2008 Award Categories and Winners

(BEST TRAINING INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR): Host Andrew Castle with winner, Kellaway Building Supplies’ managing director, Julian Milligan and Steve Drummond, regional sales manager of category sponsor, Worcester, Bosch Group.. (BEST TRAINEE OF THE YEAR): Andrew Castle with winner Richard Cosgrove of EH Smith Builders’ Merchants and Steve Durdant-Hollamby commercial director of category sponsor, Aco Technologies.
(BEST BUILDERS' MERCHANT SHOWROOM): Bathroom showroom manager, Jean Skellett of Jackson Building Centres, receives the award from Russell Hollins, channel director - built-in of sponsor, Hotpoint, with host, Andrew Castle, left. (BEST BUILDERS' MERCHANT HARD LANDSCAPING DISPLAY): Hugh Guntrip, branch manager Ridgeons (Sudbury) accepts the award from Mike Pearce, director of sales, stockists and regional contractors of category sponsor, Bradstone and host, Andrew Castle. Mr Guntrip was a runner-up for Builders’ Merchant Manager of the Year in 2007.
(BEST BUILDERS' MERCHANT WEBSITE): Host Andrew Castle and category sponsor Graham Bond, managing director of Builders’ Merchants News, present winner David Berry, managing director of C&W Berry, with the award. (BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE BY A BUILDERS' MERCHANT): Julian Milligan, managing director of Kellaway Building Supplies receives the award from Trevor Applegate, sales director of category sponsor, Triton Showers and host, Andrew Castle.
(BEST BUILDERS' MERCHANT MARKETING INITIATIVE): Mark Mallinder, marketing manager of EH Smith, collects the award from Tom Tong, sales and marketing director of Finnforest UK and host, Andrew Castle. EH Smith was the winner of this category in 2007 with its Bricksmith online brick specification and selection service. (BEST BUILDERS'MERCHANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR): Sean Furlong of EH Smith Builders’ Merchants (Cannock), is presented with the award by Craig Allan, the chief operating officer of category sponsor, TradePro Card Services.
(BEST INDEPENDENT BUILDERS' MERCHANT OF THE YEAR, ONE-TO-FIVE BRANCHES): David Berry, managing director of C&W Berry, accepts his award from from Graham Smith, sales director of sponsor, Brett Martin Building Products and host, Andrew Castle. (BEST INDEPENDENT BUILDERS' MERCHANT OF THE YEAR, SIX BRANCHES OR MORE): Bill Acton, managing director of MKM Building Supplies, is presented with the award by David Woolford, UK sales manager - national accounts of sponsor, Lafarge Plasterboard.
(BEST NATIONAL BUILDERS' MERCHANT OF THE YEAR): Plumbing Trade Supplies’ managing director Alan Ball receives the award from Graham Boyd, sales director - packed products of sponsor, Castle Cement. (BEST SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR): Steve Dunkley, sales and marketing director of Hunter Plastics, is presented with the award by David Osborne, head of marketing, Stanley UK Sales and this year’s host, Andrew Castle.
(BUILDERS' MERCHANT ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR): Ron Walker, managing director of Heating Plumbing Supplies is pleased with his award, presented by Wendy Trott, commercial director of category sponsor, Hanson Building Products and this year’s host, Andrew Castle. (BEST BUILDERS' MERCHANT ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE): Alan Ball, managing director of Plumbing Trade Supplies, receives the award from Michael Beard, sales and marketing director of sponsor, Superglass Insulation.
(BUILDERS' MERCHANT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD): Kenneth Smith, chairman of EH Smith Builders’ Merchants accepts the award from Matthew Carter sales director of category sponsor, H+H UK. Mr Smith’s speech acknowledged and thanked the people who have worked for his company over the years. LUNCH IS SERVED. The main ceremony followed, with 15 different award categories.
Group shot of winners and finalists of the Builders’ Merchants Awards for Excellence 2008.