AFI RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS VALUE
The AFI is receiving an increased number of calls from clients, tier one contractors, utilities companies and suppliers with reference to the use of the AFI logo and if the contractors they are using are members.
This change from 12 months ago is showing the increases awareness of customers across the board on wanting fencing to be correct and installed by a reputable contractor with association backing if anything should go wrong.
Recently a call from a customer and supplier, about the same company, lead to the exposure of a fencing company Metro Lane Fencing @ E3 4FG that was using the AFI and other industry logos fraudulently, but on further examination by the AFI team it proved that the contractor had just duplicated all content, apart from swapping their logo and bits of text, from an AFI members site.
Alan Cunningham ABC Fencing commented ”I could not believe it when the AFI called me and asked if I owned this fencing company as their website was as near a copy as possible of mine and was displaying the AFI logo!” Alan continued “Having been a member of the AFI for many years I have always valued what the AFI stands for, pushing the industry to be recognised as a professional industry. I realise the frustration on red tape and regulations but if we want to keep rogue traders out and give assurances to the clients, we must make sure as an industry we are delivering the required levels of compliance. I know that the AFI represent fencing across many areas impacting fencing for the good of the whole industry and without their help we would be worse off. This is just one example of the respect and value that people outside fencing give associations that they were contacted to check if companies are legitimate, and thankfully this one got caught!
AFI are actively examining websites of old and lapsed members and demanding the removal of their intellectual property from sites as they no longer conform to the associations code of practice and values so protecting the end users.
Pete Clark at the AFI said ”We encouraged our members to use the AFI logo to show that they are a professional organisation and share our values to progress the industry in standards of work, safety and recognise fencing as professional, highly skilled occupation that it is.
We are also working with Trading Standards to highlight our members to end users, with the use of the AFI logo to gain competitive advantage, but when not a member our log use is breaking “The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) as well as making fraudulent claim. The AFI logo is not a logo that can be bought, and contractors have to qualify for membership, that if breached will result in the AFI’s backing being withdrawn.
The AFI also offer the Certified Contractor Scheme on various levels to further enhance the activities of a company beyond just membership, this is now annually verified and we are looking at independent verification as major contractors are requiring added assurances for specific perimeter requirements that membership to a professional body gives.
Chris Hackett said “The AFI board is very pleased that we are generating the recognition that fencing requires. Some of the unsung lobbying being done has resulted in fencing still operating outside of the compulsory CITB levy in the rest of construction, increase in DEFRA FG grant schemes in fencing, being expert witnesses, wining court cases against poor contractors, defending members on client complaints when installations are correct, increase in the apprenticeship grant again for 2024. AFI is also showcasing the industry with the UK Fencing
Awards and its commitment to education with techniques at the Best Practice Days. I am looking forward to the continuation of AFI progress and recognition in 2024. With more end user calling us it just shows we are now becoming an organisation that is truly for all fencing.
For further information on the AFI visit www.afiorg.uk
