14 | HIREANDRENTALNEWS | NOVEMBER 2013

INDUSTRY IN FOCUS

Victorian Temporary Fencing, a division of the Lee Fencing Group based in Victoria, has relocated to new premises four times the size of its old site after out-growing its previous site.

The company had increased its stock holdings and needed a bigger factory and workshop to enable on site equipment repairs and maintenance, as well as providing safer storage and more clearly defined work and factory areas to facilitate good workflow.

According to Damian Lee, Managing Director of Victorian Temporary Fencing, the new site features a one way drive through facility; waiting and loading bays and all new facilities.

“We are in the same suburb we started in, Preston. We moved in December last year and while the factory itself was an ideal size it needed refitting and remodeling. We had to bring in new power and water and build all the amenities and offices as well as the lighting and ventilation and wash down bays. We even had to start by clearing off the old rubbish from the site.

“Before we began the refit, we brought in a ‘Lean’ consultant who showed us how to streamline our business and processes and systems to reduce handling and increase productivity.

“The streamlining allows us to know where our product is at any one time

Temporary fencing grows up Often considered a necessary evil and treated with total disregard and contempt by end users, temporary fencing has come a long way since its introduction in Australia less than 20 years ago. What many people don’t realise is it is actually a sophisticated piece of equipment with many facets; engineered and designed to withstand wind loadings and the elements all the while protecting job sites and the public from straying into dangerous zones as well as offering space to display promotional and advertising materials. Here Victorian Temporary Fencing Managing Director Damian Lee talks about the company’s recent relocations as well as describes the biggest issues in the temporary fencing market.

and whether to repair, scrap or rehire it. Everything is documented.”

Victorian Temporary Fencing’s product line-up includes Pool Safety Fencing, Chain Link fencing; Ground Control Barriers; and Timber Hoarding.

“Most councils insist on pool safety fencing when building pools. Our fencing passes all Australian Standards and includes a gate with a self-locking mechanism. We also offer chain link fencing (diamond pattern). It is our original and older type of temporary fencing. Chain Link fencing does the same job as welded mesh panels which are square welded sheets of mesh.

“When temporary fencing started in Australia about 15-18 years ago, everyone offered chain link fencing. Slowly that has changed to welded mesh fencing. The original chain link model is a cheaper line and while we keep maintaining our panels, we will not replace them and eventually we will phase that line out.

“We changed over to welded mesh panel fencing about 10 years ago and at the time, we changed over our whole panel design; we went for a heavier duty, slightly smaller panel with a pipe frame double the size. It is more durable and strong and more difficult to destroy. Their longevity is good compared to the old chain fencing.

“Nowadays, 99% of temporary fencing comes out of China. We held onto our manufacturing for as long as possible but we bowed to cost strictures and now we have them manufactured offshore to Australian Standards.

“My brother is on the Board of Australian Wire Industry Association (AWIA) and the Temporary Fencing Industry Association is an umbrella group of AWIA.

“Temporary fencing if not done right and to Standard, can actually

be quite dangerous. When we realised there was no Standard for the industry we developed and wrote the Australian Standard for temporary fencing with three other major players to ensure we were protecting our industry and market.

“One of the biggest issues I see in the temporary fencing market is reluctance for end users to see temporary fencing as a piece of hire equipment of any great value. Most end users see it as a necessary evil. The contempt with which it is treated is amazing. Temporary fencing panels with footers and blocks and clamps each cost approximately $100. When you factor in the meter age of fencing requirements, that’s a big cost.

“We find a lot of clients want it written into the hire contract they won’t pay for damaged or lost fencing stock. Temporary fencing is often moved by different people when it is on a job site so it’s common for pieces of it to go missing. And that’s probably the second biggest issue in the temporary fencing industry; lost and missing stock.

“We might go out to pick up 1000m of temporary fencing placed 12 months previously. We’ll find some is stacked here and some is stacked over there. We reconcile the stock and send the client a bill for the missing equipment. It’s amazing how quickly the missing stock is found once the client receives the bill for its replacement.

“Hoardings are the second biggest part of temporary fencing. Hoardings are a solid timber fence which is great for advertising or promotional use.

“Timber Hoarding is a necessity for construction and demolition sites to prevent dust and debris travelling outside the site and to protect pedestrians. It is fast and easy to assemble on site and offers flexibility; panels can be removed to enable access on site and then returned to protect the public. Certified engineered computations are also available.

“Event fencing is the same as the heavy duty mesh fencing but it is always the newest stock. The oldest event stock goes straight into the construction fencing stock. Event stock has smaller VTF branding

Temporary fencing at the Cox Plate in Melbourne

Ground Control Barriers are for people protection during special events

NOVEMBER 2013 | HIREANDRENTALNEWS | 15

INDUSTRY IN FOCUS

Often considered a necessary evil and treated with total disregard and contempt by end users, temporary fencing has come a long way since its introduction in Australia less than 20 years ago. What many people don’t realise is it is actually a sophisticated piece of equipment with many facets; engineered and designed to withstand wind loadings and the elements all the while protecting job sites and the public from straying into dangerous zones as well as offering space to display promotional and advertising materials. Here Victorian Temporary Fencing Managing Director Damian Lee talks about the company’s recent relocations as well as describes the biggest issues in the temporary fencing market.

so it is less obtrusive and allows the client to utilise the fencing for event or sponsor promotion.

“We have about 7-8kms of pedestrian barriers or crowd control barriers which we also rotate through events and construction sites (newer for events and older stock for construction sites). Ground Control Barriers are for people protection during special events and are also perfect for cordoning off restricted areas.

“The flexibility and simplicity of temporary fencing is one of the greatest aspects of the product. You don’t need specialised tools to move it and it will keep honest people out. It is not intended as a high security solution.

“We find there are a lot of players in the temporary fencing market that have product outside the Australian Standard specifications. Most people miss the fact we put up a fence designed to Australian Standards and with wind loading ratings.

“We often find clients and end users don’t take into consideration the wind loading factor when they’re hanging banners and promotional materials onto their hire fencing. They don’t realise they are taking away from the engineering of the designed product. For example, shade cloth or advertising material can create a sail area. We work hard at the point of sale to understand the clients’ needs and hanging requirements so we can load the fencing appropriately.

“While normal temporary fencing has a block and panel and clamp when wind loading the fencing it needs counter weighted bracing to add safety and stability to the fencing panels.”

The new Victorian Temporary Fencing location is 2 Chifley Drive, Preston.

Contact 03 9484 4544 or visit: www.leebrosfencing.com.au HR

Timber Hoarding is a necessity for construction and demolition sites to prevent dust and debris travelling outside the site

Ground Control Barriers are for people protection during special events

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