The Chemical Business Association (CBA) has chosen the 2M Group of Companies as its Community Interaction Award winner this year.
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2M Holdings Ltd: Modern Slavery Policy Statement – October 2016
Modern slavery is a crime resulting in an abhorrent abuse of the human rights of vulnerable workers. It can take various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.
The 2M Group has a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all of its business dealings and relationships. 2M Group companies are implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within either its own business or in any of its supply chains, consistent with its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
2M expects the same high standards from all of its staff, suppliers, contractors and other business partners and expects that their suppliers will in turn apply the same standards along their supply chains.
Action Taken/To be Taken
As a group purchasing speciality chemical products from a number of countries around the world, transparency from the manufacturers of these products and subsequent supply chains is vital in our fight against Modern Slavery. It is within these supply chains that there may be a risk of slavery and human trafficking.
2M accepts that it has a responsibility through its own due diligence processes to ensure that employees are not being exploited, are not subjected to poor labour practices, that they are safe and that relevant employment, health and safety and human rights laws and standards are being adhered to, including freedom of movement and communications.
As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk the 2M Group is currently undertaking a review of its procedures to ensure there is no slavery or trafficking in its supply chain and its own business and will ensure that it has in place, employment contracts which make specific reference to the prohibition of Modern Slavery , appropriate and relevant company policies including a Health and Safety and Social Accountability Policy and guidelines to demonstrate its commitment to safe, lawful and ethical standards with its own employees.
2M will ensure that questionnaires are sent to supply chains to ascertain what ethical trading practices are in place. This is to be further developed to include a statement specifically requesting a commitment to anti-slavery and human trafficking.
Where a 2M Group company uses a 3rd party employment agency for overseas employees, they shall ensure employment is not subject to modern slavery and all health and safety and human rights laws and standards are being adhered to.
As we are committed to ensuring the group’s compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 the effect of our procedures will be monitored by way of audit where it is warranted.
Responsibility for the Policy
The 2M Group Compliance Director, David Dalton, will have overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy complies with the Group’s legal and ethical obligations.
Purchasing Departments are responsible for monitoring supply chain compliance with ethical, anti-slavery and human trafficking policies. The Purchasing Director and company senior management are responsible for investigating allegations of modern slavery within the Company’s supply chain.
Training and communication
As part of 2M’s commitment to ensure compliance with their obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 the 2M Modern Slavery Policy will be circulated to all staff. Training will also be conducted so that staff are aware of how to identify exploitation and modern slavery and how to report suspected cases.
2M’s zero tolerance approach to modern slavery will also be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and other business partners when entering into new or renewed contracts with them.
This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our group’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the current financial year.
Mottie Kessler
Chairman/CEO
2016 A Trail Blazing Year for 2M STEM career outreach programme

2M has been praised for its efforts in 2016 to make careers in STEM a possibility for even more pupils, students and graduates
2M’s Subsidiary, Surfachem, win International Business of the year 2016
On the 29th of September 2M’s subsidiary, Surfachem were crowned ‘International Business of the year’ by the Yorkshire Asian Business Association’s (YABA). International Business of the year acknowledges the strategy behind expanding into new international markets, sales achieved, new product development, and an innovative approaches to international sales. The award was presented in recognition of Surfachem’s continued development with Asian based suppliers and customers, a goal that is mirrored throughout 2M Holdings.
“On behalf of the Surfachem team I was very proud and honoured to accept this award” said Dr Richard Smith, Managing Director of Surfachem.

