Guardian Industries and its family of companies employ over 14,000 people in 26 countries and have bases in Rostov and Ryazan in Russia, according to its website.
However, according to a list compiled by Yale management professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and his research team, Koch Industries is one of about 30 companies described as “digging” and “defending claims” for a withdrawal or reduction of activity in Russia. Others on the list include Reebok, Cargill, Halliburton, LG Electronics and food brands like Cinnabon and Subway.
“The horrific and abortive aggression against Ukraine is an affront to humanity,” said Robertson, the executive chef. “Principles are always important, and they matter most when they are under pressure.”
Robertson said the cook “would not leave our staff there or hand over these manufacturing facilities to the Russian government so that they could operate and benefit from them.” He added: “Doing so would only put our employees at greater risk and do more harm than good.”
The company faces sanctions, he said, and will continue to provide financial assistance to employees and their families from Ukraine, along with “humanitarian aid for those affected in neighboring countries.”
In a speech to Congress on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Peace is more important than income.”
“All American companies must leave Russia … leave their market immediately because it is flooded with our blood.” He urged US lawmakers to “take the lead” and “ensure that the Russians do not receive a single penny that they use to destroy our people in Ukraine.”
The war poses a corporate quandary and tests the mettle of some of the most powerful brands in the world, as well as the long-held theory of international relations that countries that act together do not wage wars against each other.
Koch belongs to companies such as Cargill, LG Electronics and Subway, who have decided to stay in Russia. Many of these companies have issued statements expressing concerns about the conflict, but Koch is one of the few who have chosen to both remain and openly condemn the Russian government.
Koch Industries, based in Wichita, is the second largest private company in the United States and has wide operations, including in energy, chemicals and electronic technologies. It is managed and partly owned by Charles Koch, known for the millions he donated for conservative purposes with his brother David Koch, who died in 2019.
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