Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Almost 2,500 visitors attended the DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools at Earls Court in London this week, a drop of about 500 on last year’s figures.
Although the figure is lower last year’s, Brintex say they are pleased to report that a record number of key buyers made it to Earls Court 2.
James Murray, exhibition director commented: “We’re not disappointed, we’ve pulled in a high quality audience and good business has been done and will be done following the show.”
The show enjoyed some real high points; the new ‘Sales Improvement’ sessions were well received, with visitors joining in with group discussions after each session. Some exhibitors (Olympia Tools, Feed ‘n’ Leave and Waspinator) even enjoyed a moment of fame on Monday as their products appeared on ITV’s This Morning with TV presenter David Domoney.
And the show’s annual New Product Awards, sponsored by BMJ, DIY Week and Hardware & Garden Review, were also well received, with the judges singling out some great new products for the industry’s attention.
The winners were:
Hand tools
Gold: Faithfull Fence Post Shaper
Silver: Olympia Tools Roughneck anti-shock hammer, Kamasa’s Off-Line trowel kit, Tubtops from Faulks.
DIY and hardware
Gold: Everbuild Roll ‘n’ Stroll flooring protector.
Silver: STV Revolver mousetrap, Mould-It Easi Step’n’Carry, Kosmos wheelie bin covers.
Garden products
Gold: ASP bird table camera
Silver: Group 55 Strikeback fly killer for wheelie bins, Stadium Group Kanga apron.
Decorative products
Gold: Blackfriar ecolibrium range of garden furniture finishes
Silver: ICI Hammerite Metalmaster, ICI Polycell Basecoat Complete, Akzo Nobel Sandtex Power Roller.
Power tools and accessories
Gold: Laser Tools’ 12v pressure washer
Silver: Kinzo Pro Plus screwdriver, Evolution Tools for both the Rage 3S mitre saw and the Rage 4 multi-purpose saw.
The judging panel included both retail and wholesale buyers including Michael Baulf of Lanes of Cheddar, Jeff Abbott from Abbotts DIY in Ottery St Mary, and Neil Hoy of Mica UK.
