In demonstrating its continuous commitment to raising standards and recognising outstanding achievement in the automated gate and barrier sector, Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced that it will be sponsoring the ‘Gate & Barrier Contractor of the Year’ award at the 2025 Association of Fencing Industries’ (AFI) UK Fencing Award. This marks the third consecutive year that it has sponsored this award.
The AFI Awards feature nine award categories that are open to contractors, distributors, and manufacturers with installer networks, covering areas within the industry that range from Agricultural and Equine, to Highways and Railways, and Gates and Barriers.
The Gate & Barrier Contractor of the Year award is a category for contractors to demonstrate the quality of their work across all sectors; this includes standards of precision, attention to detail, innovation, creativity and flair. Entries for this category must also include a Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS), a Compliance & Residual Risk Assessment, and a Declaration of Conformity, all of which are essential to demonstrate the safety, regulatory compliance, and professional integrity of the completed installation.
“These requirements align closely with DHF’s own commitment to promoting best practice and safe working standards across the industry,” explains DHF’s Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill. “Given the strong synergy between DHF and AFI, we are proud to support this initiative and continue playing an active role in championing excellence across the sector. The awards present a fantastic opportunity for DHF members to gain recognition for their work and showcase their commitment to excellence in gate and barrier installation.”
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 13th November at Mercedes-Benz World, and as a sponsor, DHF’s Steve Hill will be a representative on the judging panel, playing an integral role in evaluating entries and selecting both finalists and the overall category winner.
DHF has been involved in the automated gate industry since 2011 when it formed the Automated Gate Group. The Group now has 348 members and has played a major role in raising the industry’s understanding about the safety elements involved in a compliant and safe gate installation. It offers a number of gate safety training courses which can be taken online or at its training academy based near Tamworth.
The Association of Fencing Industries exists to promote safety, quality and professionalism throughout the fencing industry. It represents members across the UK fencing industry, ensuring members are kept up to date with industry news, technical information, and business opportunities available within its network. Its awards programme highlights the vital work the fencing industry does in the many diverse areas of the sector and promotes excellence and innovation, industry wide.
To enter, companies must submit their best installations from the past 12 months. The awards are open to the entire industry, not just AFI members, and entries close on 31st July 2025. For further information about the AFI UK Fencing Awards and to submit an entry, please visit the AFI website: https://bit.ly/3QA8G0j
May 2025
Join dhf
Enjoy the full benefits of dhf membership
Apply today
