Godiva Bearings Trade-Only Ethics Charter
Godiva Bearings exists for one reason, to keep the trade moving and this Trade Only Ethics Charter sets out the standards we hold ourselves to. The Charter details the ethics behind being exclusively trade-only, the expectations we place on our supply chain, and the responsibilities we carry as one of the UK’s most trusted bearings distributors.
It protects our identity, defends our trade customers, and makes clear the lines we never cross.
Because in this industry, trust isn’t a slogan. It’s a promise.
Why a Trade-Only Ethics Charter Matters
Anyone can sell bearings. Not everyone can support the trade properly.
We operate in a market where generalist MRO suppliers blur boundaries, chase end-user sales, and undercut the very partners who keep them in business. Godiva was built as the opposite of that. Trade-only. High-stock. Direct support. No retail behaviour. No side-hustle selling. No confusion.
This charter formalises what our customers already know:
We do the right thing, even when nobody is looking.
Our Exclusively Trade-Only Standards
No End-User Sales — Ever
We don’t supply end users. We don’t encourage them. We don’t slip through the back door to chase individual sales. That is the line we draw, and the line we defend.
Our systems, training, and culture all reinforce one principle:
If you’re not part of the trade, we’re not your supplier.
This protects our customers’ margins, prevents channel conflict, and maintains trust between us and the engineers, distributors, and specialists who rely on us.
Zero Retail Behaviour
You will never see Godiva:
- Publishing consumer pricing
- Targeting DIY buyers
- Offering “cheaper alternatives” behind the trade’s back
- Undercutting customers online
- Advertising to the general public
Our business model is intentionally simple: We supply the trade, so the trade can supply everyone else.
Ethical Sourcing and Supplier Accountability
Bearings don’t work without integrity and neither does a supply chain.
We expect the manufacturers and partners we work with to follow the same ethical commitments we make to our customers. This includes labour standards, safe working conditions, responsible materials, and transparent supply routes.
If a supplier can’t meet our standard, we don’t stock them. It’s that simple.
Pricing Transparency for the Trade
Our trade pricing structure is built to support distributors — not undermine them. That means:
- No hidden mark-ups
- No artificial “special offers” to disguise inflated base costs
- Clear, consistent pricing across all trade partners
- No undercutting your ability to win work
We give every trade customer confidence that what they see is fair, stable, and aligned with industry expectations.
Predictable margins matter.
So we keep pricing honest and surprises off the table.
Stock Responsibility & Rapid Support
Ethics isn’t just about sourcing and behaviour. It’s also about reliability.
A supplier who can’t deliver is a supplier who costs the trade money.
That’s why we invest in:
- 65,000+ product lines in stock
- 24/7/365 support
- Late-night and emergency call-out availability
- Same-day and next-day dispatch options
We define ourselves by what we deliver — not what we promise.
When a line stops, someone pays. Our job is to make sure it isn’t you.
Anti-Counterfeit & Product Integrity Standards
Counterfeit bearings remain a global problem. Poor-quality components fail early, damage equipment, and erode trust across the entire supply chain.
Godiva maintains strict controls to protect the trade:
- Sourcing only from verified manufacturers
- Rejecting suppliers without full traceability
- Documenting and tracking all stock movementsInvesting in stock auditing and quality verification
If it leaves our warehouse, you know it’s genuine.
Environmental & Operational Responsibility
We support responsible waste handling, energy-efficient operations, and long-life products that reduce unnecessary replacement.
This includes:
- Recycling packaging wherever possible
- Working with environmentally responsible manufacturers
- Encouraging best-practice handling and lubrication to extend bearing life
- Improving efficiency inside our own warehouses
Being trade-focused doesn’t mean being careless.
Protecting the Trade Against Generalist MROs
Many MRO suppliers chase the trade on Monday and chase end users on Tuesday. Godiva does not.
This charter is our defence against that model.
We stand apart by:
- Drawing a hard line between trade and public
- Maintaining ethical stock practices
- Keeping prices stable and trade-only
- Supporting engineers, distributors, and buying groups exclusively
- Providing a partnership generalists can’t imitate
Our identity is our advantage. It’s why trade customers stay with us.
Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Ethics isn’t a one-off statement. It’s a continual promise.
We review:
- Supplier audits
- Operational processes
- Environmental commitments
- Trade-partner feedback
- Stock-handling standards
- Support accessibility
We are always improving how we protect the trade.
That’s the job. That’s the promise.
The Trade Only Ethics Charter — Summary
We commit to:
- Supplying trade only
- Maintaining an ethical, transparent, traceable supply chain
- Keeping pricing stable and fair
- Holding suppliers to ETI-aligned standards
- Protecting customers from end-user competition
- Providing 24/7/365 support with exceptional stock availability
- Safeguarding product authenticity and reliability
- Prioritising environmental and operational responsibility
This Charter is not marketing.
It’s the backbone of how we work — and how we protect the businesses that trust us.
Need clarity or support?
Call our sales team.
Straight answers. Quick support. Reliable stock.
“Our Trade Only Ethics Charter draws one clear line: we supply the trade — no exceptions.”