Buffalo has been awarded Best Garden Product at the 2026 Hardware Association Ireland Innovation Awards, held during the Irish Hardware Show, the premier trade event for Ireland’s hardware and building materials industry.
The judges recognised the innovation of Buffalo’s Tuff-Lok bracket, the overall quality of the brush range, and the space-saving design of the metal brushware retail display stand — a product and display designed specifically with the trade in mind.
“This award is a significant achievement for Buffalo and reflects our commitment to delivering durable, reliable, and value-driven products for both professionals and retailers,” commented a Buffalo spokesperson.
The spokesperson went onto say “We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to ATKO Group for showcasing Buffalo at the Hardware Association Ireland Show and representing the brand so effectively. Their support was instrumental in putting our products in front of the right audience and helping secure this recognition.”
Gary Auld at ATKO commented “We were excited to bring Buffalo to this year’s Hardware Show, introducing customers and potential new partners across Ireland to a genuinely top‑class product. Since taking on exclusive distribution in Ireland in late 2025, the range has gained significant momentum and is now on display in many of the country’s leading hardware stores.”
Attendees were able to view the brush range with Tuff-Lok brackets and the metal brushware stand, which is provided free with the recommended stock fill, helping retailers maximise sales ahead of Spring 2026.
Retailers interested in stocking Buffalo’s award-winning range can contact:
· UK enquiries: Jameson Hopkins at Wilsons of Colchester www.wilsonscolchester.com
· Ireland retailers: Gary Auld, ATKO Group Ltd, www.atkogroup.co.uk
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About Buffalo
Founded in 2017 by three brothers (Ivan, Gary and Angus Hopkins) with deep roots in the hardware wholesale industry, Buffalo Trade Tough was born from a simple realisation: key trade products on the market weren’t delivering the quality professionals needed.
Our journey began with plungers. Frustrated by inconsistent performance and poor durability, we set out to create a plunger that truly worked. The result was Buffalo’s inaugural range—quickly recognised for its superior quality and now available in stores nationwide.
Building on this success, Buffalo Trade Tough launched its brushware range in September 2023, designed after extensive research into the real-world pain points faced by tradespeople. The range has since taken the market by storm, offering retailers innovative, space-saving display solutions for a traditionally difficult category, and delivering consumers professional-grade products without the usual frustrations.
Central to the range is Buffalo’s Tuff-Lok™ bracket—a secure, heavy-duty mounting system engineered to be virtually unbreakable. (We know—because we’ve driven over it ourselves.)
With decades of combined industry experience, the three Buffalo brothers have meticulously engineered products that prioritise strength, usability, and longevity. Buffalo Trade Tough is proudly built for tradespeople, professional DIYers, and homeowners who demand trade-quality performance at home.
