The best of the home improvement and garden industry gathered at the Park Plaza Victoria Hotel in London on Friday, May 11 to recognise excellence across the breadth of the market, from forward-thinking companies to innovative products and inspirational people.

A total of 19 winners were announced on the day, including an overall Judges’ Choice product award and a special Industry Personality of the Year accolade.

The daytime event kicked off with a drinks reception, where guests were able to network with industry friends and colleagues, before sitting down to lunch. Major British comedy talent Marcus Brigstocke entertained the audience before getting the awards presentations underway.

It was a big day for Henkel, who picked up three awards, with its Unibond No More Nails Click & Fix being named DIY Product of the Year, its Unibond Aero 360 Moisture Absorber & Scented Refills going home with gold for Home & Kitchen Product of the Year, and the company also clinching the accolade for Retailer Support Initiative.

Bosch also came out on top in three categories; taking home Electronic DIY Product of the Year for the UniversalInspect while its EasyCut12 was the winner of both the Power Tool of the Year and overall Judges’ Choice award.

Meanwhile, AkzoNobel’s Dulux Roller Tester was honoured as the Decorating Product of the Year, with Dulux also clinching the accolade for Digital Investment for its Visualizer app.

A host of fantastic retailers were also honoured on the day, with D&M Tools of Twickenham named as the first recipient of the brand new Website/Digital Initiative Award. Two Retailers of the Year were also named, with Tool Shop bagging the title in the category for businesses with a turnover below £10million and Bents Garden & Home taking home the award in the higher band.

A special presentation was made to Tool Shop owner Vin Vara, who was named Industry Personality of the Year for his stellar work as BIRA president - a title he handed over to new incoming president Surinder Josan the day before at the annual British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) conference. When nominating Mr Vara for the accolade, DIY Week Award’s judging panel said: “He has worked tirelessly for the association over the years and has raised its profile significantly, gaining serious media coverage and lobbying on the issues that affect its members. Never one to shy away from an opportunity or a challenge, Mr Vara is a regular presence on TV and radio news shows and has become a voice for the independent retailer, speaking out on everything from business rates to acid sales.  As a BIRA president he is arguably the best I’ve ever seen.”

The full list of winners on the day were as follows:

• Hand Tool & Accessory of the Year
  Olympia Tools UK Gorilla Block Buster Bolster
   
• Decorating Product of the Year
  Dulux Roller Tester
   
• DIY Product of the Year
  Henkel Unibond No More Nails Click & Fix
   
• Security Product of the Year award
  Yale Conexis L1 Smart Door Lock
   
• Garden Leisure Product of the Year
  QEP Homelux Colour Changing LED Cube/Stool
   
• Garden Care Product of the Year
  Riverco TradingFrogsuit Wood Treatment
   
• Electronic DIY Product of the Year
  Bosch Home & Garden UniversalInspect
   
• Home & Kitchen Product of the Year
  Henkel Unibond Aero 360 Moisture Absorber & Scented Refills
   
• Power Tool of the Year
  Bosch Home & Garden Easycut 12
   
• Retailer Support Initiative
  Henkel
   
• Digital Investment
  Dulux
   
• Judges’ Choice
  Bosch Home & Garden Easycut 12
  
   
• Website/Digital Initiative Award
  D&M Tools
   
• Marketing Initiative Award
  Hafod Hardware #DeliverMagic
   
• Team of the Year
  Axminster Tools & Machinery, Cardiff
   
• Business Expansion Award
  Walton Flooring Centre  
   
• Retailer of the Year Award (turnover < £10m)
  Tool Shop took
   
• Retailer of the Year Award (turnover > £10m)
  Bents Garden & Home
   
• Industry Personality of the Year
  Vin Vara

The luncheon not only served as an opportunity to recognise excellence and innovation across the sector, but also a chance to give something back. A collection was made on behalf of The Rainy Day Trust, with guests helping to raise more than £880 for the charity, which supports the home improvement workforce and their families in times of need. A sale of products entered into the awards and donated by the suppliers will generate further funds for the Trust, with the amount raised to be announced on wwww.diyweek.net soon.

A good day was had by all and networking continued well into the evening, with many guests staying on in the bar afterwards.

The DIY Week Awards was sponsored by The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), Brookes & Co, Burg-Wächter, Decco, Dulux, Everbuild – A Sika Company, GIMA, Henkel, Home Hardware Southwest, Sam’s Trade Direct, Stax Trade Centres and Sterling.

For more information on the DIY Week Awards and to see the full gallery of photos from the ceremony, visit www.diyweekawards.co.uk

A full report of the event, detailing all of the finalists, the winners and why they were chosen, will appear in the June 1 issue of DIY Week