Modern Slavery Act

Modern Slavery Act 2015 slavery and human trafficking statement

Introduction from the managing director Alan Lamont.
That slavery and human trafficking still exist in the modern world is shameful. As a company which sources forest products from some of the most vulnerable countries across the globe, Wood International Agency Ltd takes its position very seriously. The purchasing power we have allows us the opportunity to influence and guide. The need for transparency in our supply chains is paramount, and we continue to do all in our power to demonstrate that our suppliers protect their workers and work within legal frameworks.

Organisation’s structure
We are an independent UK based agency specialising in panel products which are sourced from across the globe and sold into UK, European and International markets. We are a small business located in Brentwood, Essex with 6 employees and 6 directors. We have a global annual turnover of £45 million.

Our business
Wood International Agency Ltd was established in 1977 by Mike Lamont. The company remains family run, and holds a prominent position in the panel products industry in the UK and abroad. For more information on Wood International please visit www.woodia.co.uk

Our supply chains
Wood International Agency Ltd (WIA) sources product from several countries across the globe, including but not exclusively Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Estonia, Finland Indonesia, Malaysia, Paraguay, South Africa.

Supply chains are generally short and uncomplicated, with logs travelling from the forest to the plywood mill which supplies directly to WIA. In order to meet the strict terms of the European Timber Regulation, all supply chain evidence is collected and verified. All suppliers go through a strict due diligence assessment to mitigate all risk, and XX% of the product sourced by WIA has FSC or PEFC certification.

Our policies on slavery and human trafficking
We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our Anti-slavery Policy reflects our commitment to

acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.

Due diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking
As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk we conduct annual due diligence assessments on all our suppliers. We have in place systems to:

• Identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains.
• Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains.
• Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains.
• Protect whistle blowers.

Supplier adherence to our values
We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking. To ensure all those in our supply chain and contractors comply with our values, we have in place a rigorous supply chain compliance programme. Suppliers are required to complete a self-assessment questionnaire regarding ethical trade and human rights. Additionally site visits to mills and forests are made routinely and at these meetings documented evidence will be collected to support compliance with our policies on slavery and human trafficking.
Many of the products we source are FSC or PEFC certified, and WIA are audited annually to demonstrate compliance with standards.

FSC Core Labour Requirements
We are committed to conducting our business responsibly, in accordance with applicable UK laws and regulations. We have established HR policies and procedures which are regularly reviewed to ensure they are current and effective. Our procedures encapsulated the FSC core labour requirements within this policy statement. This being the following:

Child labour
• WIA is not employing workers below the age of 15.
• No person under the age of 18 is employed in hazardous or heavy work except for the purpose of training within approved national laws and regulations.
• WIA prohibits the worst forms of child labour.

Force and compulsory labour
• Employment relationships are voluntary and based on mutual consent, without the threat of a penalty.
• There is no evidence of any practices indicative of forced or compulsory labour, including, but not limited to, the following:
– physical and sexual violence
– bonded labour
– withholding of wages /including payment of employment fees and/or payment of deposit to commence employment
– restriction of mobility/movement
– retention of passport and identity documents
– threats of denunciation to the authorities.

Discrimination in employment and occupation
• Employment and occupation practices are non-discriminatory.

Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining
• Our workers are able to establish or join worker organizations of their own choosing.
• WIA respects the full freedom of workers’ organizations to draw up their constitutions and rules.
• WIA respects the rights of workers to engage in lawful activities related to forming, joining or assisting a workers’ organization, or to refrain from doing the same, and will not discriminate or punish workers for exercising these rights.
• WIA negotiates with lawfully established workers’ organisations and/ or duly selected representatives in good faith and with the best efforts to reach a collective bargaining agreement.
• Collective bargaining agreements are implemented where they exist.

Training
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide training to our staff.

Our effectiveness in combating slavery and human trafficking
We use the following key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure how effective we have been to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of our business or supply chains

• Maintaining FSC & PEFC chain of custody certification
• Constant monitoring of certification status of suppliers
• On-going due diligence of supply chain
• Annual supplier questionnaire
• Mill and forest inspection reports

Further steps
This Modern Slavery Act statement published by Wood International Agency Ltd. Following a review of the effectiveness of the steps we will take during the 2021/22 financial year, we will make recommendations for further steps to combat slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains should this be deemed necessary.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for WIA Ltd financial year ending 30 April 2022.

Alan P Lamont, Managing Director.

Why not give us a call on 01277 232 991 or email us to discuss how we can help your business.

“We have worked with Wood International Agency Ltd for over 12 years.  We have always found them to be very professional in their approach and if any issue should arise it is always resolved swiftly.”

EDWARD JAMES
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SOUTH LONDON TIMBER LTD