In the past few weeks, some 400 companies have decided to cut ties with Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine and many with Quad Cities and regional ties are on that list.
Some are closing down factories. Some are stopping shipments. Many are contributing to efforts to help Ukraine.
Here is a look at some of the regional companies and their responses to the crisis:
Amazon
The global internet-based enterprise is among the companies that have pledged to provide for the immediate needs and longer-term support for people fleeing Ukraine through its Tent Partnership for Refugees.
Amazon, which is currently constructing a robotics fulfillment center in north Davenport, announced its commitment in a Thursday, March 24 news release about its new Welcome Door program. The initiative provides refugee and humanitarian-based immigrant employees with additional resources and support, as well as reimbursement for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) fees.
Arconic
Arconic Corp., which operates Arconic Davenport Works in Riverdale, Iowa, said it was pausing new contracts in Russia. It said it would fulfill existing obligations. In addition, the Arconic Foundation is donating $300,000 to support humanitarian relief organizations aiding Ukrainians, and is matching personal donations made by Arconic employees.
Cargill, ADM
Global farm commodities traders Cargill Inc. and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. said they were scaling back business activities in Russia, but would continue to operate “essential” food facilities there.
“Food is a basic human right and should never be used as a weapon,” Cargill, a U.S.-based privately held company, said in a statement.
Cargill recently removed details on its businesses in Russia and Ukraine from its website. The site previously said Cargill employs about 2,500 people in Russia, with investments of more than $1.1 billion in agro-processing.
Caterpillar
Caterpillar said it was shutting down manufacturing facilities there amid “supply disruptions and sanctions,” with its charitable arm committing $1 million in support for Ukrainians.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events continuing to occur in Ukraine and hope for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Through the Caterpillar Foundation, we are donating more than $1 million to support both urgent and long-term needs of the Ukraine humanitarian crisis,” according to a statement from the company.
“We are complying with all applicable laws and evolving sanctions, while remaining focused on our employees, dealers and customers. Operations in Russia have become increasingly challenging, including supply chain disruptions and sanctions, and we are suspending operations in our Russian manufacturing facilities,” according to the company, which was once one of the Quad Cities biggest employers..
Deere & Co.
The Moline-based ag company has announced it is stopping shipments to Russia and Belarus.
“John Deere is deeply saddened by the significant escalation of events in Ukraine,” the company said in a statement. “The safety, welfare, and well-being of our employees in the region remains our top priority, and we continue to support and maintain close communication with our affected teams, providing necessary resources when possible. Our thoughts are with our employees, their families as well as our dealers, customers and all those impacted by this crisis.”
Deere officials added that the John Deere Foundation has been working directly with a number of organizations, including multiple United Nation (UN) agencies, to mobilize resources to support Ukrainians impacted by the crisis.
KONE
As a result of Russia’s military actions, KONE has decided to temporarily cease deliveries to Russia. KONE, whose U.S. operations include Moline and Coal Valley facilities, has also stopped signing new orders for the time being.
KONE has made a donation to the Finnish Red Cross and continues to look at all ways in which to help those affected by the war.
“Our top priority is the safety of our employees and their families in all locations affected by the war in Ukraine,” said Henrik Ehrnrooth, president and CEO of KONE Corporation, in a news release.
Kraft Heinz
The company has suspended new investments in Russia, and all exports to Russia and imports from the country “while we continue to closely assess the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. … Additionally, we have donated $1 million to the Red Cross to address the humanitarian crisis, and we’ve implemented a $2 to $1 company match for employees who wish to personally donate to the Red Cross. We have also made several in-kind donations, including our Pudliszki brand in Poland donating food products to the local Red Cross, helping feed refugees arriving from Ukraine,” according to a statement from the company which has facilities in Davenport.
3M
The global innovation company which has operations in Cordova, Illinois, said in a recent news release, “After reassessing our business in Russia, we have decided to suspend all operations there. Our focus continues to be on the safety of our colleagues and their families.
“We are committing a $2 million donation from 3Mgives to directly support relief efforts for the people of Ukraine. That is on top of the combined donations from 3Mers and 3M Foundation match, as well as the heartfelt direct donations of housing, money, and personal goods that our 3Mers have given to our colleagues in Ukraine. 3M business groups have also donated wound care and other medical supplies to doctors and medical workers assisting those in need.”
Nestlé
Nestlé, a global food company that owns Purina PetCare, has suspended all advertising and capital investments in Russia, and has suspended non-essential food exports to Russia, as well as non-essential food imports to the country.
The company, which has operations in Davenport and Clinton, Iowa, also has stepped in by donating to food banks and local charities in Ukraine. Company employees have also participated in a fundraiser in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), and those contributions will be matched by Nestlé.
“We are in close daily contact with our employees and doing all we can to ensure their safety. We are also providing them with support in the form of emergency food packages, advance salary payments, and administrative assistance and psychological support to help employees and their families who have already left or wish to leave the country,” according to a statement from the company.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank announced it will provide a $100,000 U.S. Bank Foundation donation to the Red Cross, and activate ATMs across our network for Red Cross donations supporting Ukraine humanitarian relief. U.S. Bank will also provide 2:1 matching gifts for U.S.-based employee contributions to organizations supporting Ukraine humanitarian relief efforts.
UPS, FedEx
FedEx Corp. and United Parcel Service Inc. have suspended shipments into Russia amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S.-based shipping giants had earlier cut off shipments to and from Ukraine and were preparing contingency plans for their Russian operations. Now, both have temporarily stopped delivering shipments bound for Russia. UPS said that packages enroute to Russia and Ukraine will be returned free of charge to the sender if possible.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo, with banking operations in the Quad Cities, announced $1 million in donations across three nonprofits to enable humanitarian aid for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees, as well as support services for U.S. service members and their families across the globe.
