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Organisation

This modern slavery statement applies to Wire Belt Company Limited (referred to in this statement as ‘the Company’). The information included in the statement refers to the financial year ending 31st December 2021.

Organisational structure

Wire Belt Company Limited is a worldwide leader in metal conveyor belt manufacturing, operating from a purpose-built factory located on Castle Road, Eurolink Industrial Centre, Sittingbourne, Kent, where all employees are based. The Company is controlled by a Board of Directors.

The main activity carried out by the Company is the manufacture and sale of metal conveyor belts and conveyors to suit specific client applications and improve process efficiencies. The Company provides conveyor belts for industries such as Food Processing, Pharma, Electronics, Automotive, and more. Our first-class Customer Service and global presence means we can provide fast and simple distribution around the world. Demand for our product is consistently high throughout the year and is therefore not seasonal.

The labour supplied to the Company in pursuance of its operation is carried out in the factory based in Sittingbourne.

Definitions

The Company considers that modern slavery encompasses: 

  • human trafficking
  • forced work, through mental or physical threat
  • being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse of the threat of abuse
  • being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property
  • being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.

Commitment

The Company acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Company understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its internal practices in relation to its labour force and, additionally, its supply chains.

The Company does not enter into business with any other Company, in the United Kingdom or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

No labour provided to the Company in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. The Company strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in England.

Company employees are offered a competitive remuneration package and the Company prides itself on the additional benefits it is able to offer its employees on a wide variety of platforms. It conducts staff surveys on an anonymous basis to give employees a voice on their individual employment, their department and The Company as appropriate. 

Potential exposure

In general, the Company considers its exposure to slavery/human trafficking to be relatively limited. Nonetheless, it has taken steps to ensure that such practices do not take place in its business nor the business of any organisation that supplies goods and/or services to it.

Supply chains

In order to fulfil its activities, the main supply chains of the Company include those related to the supply of wire and parts from various suppliers. We understand that the Company’s first-tier suppliers are in some cases intermediary traders and therefore have further contractual relationships with lower-tier suppliers.

Steps

The Company carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its Company or supply chains.

The Company has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another Company which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.

In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Company has taken the following steps to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place: 

  • The Company operates a preferred suppliers list and reviews it’s supply chain to identify and assess the potential risks in its supply chain. In the event that the supplier is, or is suspected, to be involved in modern slaver, their contract will be terminated
  • The Company operates a whistleblowing policy so that all employees know they can raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals.
  • Recruitment and Selection, The Company ensures appropriate controls are in place to ensure employees have the right to work and are therefore protected by employment legislation.  This includes checking right to work documents, visas and passports.  The Company do not employ individuals who are considered to be child workers. Young and inexperienced workers may be employed or given work experience, but they are subject to rights and protections. 

Key performance indicators

The Company has set the following key performance indicators to measure its effectiveness in ensuring modern slavery is not taking place in the Company or its supply chains.

  • To ensure effectiveness in combatting modern slavery, The Company maintains an accurate supplier list including contact details. It will ensure action is taken in response to reports of modern slavery in its supply chains and any complaints made via the whistleblowing policy will be responded to in accordance with the policy.

Slavery Compliance

All concerns regarding modern slavery should be addressed to the HR department, who will then undertake relevant action with regard to the Company’s obligations. 

This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2010 and will be reviewed for each financial year.