Cork Builders Providers, Togher has been named overall winner of the Octabuild Award for Excellence 2026. The company also secured the Munster Regional Award.

The awards were presented on 1 October at the Mansion House, Dublin, at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Jacqui Hurley. More than 350 guests from the builders merchant and construction sectors attended, with guest of honour Minister Jack Chambers TD congratulating the winners and recognising the sector’s contribution to employment, communities and Ireland’s construction industry.

Selected from four regional winners, Cork Builders Providers impressed judges with its strong leadership, exceptional customer service, product availability and commitment to developing and promoting staff. They also highlighted its continued investment in innovation, digital services and sustainability.

The expanded 2026 programme introduced awards for sustainability, digital excellence, supporting Irish business and unsung heroes, alongside recognition for emerging talent.

Guest of honour Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation congratulated the winners and all those recognised at the Awards: ‘Builders merchants play an important role in Ireland’s construction sector, supporting economic activity, employment and communities across the country. These Awards are an opportunity to recognise the businesses and people who contribute to the strength of the sector and its continued development.

‘Octabuild’s member companies each have a strong manufacturing base in Ireland, supporting jobs and helping to strengthen the Irish supply chain serving our construction industry. I commend Octabuild for its continued commitment to recognising excellence across the sector and congratulate all of this year’s winners, finalists and everyone who took part.’

Stakelums Home & Hardware, Thurles won both the Sustainable Business Excellence Award and Digital Excellence Award for businesses with 1–5 branches. Chadwicks Robinhood Road received the Digital Excellence Award for businesses with 6+ branches and the Octabuild Supporting Irish Award, sponsored by Guaranteed Irish.

The Rising Star Award went to Sarah Topley of Haldane Fisher Lisburn, while Billy McIvor of Murdock Builders Merchants received the inaugural Unsung Hero Award.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dan Twomey of Cork Builders Providers, honouring his contribution to the sector over almost five decades.

Octabuild Chairperson Mike Glennon said this year’s awards attracted a record number of entries, reflecting strong engagement from builders merchants across Ireland. He congratulated the winners and acknowledged the effort of every business and individual who took part.

The independent judging panel comprised Phil Derby, Steve Collinge, Brian McIntyre and Lorraine Higgins.

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