Hardscape understands that in order to lead the way in new and innovative hard landscape materials it must source the toughest, strongest, aesthetically pleasing materials that the earth can deliver.

Being at the source of natural stone involves prolonged field trips to identify quarry sources and their available rock beds whilst completing due diligence with a Geologist mindset. It also involves a thorough inspection of factory production processes.

Such a field trip was recently led by our Geologist-educated MD, Mathew Haslam, assisted by our Ethical Trade Manager and logistician, Glenn Bradley. From the sandstone regions of Rajasthan state in India through to the granite regions of Fujian and Shandong provinces in China they both covered almost 19129 miles by aeroplane, train, car and in some places camel!

While the early stages of monsoon stormed in, the pair were undaunted in locating new and exciting sandstone materials from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh; while the humidity of China reached 95% they located new granite materials from the provinces of China. Throughout all sites, training was given to Supply Chain staff as Mathew and Glenn explained, demonstrated and practiced Hardscape’s QMS together with standard requirements regarding acceptable block, factory fabrication, packaging of materials and loading for shipping.

They visited a new factory site in Jaipur. The site has been constructed with input from the ETI’s Alok Singh and Vijay Jain with regard to facilities for workers and Glenn was able to provide our staff with specific training on “No Discrimination is Practiced” further enabling Dalit people to feel welcome and to integrate fully in our supply chain workforce. Ajab, who over 11 years ago was one of our Stone Masons, was recently promoted to a Manager after moving to the new site from Bijolia.

At Hardscape we understand that for our clients to meet the mandatory lawful requirements of the Modern Slavery Act, and in particular section 54 of the act with regard “ethical transparency”, that our Company must be able to evidence for our customers a demonstrable ethical supply chain. That, coupled with the UN Sustainable Development Goals which were adopted by the UK & Irish Governments in 2015 for achievement by 2030 and the UN Guiding Principles for Business & Human Rights which advance respect for the human rights of workers in supply chains by 2022, means that supply chain transparency is the new Green credential.

Hardscape meet the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act and our statement on same can be found at the Modern Slave Act Registry.

At all quarry and factory process locations it was explained and demonstrated to the workers directly what exactly the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code and the UNGPs means for them in their daily living at work. In addition practical demonstrations were provided on packaging and all things logistical.

Our next field trips are already planned for late November and February 2018 – we are always at the source of our materials as a Geology-led Company.

From quarry to site: Ethically-sourced, manufactured and delivered natural stone – because together everyone achieves more! Watch this space on some exciting new material trends!