HardwareEK admits fault for financial issues facing employees and business partners: ‘We are committed to fulfilling our financial obligations and regaining your trust’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareEK admits fault for financial issues facing employees and business partners: ‘We are committed to fulfilling our financial obligations and regaining your trust’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Here’s the full statement from Edvard König, EK’s CEO and founder:
Dear Community, Media, and Partners,
First of all, I would like to say that we take this very seriously. It is true that some of EK’s external contractors and business partners have experienced delayed payments. We sincerely apologize for the difficulties this has caused them and the lack of adequate communication.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our community, customers, and partners during this time. We are committed to fulfilling our financial obligations and regaining your trust. Our mission to elevate computers for a better world remains at the forefront of our focus as we move forward.
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Thank you all for standing with us as we work through these challenges, just as you have supported EK for over two decades. We are dedicated to making things right and fostering a more responsible company culture.
Update #2:In another statement toPCGN, EK says it has started an investigation into allegations of racism at the company. PCGN says it has seen screenshots of the alleged instances, and has spoken to one ex-employee about their first-hand experience with racism at the company.
“We would like to express that at EK we take all allegations very seriously, and the situation has deeply affected us. We have already started [an] internal investigation about all allegations, and we are going to act according to the results.
“EK fully supports diversity and inclusion among employees. Any actions related to discrimination such as racial, sexual, religious, political, physical or psychological violence are not tolerated in the EK working environment and any EK team member can and should report it to the HR personnel. We have policies and legal actions in place if violations happen, however we can only act if they are reported.
“The mentioned incidents were both handled internally with involved people, and actions were taken. We are encouraging all employees, current or former, that have been directly involved or have witnessed similar case[s] to make an official report about it.”
What’s not clear from the statement is whether the investigation has already concluded, and actions have been taken, or still is in the process of being investigated. The statement does not make this clear. Nor did these allegations see any reference in the EK CEO’s previous, and more widely circulated, statement.
EKWB is a well-known liquid cooling company headquartered in Slovenia, though it has US operations under EK Cooling Solutions. Dan Henderson, a previous contractor of the company’s US branch, created a post on LinkedIn on Thursday claiming they had not been paid in four months.
“I’m hoping that this message gives them the shove they need, they pay up what they owe and more importantly, gets them to rethink the culture they’ve built,” Henderson said in the post.
Gamers Nexus picked up the post and proceeded to investigate further with EK’s former and current business partners, contractors and others, none of which are named bar Henderson. The former contractor received a cease and desist letter for their post on the platform, and was ordered to pay €70,000 due to a contractual breach of NDA.
Other media partners have since cited issues working with EK. YouTuberder8auerhas said he will no longer work with the company, initially citing issues with the direct die block that he worked to create with it for Intel’s 12th and eventually 13th Gen processors. However, they suggest they will no longer do business with the company due to the recent claims covered in Gamers Nexus’ video. They do not, however, have any outstanding debts with the company for the der8auer brand, though will not speak about the Thermal Grizzly brand, of which they are the CEO.
Other media partners have cited issues when working with the company as well.
Igor from enthusiast websiteIgor’s Lab claimedhe has received the run-around from EK’s finance department in chasing money owed to him. Since publication of his article, Igor’s Lab received payment from EKWB.
Your next machine(Image credit: Future)Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
Your next machine
(Image credit: Future)Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
(Image credit: Future)
Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
In comment to Gamers Nexus, EK said “EK plans to remain in business and fully get back on its feet, hence the upcoming presence at Computex 2024, for the first time with our own booth.
“There are always two sides to the story. As for Daniel Henderson and his outreach on social media, we are sorry about his reaction. Some reasons for his vendetta are likely linked to previous management figures with whom we parted ways in February 2024. The new management distances itself from the practices of the past.”
The company’s founder, Edvard König, has assumed the role of CEO, after the previous CEO was removed around the start of the year.
We have spoken to EKWB and have been told it is preparing a statement. We’ll update this story if and when we receive it.
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