While many western countries have moved from Russia over the recent conflict, Koch Industries is not going anywhere. The corporation has at least two factories currently operating in Russia.
Earlier in the month, Koch Industries faced media scrutiny based on their decision to continue course, despite political pressures and other companies leaving the aggressive nation.
From McDonalds to Mastercard, over 200 companies have suspended their operations in Russia in protest of the Ukrainian invasion.
Dave Robertson, who is president and COO of Koch Industries, addressed his employees in a memo on Thursday. The message was clear: Russia based glass manufacturing facilities will continue operating in large part for the benefit of their employees.
“Russian officials have threatened to punish local employees of manufacturing facilities that shut down,” Robertson wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by the Washington Examiner. “We take these threats — and our commitment to our employees — very seriously.”
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with American companies during a virtual address to Congress to pull out of the Russian market.
Koch Industries’ decision to maintain its footprint in Russia puts it at odds with many other companies of its size, with hundreds of international companies suspending their work in Russia as Western governments work, with varying degrees of intensity, to isolate Russia from the global economy.
We will keep you posted on any changes that occur.
Who gives a shit? The asshole has caused thousands of deaths and injuries. He should be killed!