Ryder Industries Initiatives Focus on Corporate Social Responsibility in China

Initiatives meet and exceed Chinese association guidelines

for labor relations and community action

Hong Kong, March 7, 2012. Ryder Industries, LLC, a Swiss-owned developer and manufacturer of electronic products headquartered in Hong Kong, announces initiatives aimed at fostering and promoting respect, egalitarianism, harmony and initiative in its corporate culture and in that of the greater community in which it operates. At the core, these initiatives reflect the strongly held  principles of management, ‘The employees are the company’s most important asset; the company grows only when its employees grow.’

To promote these objectives, Ryder staff members have undertaken a variety of people-oriented initiatives. For example, employees have established an outreach program to support a primary school in Juang Xi province, close to the location of its manufacturing plant. After visiting the school in December 2011 to discuss needs with students and teachers, the following commitments were made to provide a better learning environment:

• Equip a state-of-the art technology lab and library with computers, books and resources in literature, arts and science.
• Establish scholarships for outstanding student achievement in both academic studies and team work.
• Provide psychological counseling courses for staff.
• Establish volunteer English teacher program.
• Organize after-school activities for students.
• Provide financial assistance and/or psychological support to students with special needs.
• Organize volunteer activities for students to help each other.
• Train school staff to organize student competitions and activities.
• Provide team-building training to enhance cohesiveness of school staff.
• Initiate an idea exchange  to stimulate English learning teaching and activities, such as ‘English corner’ and English speech competitions.

Ryder’s continued focus on the welfare of its employees has resulted in the 2011 Shenzhen Harmonious Labor Relations Award, bestowed by the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI) and the Shenzhen Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (SZAEFI).

This award requires adherence to a rigorous set of requirements, which are strictly monitored by those external associations. Award winners must meet these requirements:

• All employees must work under negotiated labor contract.
• Employees are always paid on-time, full amount.
• Zero tolerance for child labor.
• Special protection measures for female staff strictly implemented at all times.
• All technicians are well-trained and certified.
• Social insurance paid for all staff.
• No level 4 industrial injuries for one year.
• No strikes or shutdowns due to labor conflicts for one year.
• Labor unions established by law.

In addition to meeting the associations’ standards of conduct, Ryder Industries established a higher set of requirements for itself:

• Designed unique cross-level internal communication system, (”1+3 Communication and Negotiation System”), which has now been adopted by Shenzhen government entities and become the model for similar programs at other companies.
• Established comprehensive staff training programs for job-specific and company-specific education.
• Established and continue to maintain full-functioning labor conflict resolution committee.
• Established employee union committee to protect staff interests.
• Promoted corporate team building through staff social activities.

These people-oriented initiatives have made Ryder Industries one of China’s best employers, resulting in higher employee retention rates, and leading to increased customer satisfaction.

ABOUT RYDER INDUSTRIES: Ryder Industries is a privately held company headquartered in Hong Kong, with business offices in Germany and California as well as three manufacturing facilities in mainland China.  Known as Saitek until 2007, the company has for much of its history been a designer of branded products from intelligent games to computer game controls and is behind well-loved brands including Kasparov, Cyborg and Eclipse.  Ryder developed out of the expansion of Saitek’s manufacturing facilities, divesting itself of the branded products division and further developing its factories to provide EMS services to a more diversified customer base, including professional audio, smart home audio and appliances, industrial and consumer controllers and automotive electronics.

The company was started by Hong Kong Swiss entrepreneur Eric Winkler, who remains non-executive chairman.  His vision has always been to focus on technology and quality, which in his view requires a stable and well-trained workforce.  When opportunities in the PRC began to open up in the 1980s, the decision was made to set up a wholly-owned facility where employee relations would be a high priority.  This approach has paid off for the company; Ryder has received a series of awards from the Chinese authorities in recognition of its ethics, citizenship and high industrial standards, but perhaps most importantly it enjoys a strong team dynamic and high levels of employee loyalty.

For more information about Ryder Industries, go to www.ryderems.com.