Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/449123
WORLD FENCE NEWS • FEBRUARY 2015 • 79 The American Fence Association has launched its Blue Ribbon Contrac- tor program, and announced details of the standard. Blue Ribbon Contractors are those AFA companies that demonstrate the highest ethical and professional stan- dards and that are actively engaged for the advancement of the profession. A company's designation as a Blue Ribbon Contractor gives it a clear path to differentiate the firm from others in the business, including use of the logo on the web site and in print. Blue Ribbon Contractors will be recognized annually at the FENCE- TECH shows. Prospective Blue Ribbon Con- tractors must meet seven mandatory requirements and at least three addi- tional qualifiers. The mandatory requirements are: • Minimum of the last three un- broken years AFA membership. • Agrees to adhere to the AFA Code of Ethics. • Must be a licensed fence con- tractor (if applicable) in their state. Contractor in this context should be defined as someone who is actively engaged in the business of installing fence products on a daily basis as the main business of the company. It is not meant to eliminate a contractor that makes material sales to other con- tractors or the public. • Attends local chapter meetings (at least two per year). • Must have a Certified Fence Pro- fessional (CFP) on staff (must be cur- rently certified). • Minimum of five years active and current involvement in the fence industry. • No officer of the company shall have been convicted of any felony. The additional qualifiers prospec- tive contractors can meet are: • Have a Certified Automatic Gate Operator Installer (CAGOI) on staff (must be currently certified). • Attended FENCETECH each of the last two years. • Attended at least three training seminars in the past year. • Current employee who has com- pleted a Fence Training School. • Represented the AFA by speak- ing to an organization outside the in- dustry on the benefits of using AFA contractors. Organizations could in- clude architects, engineers, local or state governments, etc. • Have received awards or rec- ognition as a business or community leader for professionalism. • Have contributed to community or charitable projects. • Have participated in AFA na- tional or chapter projects. • Employee has served as chapter officer or director within the last five years. • Employee has served as an AFA committee member within the last three years. • Employee has served as an AFA mentor. Blue Ribbon Contractors: The standard of excellence THE FENCELINE IS HERE TO HELP Looking for something? Need to know in a hurry? Use the World Fence News FenceLine product locator service! Call 800-231-0275 from the U.S. & Canada.