Forest Garden received the honour in recognition of a world-leading fully automated manufacturing process it created for fence panels, which cuts production time by 70%.

“Whilst innovating the manufacture of fence panels may not seem particularly exciting, in our sector it has been nothing short of revolutionary,” said Guy Grainger, Forest Garden CEO.

“To have successfully introduced a new panel suitable for automation into our market, alongside replacing a traditional manufacturing process with ground-breaking high-speed automation, are achievements of which we are particularly proud.”

By fully automating the manufacturing process, the company has reduced panel production time by almost 70%, improved production margins, and enabled its UK-sourced and manufactured products to compete with imports.

Automation has also delivered a more uniform, quality product and increased the business’s ability to meet storm-driven surges in fencing demand.