Latest News
Catch up on the latest news from the UK's leading perimeter protection specialist.
- Jan 2012 Darfen celebrates 100 years in fencing
- Dec 2011 Happy Christmas from Darfen
- Oct 2011 Darfen Scottish region celebrates 25th birthday
- Sep 2011 Happy Retirement to long service employee
- Aug 2011 Follow Darfen on Twitter & Facebook
- Jun 2011 Fence and railing theft on the up
- Apr 2011 Darfen shortlisted as a National Recycling Award 2011 Finalist
- Mar 2011 Talk to us about high security at Counter Terror 2011
- Mar 2011 Darfen becomes a Grade II Contractor with Balfour Beatty
- Dec 2010 Merry Christmas from Darfen
- Nov 2010 Darfen joins the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association
- Oct 2010 Are you breaching CDM regulations with unsafe hoarding?
- Sep 2010 Darfen joins Building Confidence
- Jul 2010 Sliding Gate Safety Guidance
- May 2010 Free advice for BSF Schools
Darfen celebrates 100 years in fencing
January 2012
Darfen Durafencing is today celebrating its 100 year birthday. Starting out as the Darlington Fencing Company in 1912 we have grown into the UK’s largest fencing contracting organisation.
Today in the Darfen office we are tucking into birthday cake to celebrate this milestone. Clive Wragg, MD of Darfen has also hosted a special centenary raffle for employees to win a variety of prizes to mark the occasion with first prize being a 4* trip for two.
In order to mark the Darfen centenary, The CRH Fencing and Security Group (of which Darfen is a part) has also decided to introduce a new long service employee award scheme.
You can keep yourself posted on all the Darfen Centenary celebrations throughout the year and read up on the history of Darfen by visiting our dedicated centenary web pages here!
Happy Christmas from Darfen
December 2011
The season of goodwill is upon us again and Darfen Durafencing would like to wish their customers, old and new, a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!
Darfen prides itself on supplying and installing quality fencing systems, so much so, that Santa Clause can't even climb our Secured by Design approved Self Raking Railings.
You might not want to keep Santa out this Christmas, but to keep out other unwanted intruders talk to your local Darfen branch today!
Darfen Scottish region celebrates 25th birthday
October 2011
Staff at the Airdrie based branch gather to celebrate 25 years
Darfen Scottish Regional branch is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary. Over the years the branch has seen many changes but one thing that remains unchanged however, is that the 2 people that started the business all those years ago are still very much involved today.
Regional Director Joe Hughes, and his PA, Wendy Peacock are happy to be celebrating a successful 25 years and Joe believes that the key to success is that ‘a business is only ever as good as the people working in it and Darfen has been fortunate to have such a dedicated and reliable team over the years’.
During the 25 years the business has grown from humble beginnings, to being a multi-million £ fencing contractor that prides itself on the service that it provides to its customers, not just in and around Airdrie, but across the length and breadth of Scotland.
Today Darfen is part of the CRH Fencing & Security Group, and is very comfortable taking on contracts ranging from a few small repairs all the way through to maximum security installations involving total perimeter protection. Joe comments, ‘as the world of fencing and security has changed over the years, we have adapted our own business, and these days deal with much more complex, integrated perimeter protection systems than ever before. But we have never lost sight of our roots, and like to think that we still offer the same friendly, reliable service to the general fencing market as we have always done’.
Darfen is proud to support the growing number of health and safety initiatives in the construction industry, and carries a number of accreditations including platinum status within the CSCS scheme. Darfen is also a great believer in regularly training its workforce, which has recently achieved SVQ works supervision level 3.
Happy Retirement to long service employee
September 2011
Barbara McPhail from our Darfen North West Region is retiring after an astounding 43 years of service. To celebrate her retirement staff at Darfen wished her well at a farewell dinner party.
Barbara will be taking many fond memories away with her from her time at Darfen including when she tried to run a 2k race with a colleague wearing boiler suits and PPE.
Now that she is retiring Barbara is hoping to spend much of her time with her grandson and travelling. Regional Director for the Darfen North West region, Tony Simpkin said “Barbara has been very loyal to the company and will be a missed member of the team. If I can give her any advice it is to relax and enjoy every minute of retirement”.
Happy Retirement Barbara, from all your friends at Darfen!
Follow Darfen on Twitter & Facebook
August 2011
Now you can keep upto date with your favourite fencing contractor through Facebook and Twitter. Stay informed and receive live updates now! Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter and be the first to read the latest updates from Darfen - The only truly nationwide fencing contractor in the UK!
Fence and railing theft on the up
June 2011
Zenith is Secured by Design approved
As the price of metal goes up Darfen is warning customers to remain extra vigilant as people are dismantling fencing and railings to cash in on metal.
The new wave of theft follows on from the surge of copper and lead related theft in recent years because of the record high prices of non-ferrous metals.
To help minimise the risk of theft a number of security measures can be put in place but Darfen are advising that in the first place it is often best to specify a system that benefits from anti-tamper features.
Darfen offers a range of Secured by Design that have received police approval for being an effective form of crime prevention. Find out more about Secured by Design approved products on our website:
Zenith | Pallas Xtra | Self-raking railings or ask your local branch for advice.