The International Business Award was awarded to Surfachem on September 29th 2016
About Surfachem
Surfachem, a 2M Holdings Ltd Company, are a chemical distributor working in partnership with market-leading manufacturers including Shell, Stepan, Evonik, Lubrizol, PQ Silicas, Gulbrandsen and Givaudan.
They offer an extensive portfolio of speciality chemicals over a broad range of market sectors that includes Personal Care, Home Care, Industrial & Institutional and Pharmaceuticals.
Surfachem have a growing international presence with customers in over 65 countries and teams in the UK, Brazil, Poland, Nordics and Benelux. Surfachem provide exceptional technical formulation & application knowledge and logistic expertise to deliver chemistry for a better life.
2M STEM Graduate nominated for Industry Award
As part of the 2M STEM Outreach programme, Surfachem’s 2M Subsidiary has been supporting Science students and graduates to gain access to a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
We are delighted that one of 2M’s Science graduates, Joseph Gregson, working in the Surfachem subsidiary, has been short-listed for a Yorkshire Chemical Focus (YCF) “Graduate of the Year” Award 2016.
Continue Reading2M Supports STEM for young people’s employment, with EY
2M’s subsidiary, Surfachem, hosted six school students in our laboratory at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield. The students were all participants on the EY Foundation Smart Futures programme.
Continue Reading2M wins award for helping young people access STEM careers
2M is proud to be presented with the ‘Highly Commended’ award by the Chemical Business Association for the ‘Community Interaction Awards’ at the 2016 Annual Ceremony.
The commendation was given for our efforts to help young people access Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers.
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A message from Mottie Kessler, Chairman and CEO of 2M Holdings about the UK’s vote to leave the EU
24 June 2016, London
Dear Customers, Suppliers and Colleagues,
While the UK has chosen to leave the European Union, we at 2M Holdings, an international group headquartered in the UK, will continue with Business as Usual.
We are running a business which provides added value to our customers and suppliers. Our business is science based, successful, sustainable, ethical and provides equal opportunities to all.
We will continue to serve all our customers and suppliers in the same way and to collaborate with our partners across the world.
Our job is to supply the building blocks and expertise required to enable everyday life and the demand for our products remains universal.
We will continue to focus on growing our business in the UK and overseas.
With kind regards,
Mottie Kessler
Chairman and CEO of 2M Holding
2M’s subsidiary, Banner, celebrates Leading Women from the Industry in its 2nd Annual Ladies Polo Day

L-R: Theresa Randall – Kluthe, Emma Bennett, Amy Smith, Rachel Arrowsmith, Nikki Brady, Chloe Chiocchi (Banners)
Friday 20th May saw leading women from the Chemical Industry get together at Chester Race Course for the 2nd Annual Samuel Banner Ladies Polo Day. Companies from the across the UK were represented, in what has become a very popular women’s networking event.
The event was attended by leading industry figures who met to share expertise and celebrate their achievements.
Group HR Director, Liran Maller, who also attended, said: “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the women in the 2M Group and in the wider industry. This event is a chance to celebrate them and we look forward to this becoming an annual tradition.”
Before the match started, guests were taught the rules of Polo by the host for the day.
Once everyone was up to speed with the rules, it was time for the Semi Finals of the LDF International Polo Tournament to Commence.

L-R: Alex Abraitis – Chemicals Northwest, Stephanie Walker & Bev Boardman – Metalube, Nikki Brady – Banner
At half time Spectators were asked to go onto the pitch and partake in the traditional ritual of divot stomping (stomping down the turf that has been lifted by the ponies hooves)

L-R: Fakhara Jones – Surfachem & Jo Lawler – Samplerite

L-R: Sue Bradley – Banner, Phillipa Ayers – Scott Bader, Emma Bennett – Banner
Banner Guests then returned to their seats to enjoy an afternoon of hospitality, networking and Polo

L-R: Kelly Havey – XPO Logistics & Rachel Arrowsmith – Banner

L-R: Tracey Redding – Plater Chemicals & Phillipa Ayers – Scott Bader

L-R: Sarah Jane Taylor – Whitford Plastics , Andrea Goddard – Adshead Ratcliffe , Christine Foulkes – Whitford Plastics
The Day was a huge success with guests enjoying the Polo on what was a beautiful day.
2M Chosen as an official distributor in the UK for Dow Europe
2M Holdings Ltd (“2M”) is proud to have been chosen as an official distributor in the UK for Dow Europe, covering their range of specialty solvents, ethanolamine and chelates. The extensive product list includes Dow’s leading brands DOWANOL™ E-Series, P-Series as well as VERSENE ™ VERSENOL ™ and CARBOWAX ™ Poly Ethylene Glycols.
2M will distribute Dow’s products through its group of leading brand companies, predominately Banner Chemicals and Surfachem. Banner Chemicals provides services primarily to customers in paint and coating applications and Surfachem focuses on personal care, cleaning, hygiene and pharmaceuticals.
The 2M group of companies provides customers with market leading commercial and technical expertise. This includes its application laboratories, technical teams, blending, storage and samples management services.
2M’s focus is on added value supply of products and applications based on know-how from the world’s leading chemical companies.