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MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT 2022
“Our purpose to Create Urban Freedom for Happier Lives is so much more than a product philosophy; it guides our ethics and values. Yet “Freedom” of any kind is superficial whilst slavery still exists. We must do all we can to protect those who bring our bikes to life”
Louisa Holbrook – Head of Sustainability, Brompton Bicycle
Brompton Bicycle Limited, an introduction
As the UK’s largest bike manufacturer, we are proud to employee over 750 employees across 10 countries. 90% of which call our Factory, in Greenford West London, home. Our creative teams design, manufacture, sell and lease folding bikes and associated accessories.
Our supply chains
Creating the Brompton Bicycle is a team effort and impossible without our extended global supply chains. This includes companies who supply Brompton with raw materials, parts, and finished goods, as well as those who provide services such as agency workers and professional organisations.
What is Modern Slavery:
40 million people are estimated to be trapped in Modern Slavery worldwide. Modern Slavery can take many forms of coerced labour, from human trafficking to child labour. You can learn more about Modern slavery here.
Brompton’s position:
At Brompton, we believe that everyone, everywhere, has the right to a life free from slavery. But a statement alone won’t protect people, therefore we must take action.
Our Policies:
Brompton’s Ethical Code of Conduct sets out Brompton’s expectations for human rights and covers topics such as minimum wages, Health and Safety and the prevention of slavery and human trafficking. Our Code of Conduct is based on the fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and is applicable to all supply chain partners including agencies and contractors.
Taiwan is our largest sourcing country outside of the UK. To understand regional differences and help communicate this policy globally we commissioned a gap analysis between our Code of Conduct and Taiwan local laws and legislations (2021).
Understanding risks and opportunities:
In 2021 we developed Brompton’s Ethical Trade audit programme to assess Supplier’s performance against our Code of Conduct and used third party auditors to visit new suppliers. Post audit reports and continuous improvement plans helped us make informed supplier selection decisions. To date, our identified risks have related to Health and Safety improvements and improving document control.
For those individuals based closer to Brompton such as Brompton employees, contractors, and agency workers, we provide a confidential whistleblowing hotline to escalate or identify any concern.
Training and capacity building
In 2021/22 we partnered with a human rights specialist consultancy to run several employee training programmes, raising awareness of Modern Slavery and Human trafficking. In 2022 6 Brompton employees completed a Social Systems Lead Auditor Training course, building expertise, and allowing Brompton to conduct our own supplier audits.
What's next?
We will continue to increase the number of onsite Ethical Trade audits to build our understanding of labour conditions. We will continue to train employees and have commissioned bespoke training for our suppliers.
Legally we have to share this update, but we also want to!
Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires businesses, like Brompton, to produce an annual Modern Slavery statement and this constitutes the Brompton Bicycle Limited Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for financial year 2021/22. This disclosure has been approved by our Directors & Senior Management Team.
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Will Butler Adams
CEO Brompton Bicycle Limited