Gateway Automation has earned the prestigious title of Gate and Barrier Contractor of the Year at the 2025 Association of Fencing Industries (AFI) UK Fencing Awards.
This honour was presented at the awards ceremony, held on Thursday, 13th November at Mercedes-Benz World, an event that gathered professionals from the fencing and automation industry.
Category Highlights and Selection Process
This award category, sponsored by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) for the third year running, values excellence in precision, attention to detail, innovation, and a creative approach. Entrants were assessed on several criteria, requiring a comprehensive Risk Assessment Method Statement, a Compliance and Residual Risk Assessment, and a Declaration of Conformity. These submissions were pivotal in demonstrating the entrants' commitment to safety and compliance.
Steve Hill, DHF’s Senior Training & Compliance Officer, participated in the judging panel, responsible for evaluating submissions to determine both the finalists and the ultimate winner. DHF’s Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery Stevens, presented the award to Gateway Automation, during an evening featuring a keynote speech by Perry McCarthy, famously known as the original Stig from Top Gear.
Recognition from Industry Experts
Gateway Automation emerged victorious, surpassing formidable finalists such as Alpha Rail and the Littlewood Group. Ollie Male, Sales and Estimator at Gateway Automation, expressed the team's pride in receiving this recognition, emphasising the importance of the award in affirming their dedication to quality as appreciated by esteemed industry experts.
Male also underscored the vital role that DHF’s training and membership have played in bolstering the company's technical assurance. By completing the ABBE Level 2 Award in Automated Gate and Traffic Barrier Safety Accreditation, his team has been better equipped to address real-world industry challenges, providing clients with credible advice in line with regulatory expectations.
Commitment to Professional Standards
Pete Clark from AFI lauded the immense talent and professionalism within the industry
Pete Clark from AFI lauded the immense talent and professionalism within the industry, noting the evolution of the awards since their inception in 2022.
He stated appreciation for the contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers who continuously drive innovation, highlighting the crucial role gates and barriers play in safeguarding properties and critical sites daily.
Patricia from DHF added, "DHF is proud to support the Gate and Barrier Contractor of the Year category, maintaining a focus on professionalism, training, and technical competence across the industry. The 2025 AFI Awards once again underscored the rich talent in the sector, celebrating organisations that elevate expectations of 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 organisation 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 recognised 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 organisations that are raising expectations of quality and safety.”
