Modern Slavery Policy

A) Organisation 

This statement applies to Case Furniture Ltd (referred to in this statement as ‘the Organisation’). The information included in the statement refers to the financial year 2024

B) Organisational structure 

Business Structure:

Case Furniture Ltd is a private limited company with a centralised office and a separate warehouse facility.

The main office, where all office-based staff work, is located at:

•        23 East Hill, London SW18 2HZ, UK.

The warehouse, where all warehouse staff are located, is situated at:

•        Case Furniture Warehouse, 30 Oakhurst Business Park, Wilberforce Way, Horsham, Sussex RH13 9RT, United Kingdom.

Divisions and Departments:

Case Furniture Ltd is organised into several key divisions and departments to streamline operations and ensure efficient management. These include:

1.      Sales Department: Responsible for managing sales operations and customer relationships.

2.      Product Development: Focuses on designing and developing new furniture products.

3.      Supply Chain: Manages the procurement of materials and oversees the supply chain operations.

4.      Logistics: Handles the distribution and delivery of products to customers.

5.      Management: Provides overall leadership and strategic direction.

6.      Bookkeeping: Manages the financial records and accounts of the company.

7.      Marketing: Develops and implements marketing strategies to promote the company's products.

8.      Web Team: Manages the company’s online presence, including the website and e-commerce operations.

Senior Management:

Case Furniture Ltd is controlled by a senior management team comprising:

•        Managing Director: Paul Newman

•        Director: Andy Mackay

•        Director: Duncan Bull

Operations and Activities:

The core activities of Case Furniture Ltd revolve around the design and manufacture of high-quality furniture. The company operates with the philosophy that good design should balance style and functionality and be accessible to everyone. The key aspects of their operations include:

•        Design and Manufacturing: Working with renowned designers and skilled manufacturers to create durable, timeless products.

•        Global Sales: Selling products directly to consumers (D2C) and to businesses (B2B) worldwide.

•        Sustainability: Emphasising the use of durable materials and rigorous testing processes to ensure products last a lifetime.

Seasonality:

The demand for Case Furniture Ltd’s products is consistent throughout the year, with no significant seasonal variations.

Location of Offices:

•        Head Office: 23 East Hill, London SW18 2HZ, UK

•        Warehouse: Case Furniture Warehouse, 30 Oakhurst Business Park, Wilberforce Way, Horsham, Sussex RH13 9RT, United Kingdom

 

C) Definitions

The Organisation 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. 

D) Commitment

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

 

The Organisation does not enter into business with any other organisation, 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 Organisation in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. The Organisation strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in United Kingdom.

 

E) Supply chains

In order to fulfil its activities, the Organisation’s main supply chains include those related to supply furniture, lighting and home accessories from various suppliers worldwide, in countries such as Thailand, China, Vietnam, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, India, UK, Portugal, Turkey and Germany. We understand that the Organisation first-tier suppliers are intermediary traders and therefore have further contractual relationships with lower-tier suppliers.

 

 

F) Potential exposure 

The Organisation considers its main exposure to the risk of slavery and human trafficking to exist in its manufacturing supply chains. This exposure is primarily due to the nature of the labour markets in certain countries where our products are manufactured. Case Furniture Ltd manufactures in the following countries:

 

•        Thailand

•        China

•        Vietnam

•        Italy

•        Lithuania

•        Poland

•        Portugal

•        Germany

•        India

•        UK

•        Turkey

 

Our main areas of concern include:

1.      Thailand, India, China, and Vietnam: These countries have been identified as having a higher risk of human rights abuses, including forced labour and inadequate labour protections. The labour-intensive manufacturing processes in these regions, combined with weaker enforcement of labour laws, increase the potential for slavery and human trafficking.

 

2.      Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and Germany: While these countries generally have stronger legal frameworks and protections against human rights violations, we still recognise the risk of exploitation, particularly in subcontracted and outsourced manufacturing processes. Vigilance is required to ensure that all workers are treated fairly and that suppliers adhere to our ethical standards.

 

To mitigate these risks, Case Furniture Ltd is committed to conducting thorough due diligence on all suppliers, implementing robust auditing processes, and fostering long-term partnerships with accredited manufacturers who share our commitment to ethical labour practices. 

 

 

G) Steps

The Organisation carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation or supply chains, including conducting a review of the controls of its suppliers.

 

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

 

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

 

•        Measures in place to identify and assess the potential risks in our supply chains;

•        Undertaking impact assessments of our services upon potential instances of slavery;

•        Periodically appoint accredited auditors 

•        Embedding a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery 

•        Reviewing our supplier contracts to include termination powers in the event that the supplier is, or is suspected, to be involved in modern slavery; 

 

 

H) Policies 

The Organisation has the following policies which further define its stance on modern slavery:

 

-        Supplier code of conduct

-        Migrant worker policy

-        Equality and diversity policy

-        Health & Safety Policy

-        Anti-Bribery Policy

 

I) Training

The Organisation provides the following training to staff to effectively implement its stance on modern slavery

 

-        Induction and company handbook

-        Anti-bribery and corruption

-        Equality, diversity and inclusion awareness and training -    Mental health awareness

 

This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.

Date of approval:   10/08/24