OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Home Credit, a global provider of consumer finance, and its sister company SOTIO, a biotech research firm, donated 60,000 KN95 respirator masks and 70,000 disposable surgical masks to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, as well as 20,000 masks to both healthcare facilities and employees in the Kansas City area. The donations were made to assist to help allay the urgent need for personal protective equipment in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both companies are part of PPF Group, an international investment group hailing from the Czech Republic.
While medical equipment is not core to either company’s business, Home Credit and SOTIO leveraged their existing global supply chains to acquire and distribute personal protective equipment to areas around the world in most need.
KN95 Disposable Masks are non-allergenic barriers against dangerous pollutants and viruses that tightly fit the face and filter airborne particles. Surgical masks are fluid-resistant, disposable, and loose-fitting devices that create a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and the immediate environment.
Massachusetts is where one of the main research sites of SOTIO is located and it has strong connections to the local medical community. The equipment was provided to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in Boston and was then distributed to area hospitals.
“As an organization, we quickly understood the importance of PPE in helping contain the risk and protecting our healthcare workers and there would be significant challenges in delivering available inventory to areas of need,” said Jason Dyro, CEO, Home Credit US. “Our goal with our donation was to leverage our global network to fill the short-term gap because we knew we could hit the ground running while the greater healthcare system worked to provide adequate supplies around the country.”
Home Credit’s own donation of 20,000 masks was made to both healthcare facilities and employees in the Kansas City area where their US office is based.
“Protecting our employees and their families during this time is crucial,” said Dyro. “We’re fortunate and proud that we were able to offer them PPE, alongside our donation to our local medical providers.”
The donations were part of a global initiative by Home Credit’s parent company, PPF Group, which provided supplies to communities where they conduct business in its major markets in Central and Eastern Europe, India, and South and South-east Asia. PPF’s total contribution equates to 6.9 million respirators and surgical masks, 30,000 testing swabs, 570,000 pairs of medical gloves, and thousands of medical goggles and thermometers.
“We regard helping others as part of our civic responsibility and health, family and freedom are the most valuable assets that we have,” said Petr Kellner, PPF founder and majority shareholder. “Help and solidarity are the pillars of humanity, and it is a responsibility of each one of us to pursue them, and not only at times of crises.”
About Home Credit
Home Credit is a leading global consumer finance provider, and the world’s biggest lending platform. It focuses on responsible lending primarily to people with little or no credit history, enabling them to borrow easily and safely, both online and offline. Its services are simple, easy and fast. Home Credit’s major shareholder is PPF Group, an international investment group rooted in the Czech Republic, owning assets exceeding USD 53 billion (as at 30 June 2019). PPF holds a 91.12% stake in Home Credit.
