Electrical manufacturers have joined other businesses from around the globe to speak out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to stop doing business in Russia.
Signify said in a press statement, “Our businesses have been discontinued in Ukraine and our absolute priority is to support our Signify teams and their families. We are keeping in daily contact with all our employees in Ukraine and monitoring their safety conditions. We are providing unrestricted financial support to our Ukraine employees and their families, based on individual circumstances. We are also supporting our Ukrainian colleagues in Poland and Hungary, many of whom are seeking to reunite with their families.
“We are deeply moved by the support given by employees of Signify Poland to organize transfers, food and accommodation for people arriving at the Ukrainian/Polish border. These colleagues are establishing a dedicated fund to support Ukrainian employees and their families living in Poland.
“The Signify Foundation is simultaneously working with the UN Refugee Agency, United Nations Population Fund, GlobalMedic and the Philips Foundation to identify the lighting needs for relief and assistance inside and outside Ukraine.
“This humanitarian issue will inevitably evolve into a developmental challenge. Signify is committed to supporting a sustainable recovery in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Our hearts are with Ukraine and the millions of people whose lives are affected by this tragedy. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder and give them support in any way we can, now and in the future.”
“After many decades of presence in Russia it’s very important for us to monitor the situation as it relates to our employees and customers there. As a global organization, we are currently reviewing the implications of the recently announced sanctions and are strictly complying with them fully.”
Signify employs almost 37,000 people of 96 nationalities.
On March 7, Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, WI, announced that the company is suspending operations and sales in Russia and Belarus, effective immediately.
“Rockwell joins the U.S. government and the global community in condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine and its citizens,” said Blake Moret, chairman & CEO of Rockwell Automation, in a press release. He said the company supports all U.S. sanctions.
“Rockwell has made a financial contribution to Project HOPE to provide humanitarian relief to refugees in Ukraine and neighboring countries and is encouraging employees to help in a variety of ways. Rockwell will match employee donations made to Project HOPE and is offering paid time off to support local volunteer efforts.
The release said sales to Russia and Belarus represent less than 0.5% of Rockwell’s total revenue, and that the company will continue to pay salaries and benefits for its roughly 30 Russian team members. Rockwell does not directly employ anyone in Ukraine or Belarus.
Siemens Energy AG was one of the first global electrical manufacturers to issue a statement. A March 2, Reuters report said the company is stopping all new business in Russia. “While we continue to review the extensive sanctions and their impact on our business, we have stopped all new business in Russia,” it said.
In its last fiscal year, Russia accounted for a low single-digit percentage share of Siemens Energy’s total sales.
ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, temporarily halted orders from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. According to a Reuters report, “As a result of supply chain disruptions and other logistics, ABB has temporarily paused the intake of new orders and all operational activity affected by shipments in and out of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.” The article also said ABB was monitoring the situation and would comply with export control and sanction laws if and when they come into force. The company does not do much business in Ukraine and said Russia accounts for around 1% to 2% of revenues.