Microplane
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
US maker of photo-etched graters and zesters.
There's no proof Microplane pays more than the legal minimum, which in Mexico and the United States is below a living wage.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 4 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- 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 4 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Met: Respects worker rights
- 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
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listMakes its products in its own factories
- 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 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
| Star | Awarded for |
|---|---|
| Gives workers a real voice | |
| Finds and fixes problems, or invests in communities |
Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From Microplane's own disclosure: it makes its products in its own factories. Its list covers only part of its range. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| ChinaUsual for the industry | 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.
- Owns or runs its own production
- Worker or farmer owned
Research notes Microplane's photo-etched blades are made at Grace Manufacturing's own plant in Russellville, Arkansas, and products are assembled at its own facility in Mexico. No split between the USA and Mexico is published, so no shares are shown. Some accessories may come from outside suppliers, but none are named. The company has been employee-owned through an ESOP since 2019, with shares vesting after five years. It publishes no supplier code, audit results or wage information.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Kitchenware companies are not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report (latest edition 2024). (2024 edition; latest is 2026) View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Not listed | No Business & Human Rights Resource Centre company page or stories about Microplane or Grace Manufacturing. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Microplane - Only in Arkansas · search the archive · All photo-etched blades made in Russellville; Grace Manufacturing has 300 employees, 150 in Russellville (2017)
- Microplane - Myer · search the archive · Microplane graters sold by Myer, an Australian department store chain
Published by Microplane or its owner
- About Us - Microplane · search the archive · Blades made in the USA and assembled at a Microplane-owned facility in Mexico (since 2007); employee-owned via an ESOP
- Microplane is Employee-Owned · search the archive · Employee-owned since 2019 as part of Grace Stakeholder Investments; shares fully vest after five years
- Our Company - Microplane International · search the archive · Division of Grace Manufacturing, Russellville, Arkansas; North American and European operations and a factory in Mexico
Company details
- Owned by
- Grace Manufacturing Inc. (employee-owned via an ESOP, part of Grace Stakeholder Investments)
- Headquarters
- United States
- Employees
- About 300
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Microplane ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/microplane, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Microplane.