GATES AT THE HEART OF CDI’S SUCCESS

Cotswold Decorative Ironworkers, the Warwickshire blacksmiths specialising in producing a range of steel estate fencing, field gates, ornamental bridges and tree guards for rural and urban environments is celebrating 40 years in business with founder Hughie Powell at the helm.

CDI is a long-standing supplier to the National Trust and work with garden designers and landscape architects across the country. Twenty years ago, one such garden designer, Rupert Golby, provided an original gate that would form the blueprint for our signature designs. Derivations of it in a well-stocked range of sizes and heights underpinned the forward momentum of the business.

CDI’s range of Park and Estate Fencing, various sizes of Tree Guards and bespoke made Bridges combine the traditional elegance of the wrought iron era and the modern techniques needed to provide a lifelong product.

However, field gates based on the Golby blueprint lie at the heart of the business – over fifteen hundred gates in various heights and sizes were produced in 2022. Through the years our gates have been supplied and installed in a full range of locations including royal gardens, country estates, city and rural streets and high-end housing developments. They are in the Republic of Ireland, France and Belgium, and as far afield as Australia, Japan, and the USA.

“We have a reputation for innovation. The latches on our field gates are unique. We provide an animal catch of our own design so gate latches can’t be lifted by stock or a specialized latch for bridal gates that can be opened from horseback” says Hughie Powell.

“We keep large stocks of fencing and gates in various heights, styles, sizes and widths at our base at Marsh Farm. We respond to enquiries quickly at a competitive price including bespoke projects when they arise.’’

CDI fencing is based on meticulous research from books illustrating traditional designs, refined and improved over many years of installation experience.

Hughie continues: “Most of the top quality original mid-19th century fencing was continuous bar – like ours is – there are no nuts and bolts or sharp steps down on uneven ground – although to save money hurdle fencing would have been made by the local Blacksmith in the village nearest to the estate that wanted it.”

“Continuous bar fencing is aesthetically more pleasing and adapts well to challenging ground and contours. It will curve, sharply if necessary, avoiding square corners and unsightly stepping when the ground around slopes, it is made, specifically to follow the natural flow of the ground.

“CDI Fencing is painted on site using an etch primer initially – enabling the paint to grip the galvanised surface of the steel- then top coated in a colour of the clients choosing. To paint off site, prior to installation would risk superficial surface damage to the materials during loading, delivery and installation. The standard colour is black, but anthracite is popular too.”

Gates, tree guards and bridges can be delivered in whatever colour our clients want. We have 2 indoor paint shops and team of people ensuring the products are prepared and finished to a high standard.

“Our continuing success in the harsh trading environment of recent times is down to competitive pricing, the quality of our product, flexibility, on-time delivery and is all underpinned by large stocks in many sizes of gates and fencing at Marsh Farm to fulfil those major contracts.”

Pete Boulton, ContractsManager says “Orders look buoyant. We have a contract for 1,500 metres of deer park fencing in South Oxfordshire, specially commissioned gates and posts in Herefordshire, and continuous work with blue chip home building firms in Essex, Cheshire, Devon. Somerset and Buckinghamshire.”

Visit our website at www.cdis.uk to inspect our range and then ring us on 01608 685134 and speak to one of our knowledgeable office team. Email: enquiries@cd-ironworkers.co.uk