When people look at a growth chart, it can be easy to miss what actually changed behind the scenes. For East Coast Fencing, the biggest shift happened around 2019–2020. Before 2020, we were predominantly a garden fencing installer working locally around the Clacton and Colchester area. In late 2019 we began focusing more deliberately on supply, and in 2020 we stopped installing altogether to concentrate fully on manufacturing and supplying fencing and timber products. Since making that change, demand has gone from strength to strength. To keep the story useful without sharing commercially sensitive detail, we’re showing the trend as an index rather than listing year-by-year totals. We’ve used 2020 as the baseline (Index = 100) because it’s the first full year of being supply-focused, and it makes the comparison clearer. For 2026, we show a full-year projection so we don’t present a part-year figure as a final result.
Key Statistics at a Glance
- Pre-2020: primarily a local installation business (Clacton/Colchester area), so order volumes look very different.
- 2020 baseline: Index 100 (first full year focused on supply).
- 2025: Index 523.1 in this view, reflecting sustained demand.
- 2026 projection: Index 546.3 (a working projection that will naturally move as the year progresses).
Demand Trend Chart (2020 = 100)
Quick Reference Table
| Year | Demand Index (2020 = 100) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1.0 | Primarily local installation work |
| 2017 | 2.8 | Primarily local installation work |
| 2018 | 3.0 | Primarily local installation work |
| 2019 | 8.0 | Shift towards supply began in late 2019 |
| 2020 | 100.0 | First full year focused on supply |
| 2021 | 201.5 | Demand step-change |
| 2022 | 375.1 | Continued growth |
| 2023 | 435.7 | High demand sustained |
| 2024 | 451.2 | Stable at a higher level |
| 2025 | 523.1 | Strongest completed year in this view |
| 2026 (Projected) | 546.3 | Projected full year |
Why the Pre-2020 Numbers Look Different
It’s important context. Before 2020, we were mainly on the tools, installing fencing locally. That kind of business doesn’t generate the same pattern of orders as a dedicated supply operation. Once we began targeting sales in late 2019, and then fully stopped installations in 2020, the business model changed. From that point on, our focus became producing and supplying quality fencing products at a scale that supports projects well beyond our original local patch.
What We’ve Invested In as Demand Increased
Rising demand is only a good thing if customers still get a smooth experience. Our focus has been steady investment in the practical building blocks that make fencing supply work properly.
Product range and stock readiness
Most fencing projects start with fence panels, but a good job depends on the full system. That’s why we keep strengthening availability across the supporting items too, including fence posts, gravel boards, trellis panels and garden gates.
Fair pricing and clear choices
We aim to keep pricing sensible and choices straightforward. Fencing shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. Customers want to match budget to performance, understand what they’re buying, and know the system will work together when it arrives.
Delivery suited to fencing products
Fence panels and timber aren’t parcel-sized goods. They need careful handling and practical planning. Continued demand has pushed us to keep improving the delivery side of the operation, because reliability matters just as much as product quality when customers are booking installers or planning a DIY weekend.
Reputation and repeat custom
We don’t see reputation as something you “announce”. It’s something you earn by doing the basics consistently: good products, fair pricing, and being easy to deal with. A lot of demand growth comes from customers returning for the next run, the next side gate, or recommending us to someone else doing a boundary upgrade.
A Practical Note: Build the Fence as a System
Whether you’re replacing one panel or doing a full boundary, the fence lasts longer when it’s specified properly. Protect the bottom edge with gravel boards, choose suitable fence posts, and use appropriate cement products for strong footings. If you’re adding access, match with garden gates and dependable fixings from our ironmongery range. It’s the difference between “looks alright” and “stays right”.
Looking Ahead
Demand growth brings responsibility. We’ll keep investing in the things that make a difference to customers: strong product ranges, fair pricing, reliable delivery, and straightforward advice. And we’ll keep sharing data-led updates like this using indices and percentages, so customers can see the direction of travel without us publishing sensitive operational detail.