Cafes, tea and coffee
Bettys was founded in 1919, Taylors in 1886, and the two companies merged in 1962. Owned by the Frederick family for 4 generations. Taylors of Harrogate is the number 1 roast & ground coffee brand in the UK.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jul 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Bettys & Taylors Group Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
Rainforest Alliance honouree
In 2017 the Rainforest Alliance presented this company a Corporate Sustainability Champions award, which recognizes companies who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to sustainability, improving livelihoods, and conserving forests all around the world.
Source: Rainforest Alliance
(2017)
Workers rights in India
A 2015 investigation by the BBC has found workers on Indian tea plantations who pick tea for this company are paid less than £2 per day and live in inhuman conditions. Living and working conditions are so bad, and wages so low, that tea workers and their families are left malnourished and vulnerable to fatal illnesses. There was also a disregard for health and safety, with workers spraying chemicals without protection, and on some estates, child labour being used.
Source: BBC
(2015)
Rainforest Alliance certified products
This company sells Rainforest Alliance certified coffee. However this only represents a fraction of this company's total tea sales. Rainforest Alliance certification has been dubbed 'Fairtrade light' by critics, as it offers producers no minimum price for their crop, and guarantees a minimum of just 30% of the product is certified.
Source: Rainforest Alliance
(2022)
Protecting forests in Peru and Kenya
This company has been working with the Rainforest Foundation UK since 2009 helping raise money for conservation projects in Peru and Kenya.
Source: United Bank of Carbon
(2015)
Ethical Tea Partnership member
The Ethical Tea Partnership was formed in 1997 when a number of major tea companies committed to working together to improve the social and environmental conditions in their supply chains.
Source: Ethical Tea Partnership
(2024)
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website in the areas of responsible sourcing, environment and community support.
Source: company website
(2015)
Sustainability story
This company's sustainability efforts and achievements are discussed at length in this 2017 article.
Source: GreenBiz
(2017)
Sedex member
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex
(2018)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website
(2018)
BHRRC company profile
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre digital platform presents news and allegations relating to the human rights impact of over 20,000 companies. Their enhanced Company Dashboards also include financial information, key data points based on corporate policies, and scores from prominent civil society benchmarks. Follow the link and use the search function to view this company's dashboard.
Source: BHRRC
(2022)
Company Details
Type:
Family-owned private company
Employees:
1,400
(2015)