Elevating Industry Standards

The 2026 Builder’s Merchant Awards will once again see NMBS and Toolbank unite as joint sponsors of the Tool Display / Showroom of the Year category. Dean Hayward, head of sales and marketing at NMBS, explains more.

Awards play an important part in all industries.

Beyond their kudos and their ability to recognise and celebrate the achievements of their eventual winner, awards serve as a catalyst for lasting and positive industry-wide change.

They highlight new innovations. They enable the sharing of knowledge and expertise. And they inspire and encourage businesses across the board to elevate their standards and raise their game.

Given this role in facilitating excellence, NMBS’ longstanding support of the Builder’s Merchant Awards is perfectly aligned to our purpose.

Since our formation, we have been focused on advancing the merchanting sector through the provision of support and services that enable our members to grow, develop and maximise their success.

Toolbank, our partner in sponsoring the awards, shares a similar commitment.

An NMBS supplier for over 30 years and a leading distributor of tools, accessories and hardware products to merchants since 1972, Toolbank is intent on shaping a future every bit as impressive as its past.

As such, a belief in continuous improvement is very much part of its organisational DNA.

A WINNING PARTNERSHIP

Sponsoring the Builder’s Merchant Awards remains a natural decision for NMBS and Toolbank alike. Continuing to back the Tool Display / Showroom of the Year category in particular also makes absolute sense.

Arguably, no business knows tools and what it takes to sell them like Toolbank. As the largest hand and power tool wholesaler in the UK and Ireland, it stocks more than 36,000 products from over 250 well-known and well-respected brands.

This includes products from manufacturers like Makita, DeWalt, Metabo, Stanley, Irwin and HiKoki to name but a few.

Through a network of 12 strategically located warehouses and its own specialist distribution and logistics operation, it delivers 98% of orders next day to 12,000 customer outlets.

For NMBS, opting to sponsor the Tool Display / Showroom of the Year category alongside Toolbank is symbolic of how importantly we value our supplier partnerships and of how we work together with suppliers for the benefit of the wider merchanting sector.

EXCELLENCE ON SHOW

Our continued choice of sponsored category also reflects our recognition of the fact that tool displays and showrooms are a good litmus test of overall quality.

Tools are ubiquitous. From general builders, roofers and plumbers to joiners, decorators and electricians, every trade needs and uses tools on a daily basis.

Tools are also an investment. The tool distribution market is worth over £1.3BILLION and on average, tradespeople spend £1,110 per year on the purchase and maintenance of these vital pieces of equipment.

Thanks to this significance and universal nature, tool displays in one form or another can be found in most merchants.

Logic would also suggest that if a merchant is willing to invest into new innovations and best practice here, they will do the same across other areas of their business.

An exceptional tool display or showroom is usually indicative of a company-wide commitment to excellence.

On behalf of NMBS and Toolbank, I would like to wish all of this year’s entrants the very best of luck.

I’d also like to say thank you. Your willingness to push boundaries, explore possibilities and raise standards means that ultimately, and in the long run, we are all winners.