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Community Engagement - And More

Praxair Korea is committed to improving its community through fulfilling its corporate social responsibility

When it comes to giving back, the people at Praxair Korea know how to get creative.

Be it through monetary donations or charitable events, and whether they’re making bread or kimchi, Praxair Korea’s staff fulfills their corporate social responsibility as an ongoing part of their work life, not a one-time event.

The way Sungbok Seo, president and CEO of Praxair Korea, sees it, it’s a good way not only to help those less privileged, but to improve teamwork within the company and even boost their image.

A provider of industrial gases, Praxair Korea was started in 1975 and today has five plants nationwide in addition to its Seoul headquarters. A main area of focus is manufacturing industrial gases for the production of semiconductors and LCDs, which is why the company’s main clients include Korea’s largest conglomerates and why global Praxair, headquartered in Connecticut of the United States, expects the Korea operation to grow.

The company has experienced annual average growth in sales volume of 10 percent for the last decade, with sales last year reaching 250 billion won ($226 million). Employment has also risen, with the total number of employees growing from 267 in 2009 to 322 this year.

Part of Praxair Korea’s strategy for success is being a socially responsible organization.

“A global company can be established and localized well when its value is acknowledged in the local regions,” Seo said.

Praxair Korea’s employees make two types of periodic monetary donations: university scholarships for low-income students and living expenses for low-income families and families with disabilities. For the scholarship donations, which began this year and will be an annual program, the company sponsors up to 50 percent of the tuition for five students a year. Programs like this help not only students struggling with rising tuitions, but the company as well.

“We choose some students because it can be linked to employment,” Seo said. “So we can attract the talent necessary for our business.”

As for the donation of living expenses for families of low-income or with disabilities, Praxair Korea employees donate funds every month to support five families and the company matches what the employees give. Total annual donations reach about 8 million won.

“This project is helpful for good relations with the labor union and provides an opportunity for employees to take part in sponsorship activities,” Seo said, explaining that the company’s labor union is active in humanitarian work.

Of course, Praxair Korea shows its goodwill in more active ways as well. Last year, more than 80 percent of the employees at the head office made kimchi for low-income families and donated kimchi-making ingredients worth about 4.9 million won.

“It was a very unique experience for me,” said Seo, adding that males in Korea typically don’t have a chance to play such an integral role in making kimchi.

Last month, the Praxair Korea staff gathered again to make food for those less privileged, but this time opted for bread instead of kimchi. They donated money for bread-making ingredients as well.

Volunteer activities not related to food also run the gamut, including sewer clean-ups and helping students with disabilities prepare for job fairs and land jobs.

How do Praxair Korea employees feel about the many and diverse opportunities to volunteer? In a word, proud, Seo said.

“They are expecting [them] and want to participate actively,” he added. “Many volunteer.”