Alco Holdings had previously been recognized by Wal-Mart, Kingfisher (which operates brands including B&Q, Castorama, Brico Depot, and Screwfix)...and Target with...the International Supplier of the Year 2003...Alco’s plant in Houjie...showed a large crowd of workers confronted by police in riot gear and with dogs...Reports...stated that workers had gone on strike due to the company raising the cost of food from 140 yuan to 240 yuan per month...[I]n non-peak periods...workers earned only 400 yuan; well below what workers felt is required to survive in Dongguan...Reports also stated that between 600 and 2,000 police were sent to quell the protest...mentioning physical beatings.