Do it Best Group recognized its 2026 Vendors of the Year during 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,” said 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

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTS, SUPPORT & SERVICES SUPPLY CHAIN EXCELLENCE Halex Company

LUMBER & BUILDING MATERIALS EXCELLENCE Diablo Georgia-Pacific Gypsum 2026

Vendors of the Year — Department Awards

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 2026 AWARD WINNER

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,” added 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.”

About Do it Best Group

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, the Do it Best Group is the world’s largest hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. We support thousands of independently owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Partners in the company have the flexibility to operate under the Do it Best, True Value, or their own local store identities, offering a diverse range of branding options to best serve their communities. For more information, visit doitbestonline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.