Recent figures from Nottinghamshire Police show that in Worksop alone there's been an extra 19 offences this year so far and whilst many police authorities have upped there patrols, choosing a fence with anti-tamper features can help to reduce the likelihood of fencing and railing theft in the first place.
Darfen shortlisted as a National Recycling Award 2011 Finalist
April 2011
The annual National Recycling Awards 2011 recognises and rewards companies for innovation, outstanding quality and best practice in the UK recycling industry.
Darfen has been shortlisted in the Best Partnership Project for Recycling category for work recently completed for Waitrose Stores whereby we worked in partnership with Centriforce and Marmax to provide a recycled plastic hoarding system called Ecohoard RE-Plas. Made from Waitrose recycled plastic carrier bags the Ecohoard RE-Plas system is recognised as an innovative product that is environmentally friendly.
Jeff Gardom, Managing Director for Darfen Durafencing said: "We are extremely pleased to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. We hope that other supermarkets in the UK can see how carrier bags can easily be turned into a safe and quality hoarding product that also serves as a great way to advertise offers in store".
Darfen also offers a full range of Eco friendly hoarding products which can be seen here!
Talk to us about high security at Counter Terror 2011
March 2011
Counter Terror Expo is a highly specialised event for those who want to deliver a robust defence against the threat posed from international terrorism. Darfen Durafencing will be exhibiting at the event and on hand to answer any questions about perimeter security and intruder detection. Come and talk to the Darfen Major Projects Team in the lower hall on stand I74.
Darfen becomes a Grade II Contractor with Balfour Beatty
March 2011
Balfour Beatty is an established leader in the delivery of UK civil and social infrastructure. In developing our long term relationship with Balfour Beatty we are pleased to have obtained Grade II Contractor Status.
Grade II status has been awarded having demonstrated a commitment to Balfour Beatty's Health and Safety systems, in particular the Balfour Beatty Zero Harm initiative.
Merry Christmas from Darfen
December 2010
Merry Christmas from Darfen Durafencing, the UK's leading fencing contractor.
Our Christmas opening times are:
Close for business Thursday 23rd December 2010 at 12:00.
Open for business Tuesday 4th January 2011.
Darfen joins the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association
November 2010
Darfen are now proud members of the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA). The PSSA is the trade association for companies involved in the supply of equipment and services designed to provide the highest levels of physical protection for sites and their perimeters from terrorist or criminal attack that involves the use of extreme force or explosives.
The PSSA was formed with encouragement from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI). As members we are perfectly placed to supply and install the high performance fencing and gate products within the security market.
Are you breaching CDM regulations with unsafe hoarding?
October 2010
Darfen Steelhoard with 50mph windloading
Regulation 28 of The Construction Design & Management Regulations 2007 states that any temporary structure must be designed and installed so that it can withstand any foreseeable loads which may be imposed on it.
With so many hoarding systems available in the market how do you know which is the right system to choose so that you are not at risk of breaching legislation?
The Darfen Steelhoard system has been tested and proven to withstand winds of upto 50mph. This re-usable hoarding system is installed in-ground providing a stable temporary structure. Coupled with our installation service, we can ensure that our hoarding is properly installed on site for you.
Recently the HSE prosecuted a major construction company after unsafe hoarding collapsed on a two-year-old child who fortunatley suffered only minor cuts and bruises. HSE inspector Kevin Jones said that "the incident could have easily been prevented" and also encouraged the construction industry to "recognise that temporary works such as hoardings are properly designed by competent people and built to the agreed design".
To talk to us about hoarding and ensure that you choose a safe and stable system contact us today.
Darfen joins Building Confidence
September 2010
Building Confidence is a supplier pre-qualification and accreditation service for the UK construction industry. It is quickly become recognised as the standard for supplier excellence within the industry and we are pleased to have successfully joined the scheme.
By joining the scheme we have undergone a strict auditing process which has assessed our management systems in relation to health & safety, quality and the environment. Our accreditation means that we are now approved to work with the likes of Bovis Lend Lease, Shepherd Construction and Mace amonsts many others.
Sliding Gate Safety Guidance
July 2010
Safety edges ensure no entrapment.
In light of two recent tragic accidents in the UK involving automated sliding gates we are providing help and guidance to businesses so that they can ensure that the products they choose comply with HSE Guidance.
Our high performance Delta Cantilever Gate benefits from ten safety features and here in our online video you can see how there is no risk of entrapment.
As part of HSE recommendations, persons responsible for the gate should ensure that they are regularly reviewed and maintained and with a Darfen Maintenance Contract we can help to ensure your product is kept in proper working condition at all times.
Click here to read on about HSE Guidance on electrical powered gate safety.
Free advice for BSF Schools
May 2010
At Darfen we have a wealth of experience of working on Building Schools for The Future schemes having worked on projects across the UK including recent installations on Liverpool BSF, Barnsley BSF and Westminster BSF.
Not only are we approved installers of Secured By Design fencing systems, our team of experts have an in-depth understanding of the security guidelines set out by Partnership For Schools.
Darfen can provide a one stop shop for schools and can take care of everything from the temporary fencing, perimeter fencing, MUGA’s, gates and access controls.
Our new eco friendly hoarding can not only be used as a temporary fencing system, but can be recycled into tables for the classroom after its use.
Whether you are an Architect, part of the BSF Team or a Main Contractor, contact us today to arrange your FREE advice meeting.
