This statement is pursuant of section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015, and it sets out steps that Chandlers (Farm Equipment) Ltd are taking to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not present in any part of our business, or supply chains.
We are a family company established in 1935 trading from sixteen depots based in the counties of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Monmouthshire. We retail a full line of agricultural machinery, horticultural and groundscare machinery, along with road vehicles; for which we have aftersales service and parts departments, and we also run country stores at six of our sites selling a wide range of complimentary rural, equine and pet products.
We are totally opposed to and have a zero tolerance of slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to acting ethically, with integrity and transparency in all of our business dealings, and relationships, and to implementing effective systems to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within either our own business, or our suppliers’ businesses. In line with other major UK companies we have assessed risk relating to human trafficking and forced labour associated with our supply base. Our assessment is based upon geography, the commodity purchased and supplier quality performance. We sell high quality brand name premium products from reputable suppliers predominantly in the UK, EU and USA who uphold the same principles. As such have assessed all of these suppliers as very low risk, and therefore we do not presently consider that there is a need to conduct external audits on our suppliers and their factories. We are however committed to the continual improvement of our processes to effectively combat any concerns that may arise.
Our approach to slavery and human trafficking will be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter.
All new employees are interviewed in person and original identity documents are checked before work commences. Payments are made to bank accounts in the employee’s own name and not a third party (where this is not possible it is only if approved by a director), and we endeavour to establish if there has been any third-party involvement.
The Company encourages anyone who has concern or suspicion of modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business, or our supply chain, to raise this with either the Accountant or Managing Director. Our slavery and human trafficking policies are communicated to all members of staff and is communicated to all new members. Our purchasing team have been trained on their increased responsibilities and how to recognise typical signs that modern slavery may exist in a supplier
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-slavery-training-resource-page/modern-slavery-training-resource-page
The statement will be reviewed by the Board of Directors on an annual basis and may be amended from time to time. This statement was approved by the Board of Directors on the date below.
During the previous 12 months to the end of December 2024 (and at all times prior to this) no concerns have been raised with regard to suspicion of modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business or that of any of our suppliers. Our business activities have remained consistent and the board are satisfied that our policy and monitoring is thorough and would identify areas of concern if they existed that would then be investigated thoroughly.
Gavin Pell
Managing Director
Chandlers (Farm Equipment) Ltd