Alastair Henman

Steel fencing manufacturer Zaun Limited is increasing its efforts to educate security consultants, specifiers and architects in the latest technologies available to design into buildings, venues and public spaces to protect the public. In just four months, experts from Zaun will be delivering both Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Security Institute-approved Continual Professional Development (CPD) workshops from London to the North East to half a dozen different audiences, culminating in early December at the International Security Expo at Kensington Olympia. Independent testing and accreditation bodies The security industry requires greater conformity, rigour and collaboration Zaun director and co-founder Alastair Henman has long argued that the security industry requires greater conformity, rigour and collaboration among independent testing and accreditation bodies – and that any penetration tests accurately vet systems in real life scenarios. It favours the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) Red Book and its SR security ratings to LPS 1175, which many specifiers are rightly now insisting upon. But Zaun also gains product approvals with the likes of Secured by Design (SBD), the Perimeter Security Suppliers’ Association (PSSA), PAS 68 and IWA 14 and, of course, the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI). Designed for security professionals Henman says: “So we’re now intent on propagating this message to specifiers, designers, security consultants, architects and anyone involved in determining the security that will protect their staff, customers and the public for years to come.” Sessions are designed for security professionals who are determined to keep their learning going The sessions are designed for security professionals who are determined to keep their learning going throughout their careers and upgrading their knowledge with the latest thinking on security – and operate on the classic CPD points system. The topics fit under the general theme of protecting business or organisational assets using technology and span from perimeter protection and detection and information on the SR Security Ratings and SBD and CPNI standards. Hostile Vehicle Mitigation A growing area is education in Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures in response to the alarming trend for terrorists to use the vehicle as a weapon to target unsuspecting and innocent members of the public. Two years ago, Zaun joined the RIBA CPD Providers Network, which consists of over 500 manufacturers and suppliers who provide RIBA-approved CPD to architects and other specifiers. RIBA-approved CPD material In an Architects Journal survey of the top 120 architectural practices, 84% said they use RIBA-approved CPD and 66% of respondents had attended a face-to-face seminar with a RIBA CPD Providers Network member. The network partners deliver free RIBA-assessed CPD face-to-face in architects’ practices or on factory tours, at RIBA CPD roadshows or online. Zaun must keep the seminar material up-to-date and advise RIBA when it changesCPD is mandatory for RIBA Chartered Architects, and having RIBA approved CPD material available as seminar presentations, articles, videos, factory tours and in other formats is a good way to open doors to start building key relationships. Double points to RIBA Chartered Architects Approved seminars are worth double points to RIBA Chartered Architects. Zaun must keep the seminar material up-to-date and advise RIBA when it changes any content to conform to current legislation, guidelines or user needs. The RIBA promotes the material on their website, through its assessed material list and via monthly CPD Showcase e-marketing campaigns.

‘Fantastic synergies’ and a fresh driving influence mean that Fastline and Zaun are already experiencing benefits since the recent shareholding investment by Fastline and appointment of Fastline’s Mike Fellows to the Zaun board of directors. Fellows and Zaun co-founder and owner Alastair Henman see this as only the start of the creation of a united powerhouse for the UK and international fencing market; to be achieved through close collaboration, combined sales efforts, joint procurement and the utilisation of space to increase stock and production capacity. In addition to this, there are clear advantages to be explored in the potential combination of specialist equipment and personnel skill-sets. As Henman says: “We see this very much as the whole being greater than a sum of the parts.” Delivering technically demanding security projects Fellows’ insight and expertise in the field have ensured that growth for Fastline has been constantFastline are currently one of only a handful of companies in the UK with in-house palisade rolling, boasting one of the most modern lines currently in operation. This operates 24 hours a day to deal with the ever-growing demand. Add to that the welded and woven mesh production at Zaun along with laser and robot technology and there is little that this collaboration cannot achieve. Fastline are renowned for the quality and speed of their products which encompass a near unlimited catalogue due to their ability to produce standard items and also fabricate to highly bespoke requirements. Fellows’ insight and expertise in the field have ensured that growth for Fastline has been constant and shows no sign of waning. Zaun’s proven ability to deliver the most technically demanding and high security projects complements Fastline’s great penetration of the general and medium security market. Fastline have already benefited from an increased capacity for railing production and are capitalising on more opportunities by using Zaun labour and robotic welding technology. Innovative perimeter security systems Fastline and Zaun are enjoying the benefits of an intriguing and a surprising relationship within the perimeter security industry"The companies will maintain large combined stock levels of standard perimeter systems going forward to enable unrivalled lead times. Zaun has a wide range of innovative and unique security rated products, which Fastline are now pushing out to their extensive customer base – opening up a plethora of new business opportunities. Similarly, Zaun is much better placed to serve existing and new customers with an expanded range of railings, palisade, and associated products. Henman concludes: “Fastline and Zaun are enjoying the immediate benefits of an intriguing and, I’m sure to some, a surprising relationship within the perimeter security industry. “Our varied customer base and, as we both agree, quite different modus operandi seem to have ignited the very best of both companies. This was a move not expected by any in the industry but one that undoubtedly all will now be watching with interest.”

