AFI & AFA Best Practice Day
Don’t Miss Out – Book Your Place Today
With the AFI & AFA Best Practice Day just around the corner, now is the time to secure your place.
Taking place on 15 October at Kirkley Hall, this practical, hands-on event is designed for fencing contractors and installers looking to develop their skills, learn new techniques and keep up to date with current best practice.
The day will include:
- Live demonstrations
- Expert advice from industry specialists
- Practical guidance on agricultural strained wire fencing
- Networking with fellow fencing professionals
Whether you’re new to the industry or have years of experience, the Best Practice Day offers valuable practical knowledge you can take straight back to site.
Places are limited and bookings are filling up – reserve your place today.
Have Your Say – BS EN 350 Open for Public Comment
Members are invited to review and comment on a draft British Standard currently open for public consultation through the BSI Standards Development Portal.
BS EN 350 – Biological durability of wood and wood-based products covers the testing and classification of the durability of wood and wood-based materials against biological agents.
This may be of particular interest to members working with timber fencing and associated wood products, and provides an opportunity for those with relevant practical or technical expertise to contribute to the standards development process.
Comments submitted through the portal will be considered by the relevant national committee when determining the UK response.
View BS EN 350 and submit your comments
If you haven’t used the BSI Standards Development Portal before, you’ll need to register for an account before submitting comments.
FenceX 2027
Secure Your Stand Before the Best Locations Go
Following the huge success of FenceX 2025, interest in FenceX 2027 continues to grow.
Stand bookings are now open, giving exhibitors the opportunity to secure their preferred location before the exhibition floor begins to fill.
Taking place at NAEC Stoneleigh on Thursday 23 September 2027, FenceX is the UK’s leading exhibition dedicated to the fencing and perimeter security industry.
With thousands of industry professionals expected to attend, it’s the ideal opportunity to:
- Showcase your products and services
- Generate new business opportunities
- Meet customers face-to-face
- Raise your company profile
Early indoor stand bookings require just a 10% deposit, making now the perfect time to secure your place.
Book early and choose the stand location that works best for your business.
Hospital 2.0 Alliance Signals New Opportunities for Construction
The New Hospital Programme has taken a major step forward with the signing of contracts for the Hospital 2.0 Alliance, marking the transition from procurement to delivery for the first wave of new hospitals.
The update outlines how the new collaborative delivery model will create long-term opportunities for the construction supply chain, highlights progress on hospital projects across England, and provides details of upcoming supply chain engagement events for businesses looking to get involved.
Tender Opportunity – North Kent Grazing Project Infrastructure Works
Kent County Council has published a tender opportunity for contractors to deliver infrastructure works as part of the North Kent Grazing Project, a major landscape-scale nature recovery initiative supporting the restoration and long-term management of chalk grassland across North Kent.
The contract includes a range of works that will be of interest to experienced fencing contractors, including:
- Stock-proof fencing installation and replacement
- Installation of field, deer and accessibility gates
- Water infrastructure, including pipework and troughs
- Scrub clearance and green waste management
- Construction of access tracks where required
Works will be carried out across several environmentally sensitive sites, including Birling Estate, Ranscombe Farm Reserve, Trosley Country Park, Shorne Woods Country Park and Ladds Farm, with delivery expected between Autumn/Winter 2026 and Autumn 2027.
Contractors must be able to demonstrate experience working within protected landscapes and environmentally sensitive locations, with mandatory site visits forming part of the tender process.
The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Friday 28 August 2026.
Find out more and access the tender documentation here
New Steel Quota Tracker – Useful Resource for AFI Members
With the new UK steel trade measures now in force, AFI members involved in the purchase, supply or manufacture of steel fencing products may find a new free online tool from TrueNorth Engineering useful.
The UK Steel Quota Tracker uses HMRC/UK Trade Tariff data to show the remaining tariff-free quota across different steel categories and countries of origin. Quotas are allocated quarterly on a first come, first served basis and, once the relevant quota is exhausted, further imports covered by the measures are subject to the 50% out-of-quota tariff.
The tracker can therefore provide an early indication of where particular steel import routes may be coming under pressure, helping businesses to consider potential supply and cost implications when purchasing or planning future work.
The tool also allows users to search by steel grade, category or country, although businesses should always confirm the correct commodity classification with their supplier or customs agent.
Members who purchase or use steel in fencing manufacture are encouraged to take a look at the tracker and keep an eye on the categories relevant to their business.