Company Directory - L.L.Bean, Inc.
Company Details - L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc.
WebsiteFreeport, United States
L.L.Bean is an American retailer renowned for its high-quality outdoor equipment, clothing, and home goods. The company has built a reputation for exceptional customer service and durable, well-crafted products that support an active outdoor lifestyle since its founding in 1912.
CCI Score
CCI Score: L.L.Bean, Inc.
0.08
0.01%
Latest Event
L.L.Bean Ethical and Labor Practices Concerns
The article highlights significant ethical shortcomings at L.L.Bean, including inadequate oversight of labor practices in its international supply chain, reported use of underpaid workers, and potential involvement in slave labor. These issues call into question the company’s commitment to fair labor practices and ethical sourcing.
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OBJECTOR
L.L.Bean, Inc. is currently rated as an Objector.
Latest Events
- APR232023
The article highlights significant ethical shortcomings at L.L.Bean, including inadequate oversight of labor practices in its international supply chain, reported use of underpaid workers, and potential involvement in slave labor. These issues call into question the company’s commitment to fair labor practices and ethical sourcing.
-50
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 24
The article reports that L.L.Bean relies on manufacturing in overseas factories with documented cases of underpayment and potential slave labor practices. This highlights serious lapses in upholding labor rights and fair human resource practices, marking a significant ethical failing in their operations.
-50
Supply Chain Ethics
March 24
The article underscores L.L.Bean's failure to provide verifiable proof of ethical standards in its supply chain management. The lack of transparent oversight in sourcing and production—particularly in factories abroad—raises concerns about the company’s accountability and its potential complicity in broader unethical labor practices.
- SEP222020
L.L. Bean has publicly stated that its global compliance programs and auditor oversight extend to every factory producing L.L. Bean–branded products, including vendors in regions associated with forced labor concerns such as Xinjiang. The company is actively collaborating with industry peers to ensure its supply chain meets high ethical standards.
+70
Supply Chain Ethics
April 4
Amid growing evidence of forced labor in Xinjiang, L.L. Bean's acknowledgment of a vendor sourcing cotton from the region and its statement on robust global compliance demonstrate a proactive measure to combat unethical labor practices. This effort supports worker rights and ethical supply chain management, aligning with anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist principles.
Major brands try to determine if cotton in their clothes is from Uighur forced labor in China
- AUG012020
L.L.Bean confirmed its exit from the Xinjiang region in August 2020, removing all Chinese cotton from its product assortment in response to activist calls to combat forced labor abuses in the area.
+80
Supply Chain Ethics
March 24
L.L.Bean's decision to exit the Xinjiang supply chain by removing all Chinese cotton represents a proactive measure to avoid complicity in forced labor practices. By aligning its sourcing standards with ethical norms and acting on activist concerns, the company shows a commitment to responsible business practices and human rights, which counters authoritarian and exploitative supply chain dynamics.
Activists Call on Retailers to Pledge Not to Work in Xinjiang Region ...
- JAN012020
L.L.Bean's supplier page prominently details a strict forced labor policy and associated sustainable and fair labor practices. This proactive statement underscores the company's commitment to ethical supply chain management and the protection of workers' rights.
+85
Supply Chain Ethics
October 1
L.L.Bean clearly outlines its forced labor policy and emphasizes ethical sourcing on its suppliers page. This policy, which strictly prohibits forced labor, reflects strong corporate responsibility in supply chain ethics and a commitment to uphold international labor standards.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
October 1
The content emphasizes fair treatment of all individuals involved in the production process. The company's commitment to healthy working conditions and respect for international labor standards highlights robust labor relations and human rights practices.
- JUL012017
L.L.Bean issued a detailed anti-trafficking statement outlining their policies and rigorous auditing of their supply chain to prevent slavery and human trafficking, demonstrating a commitment to ethical supply chain practices and labor rights.
+90
Supply Chain Ethics
March 24
L.L.Bean has implemented a robust code of conduct that explicitly prohibits human trafficking and slavery in its supply chain. The company conducts regular, risk-based audits of its suppliers and terminates relationships with non-compliant factories, a practice that strongly aligns with ethical supply chain management and supports human rights.
+85
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 24
Beyond their supply chain audits, L.L.Bean emphasizes internal accountability and training for employees involved in supply chain management, ensuring that human rights are safeguarded and that any suspected violations, such as forced labor, are promptly addressed.
