Due to the current circumstances Guardian Industries has decided to exit its Russian assets.
The company is currently working with the Guardian Steklo (the Russian branch of Guardian Glass) management to find an exit strategy that ensures employees’ safety, maintains continued operations, and fulfilment of plants obligations.
The company’s Russian plants are operating as usual.
Dave Robertson, President and COO of Koch Industries (owner of Guardian Glass), in an email sent to Koch employees, said, “Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine earlier this year, I’ve kept you apprised of our response given that Guardian Glass has approximately 600 employees at its two glass plants in Russia. Our primary focus has been on the safety of employees.
“Sanctions announced in early April, combined with the Russian government’s response and other actions, have made conditions untenable for Guardian to continue operations in Russia. As a result, Guardian asked its Russian employees to shut down the two glass plants. When made aware of this plan, Russian authorities repeated earlier warnings that local Guardian employees would violate Russian law and be prosecuted and imprisoned if they followed through with any shut-down activities, further reinforcing our concerns for employees’ safety.
“Therefore, Guardian is working with its local management team to find an exit strategy that maintains our commitment to employees’ safety and does not result in the Russian government taking over the plants and financially benefiting from them. All other Koch companies, none with operating assets in Russia, have ended or are ending business activities there.
“As a company and as individuals, we have consistently condemned Russia’s action and remain united in support of all employees and others who are harmed by this terrible war.”