This statement is made pursuant to s.54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that Knauf Insulation Limited has taken and is continuing to take, to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain.
Slavery is an umbrella term for activities where one person obtains or holds another in compelled service. Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. Knauf Insulation Limited has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery. Modern slavery occurs throughout the UK, but due to the secret nature, many people are unaware of what it looks like, or what action can be taken should they encounter it.
We are committed to acting ethically, with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to putting effective systems and controls in place, to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within the business, or our supply chain.
Our Business
We from part of the Knauf Group, a family-owned globally leading manufacturer of building materials and construction systems. With over 300 production sites in more than 90 countries, Knauf represents innovation, quality and sustainability. We care for the people who make our products, the people who use them and the world we all depend on.
Knauf Insulation is one of the fastest growing and most respected names in insulation worldwide and are committed to helping our customers meet the increasing demand for energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings.
In the UK, Knauf has 3 manufacturing plants, in St Helens, Cwmbran and Queensferry with our UK Head Office in St Helens.
Our Internal Policies
Knauf Insulation operates through several internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business ethically and transparently. These include:
Recruitment Policy
We operate a robust recruitment policy, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all employees to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.
Reporting a Breach of Company Rules or Policies
The Whistleblowing Policy
Employees are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains. If an employee suspects any employee, regardless of their seniority, or the Company of committing a serious breach of this policy, they have a duty to report their concerns to a director and should do so without delay. The information will be treated in confidence.
The Speak Up Policy
Launched in 2023, the speak up policy is offered to all employees and former employees to raise concerns in confidence and without any retaliation.
Our Employee Handbook and Knauf Group Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct)
These explain the manner in which we behave as an organisation, the rules we all follow, the policies we have in place and how we expect our employees and businesses to act.
External Policies and Suppliers
Knauf Insulation will never knowingly tolerate slavery or forced labour. During 2024, we have not been made aware of any allegations of modern slavery activities against any of our suppliers, but if we were, then we would act immediately and where appropriate, work with our supplier and any necessary authorities to rectify the situation.
We continue to have a complex supply chain providing services and goods to our UK manufacturing sites; most of our suppliers are based in the UK, but some operate from other parts of the world including mainland Europe and the USA.
We continue to maintain and develop tools and processes to identify and mitigate any risk of instances of slavery or human trafficking occurring in our supply chain, some of these are outlined below.
Supplier Code of Conduct
Our Supplier Code of Conduct for existing and prospective suppliers sets out, amongst other requirements, expected standards of working conditions for staff employed by the supplier – including free choice of employment, no child labour, remuneration and benefits, hours of work and non-discrimination.
Preferred supplier list
We follow a defined on-boarding process for any new suppliers and due diligence is carried out. Before and after allowing them to become a preferred Knauf Insulation supplier. This due diligence can include desk or field-based audits, self-disclosure questionnaires and collation of any accreditations and standards held. Plus, their own company policy for Modern Slavery where applicable.
Trading arrangements
In our latest standard Terms of Purchase and Supply Agreement, the company reserves the right to terminate a supplier contract at any time should any instances of modern slavery become known.
As part of Knauf Insulation’s trading arrangements, new and existing suppliers are required to demonstrate that:
Relevant Memberships and Accreditations
Knauf Insulation is a voluntary member of SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), and a member of the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
All our production facilities are certified for four of the most important International Management Standards: ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 50001 (Energy Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management).
BES6001 accreditation and Responsible Sourcing Policy
Knauf Insulation holds the BES6001 Accreditation for all glass and rock mineral wool products manufactured at our three UK manufacturing facilities, which was supported by and helped to develop the Responsible Sourcing Policy.
Training on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking during 2024
We have a dedicated member of the procurement team to keep up to date with legislation and manage the communication of key policies in relation to modern slavery.
Whistleblowing and Modern Slavery helpline posters have been placed in communal areas and noticed boards across the four UK sites.
Notifications in relation to Knauf and the part we all play in the reporting of instances was published via our internal communication platforms.
We reached out to our key raw materials suppliers to ensure up to date accreditation documentation is in place.
Plans for combating Slavery and Human Trafficking during 2025
We will continue to develop and inform anti-slavery initiatives into our business, existing supply chain and new suppliers during 2025. Initiatives will include:
Neil Hargreaves - Managing Director