Accredited ArmaWeave installer, Crime and Fire Defence Systems carried out the installation at a high security site, where the fence climbed a 50m-long 25° slope using full width panels. Zaun owner and co-founder Alastair Henman said: “The raking powers are such a big benefit over 358 and could help protect so many high security sites.” Manufacturer Zaun developed the raking installation method to make best use of the properties of the high security fabric, which is the most intruder resistant fence on the high security market. Innovative facility security The ArmaWeave fencing – which is unique to Zaun, as is the ability to rake it – is produced on the world’s largest mesh weaving machine at the company’s West Midlands manufacturing base. Henman added: "We had to invest in the weaving machine ahead of the sales in the belief we could produce an innovative product installers, specifiers and high security facility managers would want." Zaun's raking method limits the need for stepping panels on slopes and reduces installation costs significantly It limits the need for stepping panels on slopes and reduces installation costs significantly compared with standard welded mesh systems, while still conforming to the highest rated standards for fencing products defending against forcible attack. Optimum integrated fencing solution ArmaWeave’s unique properties add substantial resistance to cutting attacks with hand, powered and non-contact tools.  The tight mesh pattern provides no climbing aids, again limiting the potential for intrusion. ArmaWeave is tested to the very highest standards and can be combined with other intruder systems, electronics and access control to create the optimum integrated fencing solution. Tens of thousands of metres have been installed at water, gas, electricity and nuclear sites around the UK by Crime & Fire and the three other accredited ArmaWeave installers: specialist fencing installers, Allen Fencing Limited and JB Corrie and premier prison fencing installer, Binns Fencing, a Zaun subsidiary.

Two giants of the UK perimeter solutions market are joining forces. Fastline Holdings has taken a small shareholding in Zaun Ltd by investing and Fastline owner Mike Fellows has joined the Zaun board. Synergies between the two businesses Zaun owner Alastair Henman said: "I am delighted that we managed to put this deal together after extensive negotiations and am excited to be welcoming Mike to the Zaun board." Fellows added: "There are tremendous synergies between the two businesses. Our combined resources and specialities will be without comparison in the UK, and possibly even anywhere in the world. We see this as only the start of the creation of a combined powerhouse in the UK and international fencing market.  This is very much a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts." Sharing of specialist skills Fastline and Zaun have agreed to extremely close collaboration including a combined sales effort, the sharing of specialist skills, combined procurement and stocking, maximising the use of space, significantly increased plant utilisation and improved productivity through the use of technology and scale. Mike Fellows founded Fastline Steel Services Ltd, fencing manufacturers with particular strengths in palisade, railings and gates, based in 30,000 square feet of factory and office space in Strawberry Lane, Willenhall.  They have a strong and dedicated team with additional regional offices in Liverpool and Bristol. Zaun benefits from a host of modern production equipment including robot welding, tube laser cutting and plasma cutting. Extensive fencing catalogue Fastline invested in plant two years ago to roll their own palisade system and now have probably the most efficient line in the UK. Zaun specialises in woven and welded mesh fencing, manufacturing both types of panels in its 80,000 square feet of manufacturing in Wolverhampton, less than 15 minutes from Fastline. Zaun benefits from a host of modern production equipment including robot welding, tube laser cutting and plasma cutting. It makes an extensive catalogue of security rated and crash rated fencing products and boasts extensive major project and export experience. Henman concluded: "We will be looking to make quick gains for both businesses while the coming months and years will involve further investment and growth for both Fastline and Zaun, working side by side with a view to establishing both companies as the leaders in their field both nationally and internationally."

