The Cosentino Group Improves Standards in the Natural Stone Industry
Cosentino Group, Spanish global leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces in the world of architecture and design, is pleased to announce that throughout 2018 the industrial complex of Cosentino Latina, located in Vitória (Brazil), has been working with TFT to ensure their operations are in line with Level 1 of TFT’s respective guidelines for extraction sites. TFT (The Forest Trust) is a non-profit organization that helps companies in the private sector transform their supply chains for the benefit of people and nature.
For the Cosentino Group, a key priority is to ensure the raw materials used in its products are extracted according to the most rigorous quality standards while respecting human rights and the environment. With this objective in mind, in 2016, Cosentino launched its project “Natural Stone Commitment by Cosentino”, which promotes the extraction and manufacturing of natural stone while conserving the environment and improving living standards for those who work in quarries and natural stone plants. Since then, the Cosentino Group, together with the TFT, has visited the Cosentino Latina Vitória processing unit, one of the largest quarries Cosentino is working with in Brazil, and the Rainbow Stone processing plant in India to ensure the objectives of the “Natural Stone Commitment by Cosentino” are met.
The primary objective of the “Natural Stone Commitment by Cosentino” project is to work over time with our supply chain to encourage human and labor rights standards to be respected and improved. This includes ensuring that:
- No child labor is used.
- There is no forced labor or bonded labor.
- Ethical criteria are included in all hiring practices.
- Workers’ health and safety is protected.
- All workers receive an employment contract.
- Wages adhere to national regulations and meet the inter-professional minimum wage.
- Working hours are not excessive and meet the legal requirements.
- Diversity within the workforce is respected.
- There is zero tolerance of harassment and abuse.
- All workers have access to legal support.
- Any accommodation provided for workers is safe and sanitary.
- The principles of freedom of association and collective bargaining are upheld.
Thanks to the “Natural Stone Commitment by Cosentino” project, Cosentino Latina Vitória (Cosentino’s industrial complex in Brazil) has demonstrated their own operations in 2018 are in line with Level 1 of TFT’s guidelines for extraction sites. Cosentino Latina Vitória is the specialist plant which creates Sensa by Cosentino®, the collection of granites and quartzites with special anti-stain protection. With facilities covering 65,000 m2, home to cutting edge technology, equipment and environmental processes for the natural stone sector, Cosentino Latina Vitoria has a daily production capacity of more than 2,500 m2 of Sensa by Cosentino® slabs and is currently the leading natural stone exporter in all of Brazil.
In 2018, thanks to the support of the Cosentino Group, the Indian natural stone supplier, Rainbow Stone Ltd, has also demonstrated that their own operations are in line with Level 1 of TFT’s guidelines for extraction sites.
Last month, Siva Reddy and Tomas Alonso, CEO and Sales Director of Rainbow Stone Ltd, respectively, visited the Cosentino headquarters in Cantoria, Almeria. They were welcomed by Santiago Alfonso, Vice President of Communications and Marketing; Valentín Tijeras, Vice President of Innovation and Products; José Simón, Purchasing Director of Natural Stone; and Manuela Marín, Product Manager for Sensa by Cosentino®.
About the Cosentino Group
The Cosentino Group is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. As a leading company, Cosentino imagines and anticipates together with its customers and partners design solutions that offer value and inspiration to people’ lives. This goal is made possible by pioneering brands that are leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces, which allow the creation of unique designs for the home and public spaces.
The group bases its development on international expansion, an innovative research and development program, respect for the environment and sustainability, and its ongoing corporate commitment to society and the local communities where it operates, education, equality and health & safety.
The Cosentino Group currently distributes its products and brands in more than 110 countries, from its headquarters in Almeria (Spain). Currently Cosentino is present in 40 countries, with its own assets in 29 of them. The group has eight factories (seven in Almería (Spain and one in Brazil), one intelligent logistic platform in Spain, and more than 120 commercial and business units throughout the world. More than 90% of Cosentino Group’s financial turnover comes from international markets. www.cosentino.com
