Dr Martens
Footwear maker
Formerly R Griggs Group. Makers of the famous Dr Martens boots. Came close to bankruptcy in 2003, when it cut jobs in the UK and moved manufacturing to China. Acquired by investment firm Permira in 2013. Became a public company in 2021. The brand is operated by Accent Group in Australia and New Zealand.

Overall

Owned UK
Rating C
About the Ratings
Dr Martens plc
UK
Permira Holdings Ltd
owns 43% of Dr Martens plc
UK
Private equity firm
Founded in 1985 and has made over 250 private equity investments. Operates throughout Europe, Japan and the USA, controlling 44 billion EUR in assets.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Oct 2024)
Dr Martens plc
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
Criticism
CDP Water Security score of D
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of D.
Source: CDP (2023)
Information
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Angora ban
This company has taken angora items off the shelves and promised not to use angora again, following a PETA campaign launched in Dec 2013 which revealed the cruelty inflicted on angora rabbits in Chinese factory farms, where 90% of the world's angora is produced.
Source: PETA (2018)
Leather Working Group member
This company is a member of the Leather Working Group, a multi-stakeholder group who's objective is to develop and maintain a protocol that assesses the compliance and environmental performance of tanners and promotes sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry.
Social responsibility claims
This company has social responsibility claims on its website in the areas of ethical trade, environment (product and operations) and community support.
23/100 in What Fuels Fashion?
What Fuels Fashion? is a single-issue, special edition of the Fashion Transparency Index. The 2024 report ranked 250 of the world's largest fashion brands and retailers according to their level of disclosure on climate and energy-related data in their own operations and supply chains. Brands owned by this company scored 23%. The average score was 18% and the highest score was 75%.
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.
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.
37/100 in Ethical Fashion Report
Baptist World Aid Australia's '2024 Ethical Fashion Report' assessed 120 companies on their efforts to mitigate against the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation in their supply chains, as well as protect the environment from the harmful impacts of the fashion industry. Assessment criteria fall into five main categories: policy & governance, tracing & risk, auditing and supplier relationships, worker empowerment and environmental sustainability. This company received a score of 37/100. The average score was 31.3 and the highest score was 90.
35/100 in Fashion Transparency Index
The 2023 Fashion Transparency Index reviewed 250 of the world's largest fashion brands and retailers and ranked them according to how much they disclose about their human rights and environmental policies, practices and impacts. Brands owned by this company scored 35%, signifying it is publishing suppliers lists as well as detailed information about their policies, procedures, social and environmental goals, supplier assessment and remediation processes, and is more likely to be addressing issues such as living wages and collective bargaining. The average score was 26% and the highest score was 83%.
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Company Details

Type:
Public company
Founded:
1947
Revenue:
672 million GBP (2020)

Contact Details

Address:
Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Website:
www.drmartens.com

Products / Brands

Dr Martens / Accent Group (distributor)
Dr Martens Work Boots
Dr Martens Womens Shoes
Dr Martens Mens Shoes