Zaun Limited has acquired all the intellectual property rights (IPR) and assets of EyeLynx Limited after the voluntary liquidation of its former subsidiary.  Zaun will continue the business under the trading name of Zaun Technology, which will be part of the multi-award-winning perimeter protection systems, Zaun Group. The EyeLynx range of security software services and products – including its iconic SharpView CCTV solutions and much-vaunted EPR-500 radar – will be part of the Zaun brand product line under this new approach.  The core technical team behind the product and support remain unchanged under Francisco Feijoo, but fellow co-founder and former CEO Jay Patel is no longer part of the business. While the quality of its CCTV has been praised by The Metropolitan Police, the radar is currently attracting most customer interest Business integrations Zaun Technology has taken on all support contracts and product warranties for EyeLynx customers under the deal. Zaun co-founder and director Alastair Henman said: “Customers in the perimeter security industry will benefit from a more holistic solution, driven by innovation.  We wish Jay the best of the luck with his new endeavours.” Zaun had been steadily integrating the business since acquiring it three and a half years ago and the approach to the market through channel partners Eclipse Digital Solutions, Harper Chalice and Tensor will continue. While the quality of its CCTV has been praised by The Metropolitan Police, the radar is currently attracting most customer interest. Perimeter security Feijoo created a mobile pack fitted with its EPR-500 radar and all-in-one Pharos PTZ camera on top of a tripod to demonstrate instantly to security managers that it can identify predatory vehicles at up to 700m – and drones at 80 metres. The EPR-500 radar with SharpView detects, tracks and records moving objects in a 120° field of view, such as people and transport, in high resolution, even at night, making it ideal for airport perimeter intruder detection, railway trackside public safety and building site security and asset protection.

Steel fencing manufacturer, Zaun has appointed a champion of production management and fencing to be its new operations manager. Mark Lewis takes on responsibility for operations including production, purchasing, logistics, engineering and health & safety. His brief is to ensure that Zaun is a world class production business with the appropriate standards of quality and efficiency to compete in the global market. He said: “My focus will be on the processes and systems used in the business to make them as efficient and effective as possible. We want to exploit our existing system and reduce the level of administration using bespoke spreadsheets.” Lewis joins the business following six years at Knauf Insulation, making rock mineral wool insulation. Prior to this, he had 14 years at Betafence, including setting up their fencing business in the Wigan plant and was latterly the manufacturing manager in the Sheffield plant. Mark has broad experience across a range of industries including fencing and has a real heart for production management and engineering" Production expertise Prior to the formation of Betafence with the sale of Bekaert’s fencing division, he worked for both Bekaert, and Tinsley Wire, aggregating 17 years of experience in wire and wire products production. During his early career, he held roles in production engineering with Lucas Aerospace, production management in automotive production with Allied Signals and as a manufacturing system engineer with BICC Cables. Lewis said: “I love the programme, ‘How’s it Made’ and apply those sorts of principles to everything I do. We’re not going to make any massive step changes in manufacturing here at Zaun, but we will be making lots of little step changes so every day we will be just a little bit better.” As Lewis said, he applies these principles to everything not just work. He is currently renovating a Grade II listed building that will become his family home in Mold in North Wales. Zaun co-founder and director Alastair Henman said, “Mark has such broad experience across such a range of industries including fencing with Betafence and Bekaert and has a real heart for production management and engineering. I expect him to be instrumental in developing us as a world-class manufacturing business.”

British innovation is the focus for perimeter protection systems group Zaun as it unveils new products at the world’s premium trade platform on security and safety. Zaun unveils two brand new products at the 20th staging of Intersec, which takes place from 21st to 23rd January at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Zaun announces CorruSec SR3 and CorruSec Premier SR4, two new high-security fence systems that resist, for more than 5 and 10 minutes respectively, sustained attack with designated specialist power tools. Zaun’s stand will feature its full suite of SR-rated products, installations of its unique raking ArmaWeave fencing system and government-rated PIDs & PulseSecure electric pulse fencing from electronic and electrified perimeter security systems business Harper Chalice. Focus on strengths Zaun co-founder and director Alastair Henman has made no secret of his intentions to refocus Zaun on its manufacturing strengths and set it apart with pioneering innovation and bold investment. To that he has added strengthened relationships with core contractor customers and architects, strategic acquisitions and renewed energy on collaboration and partnering. He said before Intersec: “It all contributes to a massively exciting future we are building at Zaun. We are confidently ready to forge into the future and approach 2018 with record consolidated turnover and profit.” Over the past two decades, Intersec's influence has spread not only across the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent but has gone well beyond, offering thousands of influential trade buyers the latest security and safety solutions from the world’s premier manufacturers. Last year, almost 33,000 delegates from all over the world visited more than 1,300 exhibitors from 58 countries.