- JUL012017
L.L. Bean released a PDF statement detailing its strict policies and procedures to eradicate slavery and human trafficking in its supply chain. The document outlines mandatory risk assessments, unannounced and announced audits of factories, and immediate termination of relationships with vendors found in violation, reflecting the company’s commitment to upholding human rights and ethical supply chain standards.
+70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 4
The document explicitly outlines L.L. Bean's measures to prevent human trafficking and slavery within its supply chain, including regular audits and stringent consequences for violations. These actions promote improved labor relations and uphold human rights, yielding a positive anti-fascist impact.
+70
Supply Chain Ethics
April 4
L.L. Bean demonstrates strong commitment to ethical supply chain practices by enforcing a comprehensive audit program and contractual obligations with suppliers to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. These measures align with anti-fascist principles by safeguarding human rights and ensuring corporate accountability.
- MAR072017
On March 7, 2017, controversy arose when the FEC questioned last-minute expenditures by the pro-Donald Trump super PAC, Making Maine Great Again, which is linked to L.L. Bean heiress Linda Bean. The article details corrected donation amounts, her documented conservative positions including opposition to gay rights and abortion, and a subsequent boycott call by activist groups, raising concerns about her influence on the company’s political image.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 4
The article highlights that Linda Bean, a board member and heiress, donated to a pro-Trump super PAC with initially misreported donation amounts. This political contribution, linked to questionable reporting and support of a far-right agenda, negatively impacts the company's public political behavior.
-30
Executive Political Engagement
April 4
Linda Bean's active involvement on the board, coupled with her conservative stances and association with a pro-Trump PAC, demonstrates executive political engagement that could undermine the company’s claim of political neutrality. This raises concerns about potential influence over corporate decisions in ways that support far-right ideologies.
- JAN122017
A controversy erupted after board member Linda Bean’s support for a Trump-friendly PAC came under fire, putting pressure on L.L. Bean’s claim of being apolitical. While company leadership publicly disavows political endorsements, the involvement of a key family member in partisan contributions highlights a troubling intersection of corporate identity and authoritarian political influence.
-40
Public and Political Behavior
March 24
Despite L.L. Bean’s clear statement of non-involvement in political endorsements and contributions, the incident involving board member Linda Bean supporting a Trump-friendly PAC undermines that stance. This association indirectly fuels political divisiveness and supports authoritarian elements, as seen through the backlash and even President Trump’s politicized response. The company’s attempt to disavow any political bias is compromised by family involvement, raising questions about its overall public and political behavior.
L.L. Bean: 'No Political Endorsements or Contributions. Period.'
- JAN122017
The controversy erupted after Linda Bean, an heiress and long-time board member of L.L.Bean, made a significant donation to a political action committee supporting Donald Trump. The act, widely publicized following a Trump tweet of thanks, led to customer backlash and boycott calls, raising questions about the company's indirect support of authoritarian political agendas.
-60
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 24
Linda Bean's donation to a Trump-supporting political action committee represents a direct financial contribution that aligns with far-right, authoritarian policies. This contribution, coming from a key company family member and board member, has contributed to perceptions of corporate complicity in supporting an authoritarian agenda.
L.L.Bean Embroiled in Spat Over Donation to Trump - NBC News
-20
Executive Political Engagement
March 24
Linda Bean’s active political engagement, as evidenced by her donation and subsequent public defense of her actions on national media, highlights the involvement of corporate leadership in politics. This behavior, although framed as personal support, indirectly promotes authoritarian figures and undermines principles of corporate neutrality in political affairs.
L.L.Bean Embroiled in Spat Over Donation to Trump - NBC News
- JAN122017
The controversy emerged when Linda Bean, a board member and granddaughter of the founder, donated $60,000 to the pro-Trump Making American Great PAC. This political contribution has drawn calls for a boycott from anti-authoritarian groups, questioning the company's claimed political neutrality.
-30
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 24
Linda Bean's donation to a Trump-supporting political action committee links L.L.Bean, by association, to far-right funding, which may bolster authoritarian agendas. Despite the company's official stance of neutrality, this political contribution has raised concerns among anti-fascist groups regarding corporate complicity in supporting authoritarian causes.
