A BRIGHT START TO 2025
he team at Cotswold Decorative Ironworkers (CDI) have had to hit the ground running in 2025, as a record-breaking Q1 has given everyone plenty to do.
On the busy start, CDI Managing Director Hughie Powell had this to say:
“Our financial year starts in November, and we’ve enjoyed a real boost in sales in what is traditionally our quieter time of year. 2024 gave us plenty of challenges, so to start the new year in such a way is a great reward.”
The biggest challenge that faced the Chipping Norton-based firm in 2024 was moving the bulk of their operations to a brand-new facility, but they are now starting to reap the benefits of that investment.
“The new workshops and office allow us all to work in a much more efficient way. We have more space and better facilities, which all add up to being able to better meet the needs of our customers,” says Contracts Manager Pete Boulton.
“We’re constantly working to make the best use of this new space, and by doing that, we can keep a bigger stock of our Estate Fencing and Gates, meaning better lead times for our customers.”
One of those customers, garden and landscape designer Fiona Lawrenson, has continued to use CDI for a number of years now. Initially choosing their Standard Estate Fencing and a selection of Gates for the development of her own property, in the last 12–18 months, Fiona has specified CDI products for two large projects in the Surrey area.
“Both projects have involved large-scale landscape changes and extensive planting, so the choice of 1.8m High Deer Park Fencing offered an elegant and secure solution for both projects,” said Fiona.
“The wild deer can do a lot of damage to the gardens, and CDI’s fencing keeps them out whilst also improving the look of the various areas.”
Whilst Deer Park Fencing is one of CDI’s top-performing products, it is their 1.2m High Standard Fencing that is once again leading the way on the sales front.
“We currently have orders for standard fencing that total a little over eight thousand metres,” continues Pete.
“The design and installation of our fencing use modern tools and techniques but honour the history of estate fencing being assembled in the traditional way. Our fencing is fully galvanised, so the no-weld system of installation ensures that protection stays intact.”
One of the large orders currently on the board is yet another project for the National Trust. The estates team at Hare Hill in Cheshire have been long-time customers of CDI, and they have a dedicated team of volunteers who install the fencing.
When asked why they continue to use fencing and gates from CDI, National Trust representative John Mann had this to say:
*“We chose CDI products because we have purchased from them before and are pleased with the quality of product and service. Our overall experience is that CDI offers good professional advice from experienced staff.
“The fencing has longevity, quality, and flexibility. It can be curved around obstacles, easily moved or temporarily modified to allow access, and re-used or easily taken down and reconstructed in another location without damaging it. In this respect, it is far superior to stock, barbed wire, and wooden post fencing, which ends up in a skip after a few years.
“After a little training, it is easy for National Trust volunteers to construct with minimal tools and lifting equipment required. It also offers flexibility in livestock grazing. The option to use plain wire between the bottom rails allows it to be made sheep-proof if required.
“It is much more pleasing to the eye in historical parkland settings, especially when fencing curved boundaries, around ponds or lakes, for example.”*
Looking ahead to the next quarter of 2025, there is plenty more to be excited about—the continuation of large-scale schemes in Hereford, Essex, and Hertfordshire, as well as new projects in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and the Scottish Highlands—means that CDI’s dedicated team of fitters will be kept busy and well-travelled for the foreseeable future.
Buoyed by the healthy start to the year, Contracts Manager Pete said the following:
*“We are always looking to invest and push the business forward, whether that’s the three new team members we have taken on in the workshop or the two new forklifts that have been placed on order.
“We want to do whatever is needed to keep meeting the requirements of our valued clients. The new guys have really settled in well and are already producing good work, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they will progress in the coming months.”*
The Cotswold Decorative Ironworkers office team is on hand from 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday.
Visit the website www.cdis.uk, email enquiries@cd-ironworkers.co.uk, or call 01608 685134 and speak to Lynda, who has been with CDI for over twenty years. Utilise their wealth of experience for your next fencing or gates project.