A high-security fence for rail and other critical national infrastructure applications that resists for more than five minutes of sustained attack with specialist power tools has been developed by steel mesh fencing manufacturer Zaun. The company has received a revised Certificate of Product Approval from the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to include its brand new CorruSec SR3 approved to Security Rating 3. The fencing system incorporates a corrugated HiSec 3-5-10 mesh sandwiched between further panels of HiSec 3-5-10, a special welded steel wire fence panel similar to the type of mesh usually used for prison fencing, whose name is derived from its mesh size 3" × 0.5" × 10 gauge. The original concept was the idea of Zaun’s co-founder and director Alastair Henman and has been developed by research and development manager Adam Christie. Tested and approved for rigidity Christie explains, “Alastair conceived the design by looking at the construction of cardboard, in particular the corrugated kind, and how the corrugated element created a much stronger three-dimensional material. So, we started experimenting with a corrugated mesh centre section to give fencing greater rigidity and increase its thickness without adding much to the material content and weight, to counter the kind of tools attackers might use.” CorruSec SR3 has been subjected to sustained attack by testers from the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) wielding a range of hand and power tools, yet they could not breach the CorruSec SR3 in less than five minutes. The fencing system is manufactured to BS1722 Part 14 and is approved at heights from 2.4 to 6m above the ground, in ground or base plated options. Each individual panel features a 76.2mm x 12.7mm mesh configuration with 3mm horizontal and vertical wires. The corrugated section is pressed to approximately 100mm in depth. All three layers are bolted together using bolts fixed into place in a grid pattern throughout the combined fence panel. CorruSec SR3 provides good through visibility for use with CCTV cameras, while security toppings can be added to suit. Asset protection for national infrastructure Henman says, “The current specification for CrossRail stations is a ‘5-minute fence’, so we set about seeing if we could create a viable product. Across our customer base, operators of critical national infrastructure are upgrading their most sensitive sites given heightened fear of terrorist threats and the advances in technology, such as our CorruSec product.” As well as rail applications, SR3 fencing is ideal for protecting assets at water utilities, oil and gas compounds, data centres and other sites of critical national importance. Further, Zaun’s security systems have achieved security ratings including their HiSec Super10, Duo8 and HiSec 358 systems (certificate number 1164a/05) and are entered into the Red Book for LPS 1175: Issue 7. To maintain accreditation and a listing in the LPCB Red Book, manufacturers must regularly demonstrate to independent auditors that they are producing products consistent with those tested. This gives customers the guarantee that they are getting a secure and quality product. Products approved by LPCB are rigorously tested for resistance to deliberate attack and play an important role in protecting people and property against physical attack, burglary, vandalism and terrorism. LPS 1175 specifically covers the approval and listing of intruder resistant building components, strongpoints, security enclosures and free-standing barriers. It is the result of many years of work by LPCB, UK government, insurers and police. It has rapidly become a core element of physical security specification across many sectors.

Innovation and collaboration remain to the fore for multi-award-winning perimeter protection systems group Zaun as it unveiled new products and partnerships at the UK Security Expo (UKSec). Zaun unveiled two brand new products, a new accredited installer and the latest integration of subsidiary EyeLynx’s video management software (VMS) with a channel partner’s access control system. The collaborations enable the steel mesh systems manufacturer to get its products to market, leaving its core business to focus on engineering, production excellence and product innovation. Zaun announced: Two new security products: CorruSec SR3—a high-security fence from Zaun Limited that resists for more than 5 minutes of sustained attack with specialist power tools. ImpaktFence—the latest in mobile HVM technology, an integrated IWA14 crash-rated rubber barrier and steel fence system, developed in collaboration by Rosehill Security and Zaun Limited. A fourth accredited installer for its unique super-intruder-resistant ArmaWeave fencing—specialist fencing installers JB Corrie. Perimeter fencing systems for physical security Systems integrator Tensor demonstrated the integration of its access control, visitor monitoring and time management systems with the perimeter radar detection system, CCTV and VMS of security software expert EyeLynx, for whom it is one of the first channel partners. Zaun’s stand featured its full suite of SR-rated products, installations of its unique raking ArmaWeave fencing system and government-rated PIDs & PulseSecure electric pulse fencing from electronic and electrified perimeter security systems business Harper Chalice, another EyeLynx channel partner. Collaborator Rosehill Security’s stand included the new ImpaktFence, while Zaun subsidiary Binns Fencing also deployed the blocks outside the exhibition hall as an HVM demo alongside ATG Access bollards and blockers. Business development manager Steve Bailes delivered a seminar on balancing the equation of time v response v choice for physical protection. Collaborative international security Zaun co-founder and director Alastair Henman has made no secret of his intentions to refocus Zaun on its manufacturing strengths and set it apart with pioneering innovation and bold investment. To that he has added strengthened relationships with core contractor customers and architects, strategic acquisitions and renewed energy on collaboration and partnering. He said at UKSec, “It all contributes to a massively exciting future we are building at Zaun. We are confidently ready to forge into the future and approach the end of 2017 with record consolidated turnover and profit.” UKSec 2017 took place on 29 and 30 November at London's Kensington Olympia and is an award-winning event bringing together thousands of international security stakeholders from government, military, law enforcement, emergency services, CNI, transport, borders, major events, utilities and other private sector players. UKSec has innovation at its core, with over 250 world-class exhibitors and working closely with HM government departments including the Home Office JSaRC on immersive demonstrations plus the Department for International Trade DSO for 50 official hosted country delegations.