Enter the Awards

Entering the Builders’ Merchants Awards 2024 is a great opportunity to reward the hard work of your company, colleagues and teams across the last 12 months. Nominations can come from anyone in the industry, should you wish to nominate your own company or indeed a client.

Each category has it’s own criteria which should guide your submission, but across the board the judges will be looking for clear evidence in the form or data and/or supporting testimonials. The word limit for all submissions is 850 words and you can you can upload any further documentation in the Supporting Material section. Please reference accordingly in the text box e.g. Please see Appendix 1. 

You will also be asked to complete a separate max. 250-word summary of your entry which will be used not only to aid the judging but also as an example of best-practice should you be a finalist or awarded as a winner.

Bathroom and Kitchen Showroom of the Year

Nominations for Bathroom & Kitchen Showroom of the Year should include details of bathroom and/or kitchen showrooms updated, created or re-designed since October 2023. The judges will be looking for innovation, design and clear evidence of successful results, both quantitative and qualitative.

Nominations should include

  • The objectives for the new showroom
  • Why the merchant chose to update the display area and any costs involved to the business
  • Details of how the displays were created
  • Information on the results achieved and how these reflected the original aims of the project, such as positive customer feedback, increased sales or increased customer numbers.

Sponsored by

Best Customer Service of the Year

The judges will be looking at builders’ merchant customer service initiatives for the period commencing October 2023 to the present day, whether as part of the business overall or specific service agreements with particular customers.

Nominations should include

  • Explanations of why the company decided to introduce fresh initiatives
  • What these initiatives were and how they were implemented
  • Details of the success of the initiative and the benefits it brought to the merchant, the customer and their relationship should be included

Sponsored by

Branch Manager of the Year

The judges will be looking for an exceptional branch manager who has introduced new strategies and initiatives to boost its branch sales and/or reputation since October 2023. Consideration will also be given to branch managers who have invested in improving staff training/morale to create a more cohesive branch within the business. These initiatives can include sales and marketing strategies, new product lines or staff training schemes.

Nominations should include

  • Specific information on why the manager decided to introduce new strategies/ initiatives
  • What these initiatives were and how they were implemented
  • Figures and statistics to demonstrate the benefits to the business

Sponsored by

Builders’ Merchant of the Year 1-5 Branches

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant with between 1-5 branches that has most successfully developed and improved its business since October 2023. What new initiatives were implemented? Why was this work carried out? How did the merchant improve the customer experience? What new trading channels or branch upgrades were introduced?

Nominations should include

  • Comprehensive details of how these new initiatives were able to boost merchant sales and/or brand awareness
  • Evidence on how these results were measured
  • Feedback the merchant got from customers and/or suppliers as a result of the initiatives

Sponsored by

Builders’ Merchant of the Year 6-20 Branches

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant with between 6-20 branches that has most successfully developed and improved its business since October 2023. What new initiatives were implemented? Why? How did the merchant improve the customer experience? What new trading channels or branch upgrades were introduced?

Nominations should include

  • Comprehensive details of how these new initiatives were able to boost merchant sales and/or brand awareness
  • Evidence on how these results were measured
  • Feedback the merchant got from customers and/or suppliers as a result of the initiatives

Sponsored by

Builder's Merchants of the Year 21-50 Branches

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant with between 21-50 branches that has most successfully developed and improved its business since October 2023. What new initiatives were implemented? Why? How did the merchant improve the customer experience? What new trading channels or branch upgrades were introduced?

Nominations should include

  • Comprehensive details of how these new initiatives were able to boost merchant sales and/or brand awareness
  • Evidence on how these results were measured
  • Feedback the merchant got from customers and/or suppliers as a result of the initiatives

Sponsored by

National Merchant of the Year 51+ Branches

The judges will be looking for a national merchant with 51+ branches that has most successfully developed and improved its business since October 2023. What new initiatives were implemented? Why? How did the merchant improve the customer experience? What new trading channels or branch upgrades were introduced?

Nominations should include

  • Comprehensive details of how these new initiatives were able to boost merchant sales and/or brand awareness
  • Evidence on how these results were measured
  • Feedback the merchant got from customers and/or suppliers as a result of the initiatives

Sponsored by

Civils Merchant of the Year

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant that focuses on civils that has most successfully developed and improved its business since October 2023. The judges will be looking at those merchants who have created or improved their civils-related services. This category is open both to merchants who specifically categorise themselves as drainage and civils merchants AND merchants who have focused on this section of their wider business this year.