- JAN122017
In January 2017, controversies erupted when L.L.Bean board member Linda Bean made an illegal $30,000 political contribution to a Trump super PAC, which was publicly highlighted by President-elect Donald Trump's tweet. Although the company later stated that it remains apolitical, the incident raised serious questions about its involvement in political funding and ethical business practices.
-40
Public and Political Behavior
March 24
The incident reflects a significant lapse in public and political behavior. The illegal donation by a board member, followed by Trump's politically charged endorsement tweet, intensified scrutiny on L.L.Bean's indirect alignment with far-right views, despite its later claims of political neutrality.
Business PR And Politics: How Will Trump's 'Endorsement' Affect L.L. Bean?
-10
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 24
The political contribution that exceeded legal limits underscores ethical lapses in business practices and responsibility. Despite the company's prompt statement distancing itself from political involvement, the incident raises concerns about internal controls and the impact on its reputation.
Business PR And Politics: How Will Trump's 'Endorsement' Affect L.L. Bean?
- JAN122017
Following a donation by Linda Bean, a long-time board member and family heiress, to a Trump-supporting political action committee—and a subsequent supportive tweet from President-elect Donald Trump—customers called for a boycott of L.L. Bean. The company later emphasized that it remains politically neutral and does not engage in political contributions.
-80
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 4
Linda Bean’s donation to a Trump-favoring PAC, given her influential role in the company’s leadership, is seen as endorsing policies linked to authoritarian politics. This act has directly spurred public outrage and boycott calls, reflecting problematic political contributions.
L.L.Bean Embroiled in Spat Over Donation to Trump - NBC News
-60
Executive Political Engagement
April 4
The public political engagement is further underscored by President-elect Trump's tweet thanking Linda Bean, an influential figure, which implies an endorsement that aligns with authoritarian politics. This involvement contributes to the overall negative perception of the company’s indirect political engagement.
L.L.Bean Embroiled in Spat Over Donation to Trump - NBC News
- JAN102017
In response to accusations tied to a family member's support for a Trump-friendly PAC, L.L. Bean’s board chairman issued an open letter clarifying that the company does not endorse any political agenda. The statement emphasized the firm's longstanding commitment to community causes and a diverse spectrum of political views.
+40
Executive Political Engagement
April 4
The company's board chairman actively countered claims linking L.L. Bean to Trump by publicly disavowing any political affiliation and clarifying that a single family member's personal political support does not represent the corporate stance. This transparent and principled response supports non-authoritarian values and reinforces separation between private opinions and corporate identity.
L.L. Bean Reacts to Accusations of Supporting Donald Trump - LL Bean ...
- JAN062017
LL Bean heiress and board member Linda Bean contributed excessive funds to a pro-Trump PAC, raising questions about the company's indirect role in supporting authoritarian-leaning policies.
-70
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 24
The article details that Linda Bean, a prominent heiress and board member of L.L.Bean, made excessive contributions ($60,000) to a political action committee in support of Donald Trump, far exceeding standard contribution limits. This political engagement, despite the company's public claim of neutrality, may indirectly support authoritarian politics and is concerning from a public and political behavior perspective.
- JAN062017
Linda Bean, an L.L. Bean heiress and board member, made excessive contributions to a PAC supporting President-elect Donald Trump, triggering potential FEC punitive action and raising concerns about the involvement of company insiders in far-right political financing.
-80
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 4
The excessive political contribution to a pro-Trump PAC directly supports an authoritarian-leaning agenda. Given that the contribution far exceeded legal limits for individual donations, this action, facilitated by a board member, indicates a concerning alignment with far-right political interests.
-70
Executive Political Engagement
April 4
As a board member, Linda Bean's involvement intensifies the political implications of her financial actions, suggesting that company leadership may be complicit in promoting far-right political agendas, further undermining ethical governance.
- JAN012012
In 2012, the owner of L.L. Bean authored a letter comparing former President Obama to Hitler while urging Maine Republicans to support Mitt Romney over Ron Paul. The letter, later highlighted following an endorsement from Donald Trump, reflects extreme rhetoric aligned with far‐right political ideologies.
-80
Executive Political Engagement
April 4
The letter by the L.L. Bean owner compared Obama to Hitler, employing inflammatory language that aligns with far-right authoritarian rhetoric. The subsequent endorsement by Donald Trump further suggests the executive's political engagement supports extremist viewpoints, which undermines democratic values and worker rights.
Donald Trump Endorsed L.L.Bean Owner Who Compared Obama To Hitler
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