China, which covers education, healthcare and humanitarian assistance. The company places a high priority on helping educational institutions improve people’s lives, raise living standards and support long-term economic growth. Emerson is looking forward to working closely with Sichuan Province and Mianyang City on other community projects in future.

After the earthquake, Emerson and its employees quickly gathered donations and delivered these supplies to the affected area. Emerson also donated equipment and dispatched a team of engineers to help restore the telecom network in Sichuan. Altogether, Emerson and its employees contributed more than RMB$11 million in donations and equipment to the relief effort.

While in Mianyang, Farr met officials of the Sichuan government and visited the new Emerson Network Power manufacturing facility which is expected to be in operation in 2010.