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Do it Best Group recognized its 2026 Vendors of the Year during its 2026 Fall Market, celebrating supplier partners whose exceptional products, service and collaboration continue to strengthen independent hardware stores, lumberyards and home improvement businesses across the country.
The annual awards recognize vendors that demonstrate excellence in areas such as sales growth, supply chain performance, product innovation and customer support. These partnerships play a vital role in helping Do it Best Group retailers remain competitive, expand their product offerings and better serve the communities that depend on them.
“Our vendor partners are essential to the success of our independent retailers,” says Jason Stofleth, chief merchandising officer at Do it Best Group. “These awards recognize companies that consistently go above and beyond to deliver innovative solutions, reliable service and meaningful opportunities for growth for both our co-op and our members. We’re proud to celebrate their contributions and the important role they play in helping our members and retailers succeed.”
2026 Vendors of the Year — Top Honors
- Overall Sales Growth: Scotts Miracle-Gro
- Supply Chain Excellence: Halex Company
- Outstanding Products, Support & Services: Diablo
- Lumber & Building Materials Excellence: Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
In addition to the top honors, Do it Best Group recognizes outstanding vendor partners across individual merchandise departments. These awards celebrate suppliers whose products, service and dedication contribute to the continued success of independent retailers.
Department Awards
- Building Materials: Simpson Strong-Tie
- Building Materials (Direct): PrimeSource
- Decorative Plumbing: Superior Pump
- Electrical (Rough): Klein Tools
- Electrical (Decorative): Energizer
- Farm, Ranch & Pet: Tenax Corporation
- Grills, Coolers & Outdoor Entertaining: Broil King
- Hand Tools: Channellock Inc.
- Hardware: Hy-Ko
- HVAC & Automotive: Erickson Manufacturing
- Home Decor, Appliances, Kitchen & Impulse: Newell Brands
- Home Essentials & Organization: Clorox Home Cleaning
- Holiday, Patio & Outdoor Decor: Lamplight Farms
- Lawn & Garden (Bagged Goods, Chemicals & Pest Control): Sterling International
- Lumber Distribution Partners: Specialty Building Products
- Lumber & Engineered Wood: West Fraser
- Marketing: InteQ
- Millwork & Interior Solutions: Surface Shields, Wolf Home Products, and Metrie
- Outdoor Power Equipment & Generators: Forney Industries
- Outdoor Tools & Watering: Woodland Tools Co.
- Paint, Solvents & Treatments: Spray Planet USA
- Paint Supplies, Caulks & Adhesives: Werner Ladder
- Power Tools & Accessories: Richpower Industries, Inc.
- Rental: Gold Medal Products
- Rough Plumbing: SharkBite
- Sporting Goods & Apparel: Rocky Brands, Inc.
- Store Supplies: KC Store Fixtures
- Structural Panels: Weyerhaeuser
- Global Sourcing: Green Guard Industry Ltd
“This year’s honorees represent the dedication, innovation and collaboration that make our vendor partnerships so valuable,” says Stofleth. “We’re proud to recognize their accomplishments and look forward to building on this momentum as we continue finding new opportunities to grow and succeed together.”
