Key Takeaways:
- Grenfell United and TV architect George Clarke are calling for a boycott of companies criticized in the Grenfell inquiry for "systematic dishonesty"
- The companies in question, Arconic, Kingspan, and Celotex, have been accused of manipulating testing processes, misrepresenting test data, and misleading the market
- Clarke has personally made the decision to not use products from these companies in his projects and is urging others to do the same
- The companies deny any wrongdoing, but have been found to have acted with "deeply entrenched and persistent dishonesty" and "complete disregard for fire safety"
- The boycott is seen as a moral decision, with Clarke stating that people have to make their own moral judgment in light of the inquiry’s findings
Introduction to the Boycott
The Grenfell United group and TV architect George Clarke are calling on businesses and homeowners to take a "moral decision" and boycott the companies criticized in the Grenfell inquiry for "systematic dishonesty". Clarke, known for his series George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, has made the decision to not use products from Arconic, Kingspan, and Celotex, three companies that were heavily criticized in the findings of the Grenfell inquiry published last year. These companies have continued to deny wrongdoing, despite the inquiry’s findings. Clarke has also reached out to his associates and friends in the industry, urging them to join him in boycotting these companies.
The Grenfell Inquiry Findings
The public inquiry into the Grenfell fire, which killed 72 people in 2017, found that Arconic, Kingspan, and Celotex had behaved with "systematic dishonesty" and had engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to manipulate the testing processes, misrepresent test data, and mislead the market. Arconic, which made the plastic-filled cladding panels that were the main cause of the fire’s spread, was found to have deliberately and dishonestly concealed the true position of its product from the market. Kingspan, which made about 5% of the combustible foam insulation on the block, was found to have acted with "deeply entrenched and persistent dishonesty" in pursuit of commercial gain, coupled with a complete disregard for fire safety. Celotex, which made most of the combustible foam insulation, was found to have embarked on a dishonest scheme to mislead its customers and the wider market.
The Call to Action
Ed Daffarn, a resident of the tower block and a member of Grenfell United, is urging anyone involved in the construction or housing sector to join the boycott. "I would call on any architect, designer, procurement manager in construction or the housing sector, any landlord who’s got to meet the energy performance certificates, or even if you’re just insulating your loft – do not use these companies," he said. Clarke also emphasized that there are plenty of alternative insulation and cladding companies available, and that the three companies he is boycotting have become "the default suppliers" in the industry. He finds it "staggering" that many in the construction industry are still not fully aware of which companies were implicated in the inquiry and how.
The Companies’ Response
The three companies have denied any wrongdoing, despite the inquiry’s findings. A spokesperson for Arconic said that the company "was a core participant in the public inquiry into the fire and fully supports efforts to better regulate the UK construction industry and improve safety". Kingspan has previously stated that it "has long acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business" and that it has "emphatically addressed these issues". Celotex has also stated that it has "reviewed and improved process controls, quality management and the approach to marketing within the Celotex business to meet industry best practice". However, Clarke and Grenfell United remain unconvinced, and are urging others to join them in boycotting these companies.
The Importance of Moral Decision-Making
Clarke emphasized that the decision to boycott these companies is a moral one, and that people have to make their own moral judgment in light of the inquiry’s findings. "We can all sit around and wait for criminal proceedings to happen, and we need to do that. We’ve got to follow due process. But the inquiry proved those companies were dishonest, so people have to make their own moral judgment," he said. He also expressed his surprise and dismay that many in the construction industry seem to be carrying on as usual, despite the inquiry’s findings. "Even after all of those deaths, after all the publicity, after the damning inquiry, the acknowledgment by government, it still amazes me that in the industry, people have gone, let’s just carry on. Morally, I find that really unacceptable. I couldn’t live with it, and I’m surprised that other companies do," he said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the boycott of Arconic, Kingspan, and Celotex is a call to action for businesses and homeowners to take a moral stance against companies that have been found to have acted with "systematic dishonesty" and a "complete disregard for fire safety". The Grenfell inquiry’s findings are a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and morality in the construction industry. By joining the boycott, individuals and companies can send a strong message that they will not support companies that prioritize profits over people’s lives. As Clarke said, "It doesn’t matter whether you’re building a huge government project, whether you’re refurbishing a tower block, or whether you’re doing a small-scale extension on the back of your house, don’t use their products."
