It’s been just a week since the housewares industry was getting ready to find out who the winners of the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2023 were, and since then, those who took home trophies have been reflecting on their wins.
Emails and calls of thanks, shock, excitement and celebration have been flooding in since the housewares industry came together at last week’s glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster London.
“It’s always an honour to receive a nomination at the Excellence in housewares awards, and winning this year is testament to our great team,” said Claire Smith, senior buying account manager, branded kitchen, SDA, bathroom, utility & pets, Next, who won the award for Excellence in online retailing.
“Special thanks to Leah Forbes-Morris, Emily Ryder, Emily West and Martin Robinson. Additionally, I want to thank our network of esteemed suppliers, whose unwavering support contributes significantly to our ongoing success.
“Congratulations to all those nominated and fellow winners.”
Woodbridge Kitchen Company took home the Excellence in Retail Display – Independent. Co-owner, Paul Venediger, commented: “It’s a tremendous honour to be awarded this accolade as it really reflects the unseen teamwork that goes into making our windows and displays attractive and welcoming.
“Good window displays don’t happen by accident and to win this award, especially in the company of such strong independent retailers, is fantastic news.”
Mohamed Hajat, head of sales, Burton McCall, who won the Top Tool or Gadget award, told us: “We are so thrilled and proud to have won an award for Microplane two years running, after winning the Icon award last year we can only thank all our customers for continuing their support and recognising the quality, innovation and continuous development of the brand in the new stylish Black Sheep Series of graters. Watch this space for more exciting developments in 2024.”
Joseph Joseph’s co-founders Richard and Anthony Joseph, added: “We are delighted to win the Excellence in Home Organisation Award for our FridgeStore collection. We are passionate about designing useful products that solve everyday problems, and the recognition of this award and incredible feedback from customers about the range means the world to us – thank you.”
Neil McIntosh, country manager UK, The Cookware Company, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the new GreenPan Elite SDA range won the prestigious ‘Plugged-In’ award. This means so much to The Cookware Company both in UK and globally to be recognised for the first extension of our PFAS-Free nonstick coating outside the cookware category.
“At GreenPan we want all consumers to have the choice of healthy cooking without the risk of PFAS, that’s exactly why we have expanded into small domestic appliances (watch this space for a second range in 2024).
“In September, this year we also entered another category with the launch of our new unique ceramic PFAS-Free GreenPan Bakeware range.
“We are honoured to be recognised by the industry judging panel, congratulations to all other very deserving winners and finalists and special thanks to the event organisers for staging another wonderful evening.”
