Ethics in Natural Stone - How we Support our Supply Chain

Ethics

People are the cornerstone of any successful business. Our approach goes beyond our immediate team; extending to everyone in our supply chain. From estimators and delivery drivers through to sales and the skilled stone masons crafting our products — each person plays a crucial role.

Ethics in Action

This deep respect for people fuels our commitment to managing an ethical supply chain. We maintain a strong, loyal bond with our suppliers across the globe, recognizing that these relationships are key to enacting positive change. By working closely with our foreign partners, we strive to improve conditions for the workers who are integral to creating our products, ensuring that our success is shared and sustainable.

The business landscape has evolved significantly, with a shift towards balancing profit with people-centric values. At London Stone, as the UK's premier supplier of hard landscaping products, we've embraced this change by integrating strong ethical principles into our operations. Notable milestones include:

2009

London Stone join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) London Stone becoming the smallest company to join the Ethical Trading Initiative.

2015

London Stone join No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Supporting a project in India to establish child labour free zones.

2020

We are a Living Wage EmployerLondon Stone is a proud accredited Living Wage Employer and recently awarded our whole team an 11% pay rise to support them through the cost-of-living crisis. Additionally, we’ve reduced working hours to improve work/life balance for our team, underscoring our commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of everyone in our business and supply chains.

No Child Left Behind: Introduction

In 2015, London Stone, in collaboration with Arisa and Beltrami, joined No Child Left Behind (NCLB). NCLB was an ambitious project in Budhpura, an area pivotal in supplying Sandstone Setts to the UK and Europe.

The goal of the project was to eradicate the prevalent issue of child labour. We worked closely with Manjari, a local NGO, engaging community leaders, businesses, and parents to foster a cultural shift towards prioritizing education over child labour. Our efforts led to a remarkable transformation: thousands of children moved from work to full-time education, driving significant change in a once overlooked community. This project not only tackled child labour but also empowered the community, ensuring a brighter, more hopeful future for its children.

Learn more about this impactful initiative and its achievements here.

No Child Left Behind: Manjari, The NGO on the Ground in Budhpura

Manjari is a key NGO in Budhpura, India, significantly contributing to the Child Labour Free Zone (CLFZ) project. They maintain a continuous presence in the community, offering safe spaces and experienced guidance. Manjari has formed various community groups, including those focused on child rights, youth, and women, all instrumental in promoting child rights and achieving CLFZ goals. Notably, they have empowered women in a predominantly male society and fostered a secure environment for children's wellbeing. For more information about Manjari's impactful work, visit their website here.

No Child Left Behind: Tackling Gender Inequality

In our mission to establish Child Labour Free Zones in Budhpura, we're addressing gender inequality, a significant cultural challenge, by forming women's self-help groups. Local NGO Manjari has been pivotal in this effort, creating around 30 groups of girls aged 13-19. These groups, meeting monthly, focus on issues like menstrual health, child marriage, and career opportunities. The initiative is aimed at disrupting the cycle of child marriage and early motherhood, which curtails prospects for girls in Budhpura. We believe empowering women to play a vital role in society is crucial for sustainable change.

Supply Chain Ethics Explained

London Stone's ethical program is spearheaded by our Managing Director, Steve Walley, whose extensive experience in ethical sourcing stems from years of working with foreign supply chains. For a deeper understanding of ethics in the natural stone industry, explore this insightful Q&A with Steve, where he shares his knowledge and perspectives: Ethics Explained

Read our story

The Ethical Trading Initiative

When London Stone joined the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) in 2009, we were its smallest member. Committing to the ETI’s 9-point base code, an internationally recognized labour practice framework, was a significant step in our ethical journey. The ETI facilitated collaborations with like-minded businesses, and together with other members, we established the Rajasthan Sandstone Working Group (RSWG), focusing on positive changes in the Indian Sandstone sector. Our time in the ETI, which concluded in 2015 as we shifted our focus to the No Child Left Behind project, greatly enhanced our expertise in ethical sourcing and improved working conditions in our tier 1 factories.