Nominations should include

  • Details of new initiatives or new product ranges that the merchant is stocking
  • Evidence of how the merchant believes this has helped it to boost its business
  • Specific work it has done to categorise itself as an expert in this area of the merchant sector
  • Claims should be backed by quantifiable data such as sales figures and/or customer testimonials

Sponsored by

Community Initiative of the Year

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant who has gone the extra mile to give back to their local community since October 2023. They will be looking for merchants that have helped to improve their local community through sponsorship, by raising money, donating materials, or by otherwise helping those in need. They will look at builders’ merchants who have given staff time during working hours to engage with and boost community projects, or who have united with others to help the community recover after an unexpected event.

Nominations should include

  • Details of the projects involved
  • Specifics of the work the merchant and its staff members have carried out
  • How this has had a positive impact on the community at large

Sponsored by

Diversity and Inclusion in Merchanting

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant that has fostered a strong culture of inclusion where differences are welcomed. They will be looking at the positive implications that this has had on the business, it’s people and the sector as a whole. This can have been achieved either at a local or national level. Entries covering the time period from October 2023 to present will be considered.

Nominations should include

  • Details of strategies, initiatives or projects to promote diversity and inclusion in merchanting
  • Testimonials from staff or customers
  • Details of the impact of the initiative and the benefits it brought to the merchant and, if applicable, its customers and the wider community

Sponsored by

Hard Landscaping Display of the Year

The design and construction of merchants’ external hard landscaping displays are the focus of this category. The judges will examine the techniques employed to display hard landscaping products to their best advantage in order to boost sales and improve the customer experience - from October 2023 to present day.

Nominations should include

  • Details of why the merchant chose to create the display in that format
  • How the display was implemented?
  • Any market/customer research conducted
  • Any positive impact the display has had on the company’s overall trading figures.

Sponsored by

Health and Safety Initiative of the Year

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant that has forged ahead to increase the awareness and prevalence of Health and Safety within their business. This could focus on safety in branch, safety at height, site safety and mental health awareness from branch level to HQ and senior levels. This can be achieved at a local or national level. Entries covering the time period October 2022 to the present will be considered.

Nominations should include

  • Details of the initiatives and projects involved
  • Specifics of the work the merchant and its staff members have carried out
  • How this has had a positive impact on the company Guidance

Sponsored by

Heating and Plumbing Merchant of the Year

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant that focuses on heating and plumbing that has most successfully developed and improved its business since October 2023. The judges will be looking at those merchants who have created or improved their heating and plumbing services.

Nominations should include

  • Details of new initiatives, or new product ranges that the merchant is stocking
  • Evidence on how the merchant believes this has helped it to boost its business
  • Claims should be backed by quantifiable data such as sales figures and/or customer testimonials.

Sponsored by

Lifetime Achievement Award

For this prestigious award the judges will be looking for the person who, during their career, has made the greatest contribution to their business and to the merchant industry as a whole. A true role model for colleagues across the industry.

Nominations should include

  • A brief outline of the person’s career to date
  • Examples of how their hard work and dedication has had a positive impact on the sector as a whole
  • Evidence and testimonials to support their success throughout their career

Sponsored by

Lightside Showroom of the Year

Nominations for Lightside Showroom of the Year should include details of hand, power tools showrooms updated, created or re-designed since October 2023. The judges will be looking for innovation, design and clear evidence of successful results, both quantitative and qualitative.

Nominations should include

  • The objectives for the new showroom
  • Why the merchant chose to update the display area and any costs involved to the business
  • Details of how the displays were created
  • Information on the results achieved and how these reflected the original aims of the project, such as positive customer feedback, increased sales or increased customer numbers.

Sponsored by

Marketing Initiative of the Year

This category focuses on marketing initiatives that merchants have used to improve their customer numbers in branch, brand awareness in their local areas or sales figures in branch, that have been implemented since October 2023.

