Responsibilities

Operating with the utmost integrity…

We have been guided by the values and responsibilities passed down the generations. This means dealing honestly not just with customers, suppliers, partners but our own people and community too, generating trust and peace of mind throughout our worldwide network. 

 

It’s important we continue along this journey operating within a strict framework of quality and regulatory compliance, one that respects our supply chain, respects people, animals and the environment recognising that they are all crucial to our continued success.  

 

We have always been duty bound to reduce our negative environmental impact adopting good environmental practices and operate in a sustainable manner, thereby preserving the planet’s natural resources and continual improvement of our environmental performance is a fundamental part of our future business strategy and operating processes.  

 

The business ensures traceability as it sources its raw material using sustainable methods preserving the environment and ensuring we meet the highest animal welfare standards. Wholly supporting and complying with or exceeding the requirements of the current environmental legislation and codes of practice

Sustainability

The fundamentals of Seal International

Ensuring our fibres are fully traceable and sustainable…

We consider sustainability to be a key parameter for a strong business by integrating it into our business practices. We ensure that our fibres are sustainable by having full traceability when sourcing our raw material using certified sustainable methods with our trusted partners throughout our supply chain.   

  

Our policy is rooted in an approach complying with the fundamental principles of animal welfare adhering to the five freedoms as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Supporting our supply chains right back to their source, developing partnerships, and improving operating conditions for the long term. Our responsibilities extend from sustainable industrial practices within our mill to offering customers peace of mind in terms of quality, traceability, and sustainability.  

  

We are fully certified to the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS), an international voluntary standard to provide the industry with a global benchmark.  

We are also ‘Gold’ members of the Sustainable Fibres Alliance (SFA) a global multi-stakeholder initiative to encourage the adoption of responsible production practices that minimize environmental impact, safeguard herder livelihood and meet high animal welfare standards. The Sustainable fibres Alliance standard offers a globally recognised credible sustainable standard that allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to transforming the cashmere sector and make credible claims about the sustainability of their cashmere products.  

The key criteria for all these organisations include: 

ANIMAL WELFARE – The Five Freedoms of animals are protected at all times, referencing standards and best practices around the world.  

LAND MANAGEMENT – Progressive methods of land management are practiced on farms, protecting soil health, biodiversity and native species.   

CHAIN OF CUSTODY – Certification ensures that the identity of the fibre is always maintained: from the farm to the final product. 

Environment

Minimising our impact

Ensuring our processes use the cleanest technologies…

We wholly support and comply with or exceed the requirements of the current environmental legislation and codes of practice including ISO14001 Waste management and Energy management.  

 

Throughout our mill and manufacturing processes we seek to minimise our impact controlling energy resources, selecting the cleanest technologies in our production processes and waste management to minimise our consumption of natural resources, especially where they are non-renewable. 

 

Our environmental objectives reinforce our commitment to:

 

Comply with or exceed the requirements of current environmental legislation and codes of practice applicable to each element of our business process. 

Minimise energy and water usage in our buildings and processes to conserve supplies and minimise our consumption of natural resources.

Assess the environmental impact of new processes or products before implementation. 

Energy saving technologies are prioritised when making new equipment purchases.  

Monitor business travel and consider tele or video-conferencing alternatives. 

Positive engagement with all our employees to encourage environmental awareness, knowledge and participation. 

Apply the principles of continuous improvement in respect of air, steam, water, noise and light pollution from our premises, to reduce environmental impacts. 

Use electronic communications where possible to reduce the use of paper. 

Reduce the use of single use plastics and eliminate where possible.  

Corporate & Social Responsibility

Providing a lasting legacy

Looking after all those within and around our community…

We take responsibility for creating wider benefits both within and around our business and endeavor to make our impact a positive one, which improves the lives of others and reduces the risk of harm to people and their environment. We are fully committed to adding value to the communities within which we work, fostering relationships through sourcing local labour, equipment and materials where possible.

 

Looking after our people

We recognise that people are our most valuable asset ensuring that we carry out our operations in a manner that safeguards their health, welfare and safety of employees. Their performance is the key to the quality of service we provide and through investing in our recruitment, apprentice schemes, training and development of employees we will retain the best possible talent. We adopt best practice HR and training to be an employer of choice in the local area.  

 

Health & Safety and Quality

We are committed to creating and maintaining working environments and operational practices that safeguard the health, welfare and safety of our employees, supply chain and visitors to our premises. We are striving at all levels to establish ‘injury-free’ workplaces. As well as the health and safety of our staff, the quality of our products is of the utmost importance. That is why our business has ISO 9001 Certification. 

 

Business Conduct

As a business we focus on maintaining a strong and competent service, working with customers, suppliers, sub-contractors, and our workforce fairly and ethically. The Business’s reputation dictates a high level of quality, robust management systems and safe working environments. It is our goal to safely complete all projects on time within budget and to the required quality. 

 

Supply Chain Management

We only employ suppliers and sub-contractors whose ethics and values are aligned to that of our own. We will maintain strong working relationships and standards by consistently meeting agreed payment terms and evaluating services provided.  

 

Customer Satisfaction

Through excellent planning, employing quality people, and a commitment to innovation we understand, meet, and exceed the needs and expectations of our customers.  

 

Modern Slavery

We are fully committed ensuring there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business and acting with integrity in all our business relationships. 

 

We continue to review and update our policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that our reputation and integrity and our brand is not compromised.