Kenwood
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
British kitchen brand best known for its Chef stand mixers.
There's no proof Kenwood pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Better-graded appliances
Graded higher than Kenwood, selling the same kinds of things.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and India, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Kenwood names some of the countries it makes in: China. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Modern slavery statement
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
Research notes Kenwood says all its Chef stand mixers are made in China in De'Longhi Group factories; it does not name the countries that make its other appliances. The group has six household appliance plants of its own (one in Italy, three in Romania, two in China) and uses contract makers for the rest; it publishes no supplier list or production shares. Group audits follow SA8000 criteria, mainly at Chinese finished-product suppliers, but results are not published, and Kenwood's UK statement dates from 2019. The supplier wage policy refers to legal minimums, with no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Kenwood Limited publishes a UK modern slavery statement covering the De'Longhi Group; the version online is dated September 2019 and gives no audit numbers or findings. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | De'Longhi Australia Pty Ltd, which sells Kenwood in Australia, has lodged modern slavery statements, including one for the year to 30 June 2020 naming Kenwood as a main brand. View |
Unconfirmed reports
Credible reports that haven't been confirmed by a regulator, completed investigation or the company. They're shown for your information and don't affect the grade.
- Workers at parent De'Longhi's Jucu factory in Romania said strikers were pressured to sign resignation letters after a wildcat strike in late 2016; the report does not concern Kenwood products specifically (worker solidarity call on libcom.org, 2017). Source
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- De'Longhi SpA - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Kenwood is a De'Longhi brand; parent scored 15.4/100 on a China supply chain environmental index (2026).
- Solidarity call by Romanian De'Longhi workers (libcom.org, 2017) · search the archive · Jucu workers say strikers were made to sign resignation letters after a late-2016 strike.
Published by Kenwood or its owner
- Kenwood FAQ: Where is the Chef made? · search the archive · Kenwood is a De'Longhi brand; parent scored 15.4/100 on a China supply chain environmental index (2026).
- Kenwood Limited Modern Slavery Statement · search the archive · Kenwood Limited statement signed 24 September 2019; group plants plus third parties; no audit numbers or findings.
- De'Longhi Australia Modern Slavery Statement FY2020 · search the archive · Kenwood a main brand; own plants make about 60% of sales, rest from OEMs; 50 SA8000-based audits; wages per local law.
- De'Longhi Group Annual Financial Report 2025 · search the archive · Household plants in Italy (1), Romania (3) and China (2); partners also make and assemble products.
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Kenwood ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/kenwood, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Kenwood.