Nominations should include

  • Clearly defined details of the project, its aim and objectives, how these were implemented and the costs involved
  • Why the business decided to carry out the initiative and the tactics used, e.g. advertising, public relations/publicity, merchandising, direct mail, events, sponsorship, sales promotion, etc.
  • Details of the resultant benefits the initiative has brought to the business, such as increased customer numbers, brand awareness and/or sales figures.

Sponsored by

Merchant Achiever of the Year

The judges will be looking for the person who, since October 2023, has worked tirelessly towards making a major contribution to their company’s business, going above and beyond what is expected as a normal part of their role. This person must work for a merchant.

Nominations should include

  • Details of the individual’s achievements (what they've done and how they've done it)
  • Evidence on how this has benefited the business or branch as a result.
  • Testimonials from colleagues and customers

Sponsored by

Online and Digital Stategy of the year

This category considers digital initiatives and strategies that have been put in place by a builders’ merchant and that have added value their business since October 2023, whether through online sales channels, digital monitoring or data usage that has actively proven to increase turnover. This can include websites, digital sponsorship, social media targeting and investments in existing digital platforms.

Nominations should include

  • The initial aim of the strategy and how it was implemented
  • How they have increased sales or encouraged repeat purchasing
  • Figures to show how it has been successful to date and whether the project has fulfilled its initial aims
  • Where possible, links to the digital initiative & strategy concerned should be included so judges can visualise for themselves.

Sponsored by

Supplier of the Year

The judges will be looking for a supplier or distributor that has most invested in research, technical and commercial innovation, relationships and strategic marketing specifically to give its merchant customers a competitive edge. Judges will look at the period commencing October 2023 to the present day. Suppliers may nominate themselves or be put forward by their merchant customers.

Nominations should include

  • Comprehensive details of how the supplier was able to boost merchant sales and/or brand awareness
  • Evidence on how these results were measured
  • Testimonials from customers

Sponsored by

Supplier Account Manager of the Year

The judges will be looking for the person who, since October 2023, has worked tirelessly towards making a major contribution to their company’s business, going above and beyond what is expected as a normal part of their role. This person must work for a supplier or distributor.

Nominations should include

  • Details of the significant, positive impact the individual has had on the business through how they work with merchants
  • Details of the individual’s achievements (what they've done and how they've done it)
  • Testimonials from colleagues and customers

Sponsored by

Sustainable/Environmental Initiative of the Year

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant that has improved its sustainable and environmental credentials over the past year. They will be looking at what the company has done to reduce its overall carbon footprint and how the company managed unwanted waste materials. Entries should be considered from October 2023 to present day.

Nominations should include

  • Details of the projects involved
  • Specifics of the work the merchant and its staff members have carried out
  • How this has had a positive impact on the environment

Sponsored by

Timber Merchant of the Year

The judges will be looking for a builders’ merchant that focuses on timber that has most successfully developed and improved its business since October 2023. The judges will be looking at those merchants who have created or improved their timber offering.

Nominations should include

  • Details of new initiatives, or new product ranges that the merchant is stocking
  • Evidence on how the merchant believes this has helped it to boost its business
  • Claims should be backed by quantifiable data such as sales figures and/or customer testimonials.

Sponsored by

Trainee/Apprentice of the Year

This award acknowledges the achievements of an individual newly working within a merchant business. The judges will be looking for individuals who have worked hard to develop their skills through modules and/or vocational training, while also making a demonstrable contribution to their employer’s business. Entries covering the time period from October 2023 to present will be considered.

Nominations should include

  • Details of the training the individual has undertaken
  • The achievements made by the nominee and the hurdles they have overcome
  • What support they have received from the merchant business and how they have impacted the business

Sponsored by

Training Initiative of the Year

This award acknowledges the achievements of a merchant business as a whole, or a specific branch of a merchant business, in developing the knowledge-base of its staff, through internal and external training and investment. Initiatives from October 2023 to the present will be considered.

Nominations should include

  • The company’s objectives for providing the training
  • How the training was carried out and who undertook the training
  • The learning outcomes set for and the different achievements of all the company’s candidates
  • The benefits the training initiative has had on the merchant’s business
  • Figures or testimonials should be included where possible

Sponsored by

If you are selected as a finalist, then you will be allocated a complimentary seat at the relevant category sponsor’s table. With this in mind, by submitting a nomination you agree for a member of the senior leadership team, or the individual nominated, to attend the Builders’ Merchants Awards ceremony on the 29th November