Sullair pink compressor raises thousands for charity

The one-of-a-kind, pink 185 Series Tier 4 Final portable air compressor from Sullair, Michigan City, Ind., raised $32,500 in the ARA Foundation Charity Auction. Texas First Rentals of Cibolo, Texas, purchased the pink compressor, which became the highest bid item in the history of the ARA Foundation Charity Auction.

In addition to raising funds for the ARA Foundation, Sullair is making a separate charitable donation to Susan G. Komen® Chicago to support breast cancer awareness and research. Sullair will donate a combined $21,000 to the organization. The company is donating $10,000 and 11 authorized Sullair distributors teamed up to donate an additional $11,000.

The late Ed McMorrow of Peerless Energy Systems, an Omaha, Neb.-based authorized Sullair distributor, rallied Sullair channel partners to team up and support the efforts for Susan G. Komen Chicago. The 11 participating distributors include Peerless Energy Systems; Brabazon Pump, Compressor & Vacuum; Diversified Air Systems; AIRITE; Metro Air Compressor; Blake & Pendleton; Air Compressor Energy Systems; Air Capital Equipment; CompressAir; Blackhawk Equipment; and Comairco.

“What was most gratifying throughout this campaign was the sense of community created — with our employees, our channel partners, and our neighbors,” said John Randall, president and CEO, Sullair. “Many employees and channel partners were deeply touched and motivated to join in the cause. We are proud to know this record-setting item will directly benefit both the ARA Foundation and Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research.”

Beth White Carona, executive director, Susan G. Komen Chicago, added, “This is corporate social responsibility in action. We are so proud to be a part of the incredible partnership we’ve been able to forge with Sullair this year. The money raised by Sullair, its employees and channel partners will stay in our local communities and will impact your families, neighbors and community. This generous donation will work to ensure everyone has equitable access to the care and resources they deserve.”

Before the compressor was shipped to The ARA Show™ 2021 in Las Vegas, Sullair held a signing event at its Michigan City campus. Employees signed the unit with names and notes of encouragement for those fighting breast cancer and memories in honor of those who lost their battle.

The pink canopy was manufactured in-house in the new Sullair Michigan City-based fabrication shop with pink powder coat paint donated by PPG. Sullair then cut, bent, powder-coated, assembled, and installed the pink canopy onto the compressor. The pink compressor is powered by a 49-hp Perkins 404F-E22T diesel engine and delivers 185 cfm of air at 100 psi.