L&T Restaurant Equipment Inc.(“L&T”) designs and manufactures the Panda® line of commercial cooking equipment at our own facility in New York. We are committed to conducting our business lawfully and responsibly, and we believe forced labor and human trafficking have no place in our operations or in the supply chains that support them. This statement describes the steps we take in the five areas addressed by the Act.
Verification
L&T produces the Panda® line through vertically integrated, made-in-New-York manufacturing and sources a substantial share of its materials and components from suppliers based in the United States. Domestic, in-house production limits our direct exposure to the regions most commonly associated with forced labor and human trafficking. As part of selecting and continuing to work with suppliers, L&T evaluates supplier risk internally and favors established vendors with a record of lawful, ethical operation. L&T does not currently engage a third party to verify its product supply chains for these risks.
Supplier audits
L&T maintains direct, long-standing relationships with its key suppliers and reviews their quality, reliability, and conduct on an ongoing basis. If a concern about labor practices arises, L&T will investigate and may require corrective action or end the relationship. L&T does not currently conduct formal independent or unannounced audits of suppliers specifically for slavery and human trafficking, and will assess introducing a formal audit program as our supplier base grows.
Certification
L&T requires its direct suppliers to comply with all applicable laws, including the laws addressing slavery and human trafficking of the countries in which they operate. L&T may request that direct suppliers certify in writing that the materials incorporated into our products comply with those laws, and reserves the right to discontinue any supplier that cannot provide that assurance.
Internal accountability
L&T expects its employees and contractors to act lawfully and ethically. Conduct that violates the law or company policy — including any involvement in, or tolerance of, forced labor or human trafficking — is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or of the business relationship. Employees may raise concerns to L&T management without fear of retaliation.
Training
L&T operates primarily from a single New York facility with a small purchasing team that works closely with a stable supplier base. We make the personnel responsible for purchasing and supplier management aware of the risks of forced labor and human trafficking and of L&T's expectation that suppliers operate lawfully. L&T does not currently maintain a formal, dedicated training program on human trafficking, and will evaluate implementing one as our operations and supplier base expand.
Questions
Questions about this disclosure may be directed to customer@ltfse.com or (917) 204-1697.