Gateway Automation has been honored with the Gate and Barrier Contractor of the Year award at the 2025 Association of Fencing Industries (AFI) UK Fencing Awards. Sponsored by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) for the third year in a row, the award ceremony took place on Thursday, November 13th, at Mercedes-Benz World, welcoming industry leaders and professionals from the fencing and automation sectors.
Recognizing Excellence
The Gate and Barrier Contractor of the Year category highlights exceptional precision, attention to detail, innovation, and creativity. Participants were required to provide comprehensive documents, including a Risk Assessment Method Statement, a Compliance and Residual Risk Assessment, and a Declaration of Conformity. These submissions played a crucial role in the judging process, demonstrating safety, regulatory compliance, and professional integrity.
Steve Hill, DHF's Senior Training & Compliance Officer, served on the judging panel and was instrumental in evaluating entries and selecting both finalists and the overall winner. The award was presented by Patricia Sowsbery Stevens, DHF's Commercial Director, during an event that featured a keynote speech by Perry McCarthy, widely known as the original Stig from Top Gear.
Industry Recognition
Gateway Automation emerged victorious, beating fellow finalists Alpha Rail and the Littlewood Group
Gateway Automation emerged victorious, beating fellow finalists Alpha Rail and the Littlewood Group. Ollie Male, Sales and Estimator at Gateway Automation, expressed his pride in the team's recognition.
He commended the AFI Awards for their excellent organization, impressive venue, and engaging hosts, and highlighted the significance of the award in acknowledging their steadfast commitment to quality by esteemed industry experts.
Advancing Technical Expertise
Ollie also emphasized the importance of DHF's training and membership in enhancing the company’s technical capabilities. He noted that staff frequently handle inquiries related to training received through the federation, which equips them to offer precise advice aligned with industry standards.
Gateway Automation completed the ABBE Level 2 Award in Automated Gate and Traffic Barrier Safety Accreditation, a program Ollie described as "essential" for addressing everyday operational challenges while ensuring high-quality results.
Commitment to Professional Standards
Pete Clark of AFI remarked on the talent, pride, and professionalism displayed within the industry each year. He reflected on the awards' growth since their inception in 2022 and appreciated the contributions from everyone, including apprentices and contractors, who perpetually drive innovation. Clark stated, "Good fencing keeps people safe, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Gates & Barriers category." He highlighted the dedication of contractors to safety and professionalism.
Patricia of DHF concluded by affirming the organization's commitment to supporting high standards of professionalism, training, and technical competence. She noted the 2025 AFI Awards as a celebration of the abundant talent within the sector, commending the organizations setting new benchmarks in quality and safety.
Gateway Automation has been named the winner of the Gate and Barrier Contractor of the Year award at the 2025 Association of Fencing Industries UK Fencing Awards.
The category was sponsored for the third consecutive year by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), with the ceremony taking place on Thursday, 13th November at Mercedes-Benz World. The event brought together voices from across the fencing and automation sector.
Overall category winner
The Gate and Barrier Contractor of the Year category recognises excellence in precision, attention to detail, innovation and creative approach. Entrants were required to submit a full Risk Assessment Method Statement, a Compliance and Residual Risk Assessment, and a Declaration of Conformity. These documents formed an essential part of the judging process and helped demonstrate safety, regulatory compliance and professional integrity.
DHF’s Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill, represented the federation on the judging panel and helped evaluate entries, selecting both the finalists and the overall category winner. And DHF’s Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery Stevens, presented the award to Gateway Automation during an evening that also featured an entertaining keynote from Perry McCarthy, known to many as the original Stig from Top Gear.
Respected industry experts
Gateway Automation was selected ahead of fellow finalists, Alpha Rail, and the Littlewood Group. Speaking following the announcement, Ollie Male, Sales and Estimator at Gateway Automation, expressed pride in the recognition.
He noted that the team was delighted to be involved in the AFI Awards and praised the organization of the event, the impressive venue and the warm and engaging hosts. He added that the award holds particular significance for the team because it confirms that their commitment to quality has been recognized by respected industry experts.
Company’s technical confidence
In his reflections, Ollie also highlighted the role that DHF’s training and membership has played in developing the company’s technical confidence. He explained that the team regularly receives enquiries that relate directly to the training they undertook through the federation, and as a result of this training, staff are able to provide customers with accurate advice that aligns with the expectations of industry regulators.
Gateway Automation completed the ABBE Level 2 Award in Automated Gate and Traffic Barrier Safety Accreditation and found the programme valuable because it addressed the real issues that frontline workers encounter every day. Ollie described the course as ‘essential’ for helping companies navigate technical challenges and deliver consistently high quality outcomes.
High standards of professionalism
Pete Clark at AFI said: “Every year I am blown away by the talent, pride and professionalism within this industry. These awards started in 2022 with a tight budget and a lot of favours – and to see how far they’ve come is a testament to the incredible people who make fencing what it is. From apprentices starting their journey to the contractors, manufacturers and suppliers driving innovation, this industry never stands still – and that’s something worth celebrating.”
“Thanks to all the sponsors and the great AFI team that make the awards possible. I have always said that good fencing keeps people safe, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Gates & Barriers category. These systems protect homes, businesses and critical sites every day. The quality of entries this year shows a group of contractors who take that responsibility seriously, and I am proud to see the expertise in this category growing year on year.”
“DHF is proud to support the Gate and Barrier Contractor of the Year category and continues to champion high standards of professionalism, training and technical competence across the industry,” concludes Patricia. “The 2025 AFI Awards once again highlighted the depth of talent within the sector and celebrated the organizations that are raising expectations of quality and safety.”
