Tower
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
British brand of air fryers, kettles and toasters.
There's no proof Tower pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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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 a hidden, unaudited supply chain 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: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From press and retailer reports; Tower doesn't say where its products are made. 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.
Research notes Tower products are made by contract suppliers overseas; a 2025 UK government recall of Tower air fryers made in 2022-23 gives China as the country of origin. Owner RKW names no factories and gives no audit results or wage information. The latest modern slavery statement on the UK registry covers 2020-21, reported no risks found and relied on audits arranged by suppliers. China is the only country confirmed, for air fryers.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | R K Wholesale Limited is covered by a Sutton Venture Group modern slavery statement, but the latest on the UK registry is for 2020-21; it reported no risks found and only supplier-arranged audits. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid does not rate small appliance or cookware makers. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Product recall: Tower air fryer (UK Office for Product Safety and Standards) · search the archive · Tower air fryers made January 2022 to April 2023 recalled; country of origin China
- Sutton Venture Group modern slavery statement summary 2021 (UK registry) · search the archive · Group statement covering R K Wholesale for 2020-21; no risks identified; only supplier-arranged audits
- RKW acquires Tower brand (Housewares Live, 2014) · search the archive · Distributor RKW took over the Tower brand from Russell Hobbs in 2014
- RKW supplier profile (BIRA) · search the archive · RKW, Stoke-on-Trent distributor and maker of small appliances; brands include Tower and Swan; offices in Hong Kong, China, India, Taiwan
- Tower Vortx Compact air fryer (McGrocer) · search the archive · UK online retailer selling Tower air fryers with delivery to Australia
- UK products delivered to Australia (McGrocer) · search the archive · McGrocer ships UK products to Australian addresses
Published by Tower or its owner
- Delivery information (Tower Housewares) · search the archive · Tower's own shop delivers only within the UK
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Tower ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/tower, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
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Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Tower.