This statement is made on behalf of all companies within the Vista Group pursuant to s.54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The statement sets out the steps that the Vista Group has taken, and continues to take, to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain. Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. The Vista Engineering Group has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically, with integrity and transparency in all business dealings, alongside putting effective systems and controls in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within the group or our supply chains.

Our Group, Businesses, and Supply Chains

The Vista Group is a leading independent manufacturer and designer of a large range of structural building components, including Wall Ties, Metalwork, Bead and Mesh, Windposts, and Masonry Support. The group’s registered office is situated in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire (Vista Engineering), with other manufacturing facilities in Wakefield (BPC Fixings), Barnsley (GA Fixings), and distributing operations in Glasgow (Vista Scotland). Due to the varied nature of our products and target markets, the group deals with a geographically diverse range of customers and buying groups. The groups supply chains covers the supply of raw materials.

Our commitment and policies

The Vista Group acknowledges its joint responsibility in tackling modern slavery through compliance of the provision set out in the Modern Slavery Act. The group recognises that internal practices need to be continually monitored, within both our labour force and supply chains. We operate a number of internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include:

1. Modern Slavery policy – This policy sets out the organisation’s stance on modern slavery and explains how employees can identify any instances of this and where they can go for help.
2. Recruitment policy – We operate a robust recruitment policy, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all employees to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.
3. Whistleblowing policy – We operate a whistleblowing policy so that all employees know they can raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals.
4. Code of business conduct – This code explains the manner in which we behave as an organisation and how we expect our employees and suppliers to act

Our Suppliers

The Vista Group maintains a preferred supplier list. We conduct robust due diligence on all suppliers before allowing them to become a preferred supplier. This due diligence includes an online search to ensure that the organisation in question has never been convicted of offences relating to modern slavery. Our anti-slavery policy forms part of our contract with all suppliers, who in turn are required to confirm that no part of their business operations contradicts this policy. In addition to the above, as part of our contract with suppliers, we require that they confirm to us that:

• They have taken steps to eradicate modern slavery within their business
• They hold their own suppliers to account over modern slavery
• (For UK based suppliers) Thay pay their employees at least the national minimum wage/national living wage (as appropriate)
• (For international suppliers) They pay their employees any prevailing minimum wage applicable within their country of operation.

We may terminate the contract the contract at any stage if modern slavery comes to light.

Training and Guidance

The group’s board reviews its Modern Slavery Policy on a regular basis. We regularly conduct training for our procurement/buying teams so that they understand the signs of modern slavery and what to do if they suspect that it is taking place within our supply chain. Although we consider that our permanent workforce is unlikely to be, or become, victims of modern slavery or human trafficking, we are nonetheless alert to the possibility.

Our performance indicators

We will know the effectiveness of the steps that we are taking to ensure that slavery and/or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain if:

• No reports are received from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies to indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.

No modern slavery or human trafficking matters were raised within our group in 2021. Future steps to prevent Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in our Business and Supply Chain The Vista Group of companies are fully committed to continually taking steps to ensure that our own practice, as well as that of our customers and suppliers, align with the group’s compliance to the Modern Act 2015. We will continue to roll out current practices to closely monitor and measure the potential for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in our business operations. The Group’s Board of Directors are committed to opposing modern slavery in all forms and approved this statement on 10th November 2021. Philip Travis Group Managing Director