Anti-Slavery Policy

Modern Slavery Statement

This statement is made pursuant to s.54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and sets out the steps that Alsford Timber Ltd 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.

Our Business

Alsford Timber Ltd is a Timber & Builders Merchant with a strong heritage in the supply of timber.

We have 19 customer-facing branches in the South East of England, in addition to our Head Office and production mill.

We currently procure products and services from approximately 320 suppliers.

Alsford Timber Ltd is a member of the Fortis buying group, and the majority of all purchases are made through approved Fortis supplies.

 

Our Policies

We operate a number of internal policies and practices to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include:

 
  •        Anti-Slavery

Our organisational stance on modern slavery is that this encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. Alsford Timber Ltd has a zero tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically, and 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.

 

  •        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.

 

  •        Whistleblowing Policy

We operate a whistleblowing policy so that all employees have confidence that they can raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisal.

 

  •        Our Suppliers

Alsford Timber Ltd operates a strict supplier policy and maintains a preferred supplier list. We conduct due diligence on all suppliers before allowing them to become a preferred supplier. This due diligence includes an online search to ensure that any particular organisation has never been convicted of offenses relating to modern slavery. Where practical site visits are also conducted.

As a member of the Fortis buying group, the majority of all purchases are made through approved Fortis suppliers. Fortis have their own Supplier Code of Conduct which involves carrying out a due diligence program with the aim of ensuring all approved suppliers operate in compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

 

  •        Training

We conduct training for our procurement/buying teams to ensure that they understand the signs of modern slavery, and what to do if they suspect that it is taking place within our supply chain.

 

Neil Fuller

Managing Director
Alsford