Finding better ways of doing business was the focus of the recent Ridgeons Group 'Meet the Merchant' event and seventh Ridgeons Supplier of the Year Awards.

The independent timber and builders' merchant played host to 30 key suppliers at the day-long event, which was held at the Greenlight Centre of Excellence & Training Academy in Pampisford, Cambridge.

Bringing suppliers together with Ridgeons sales representatives, the event saw suppliers partake in over 300 one-to-one meetings to discuss opportunities for undertaking business more efficiently and effectively, while also furthering working relationships. It also provided Ridgeons with the ideal backdrop to officially recognise suppliers that have provided an exceptional level of service over the last year.

Winners for this years' awards included: Bedec Products for Hardware and Decorating Supplier; Symphony Kitchens for Lightside Supplier; The Keystone Group for Building Materials Supplier; and Meyer Timber for Timber and Sheet Material Supplier.

Simon Barron from Jeldwen took home the Supplier Representative of the Year award, and Reisser received the much coveted Commercial Team Supplier of the Year award.

At the event, Ridgeons managing director Angela Rushforth thanked suppliers for attending and said: "At Ridgeons we are committed to our values: ethical, enterprising, straightforward, supportive and trusted. Our values run very deeply and are key to how we do business with our suppliers and our customers."