Phil sets Benchmark with awards double

Benchmark Building Supplies Ltd, which has a major depot on the Mossley-Saddleworth border, carried off two of the eight awards at the inaugural Pride of Tameside business awards.

The firm, which has its headquarters in Audenshaw, has six trading depots across Greater Manchester.

Benchmark was named the first Business of the Year and managing director Phil Brown won individual recognition by winning the Business Person of the Year award in a lavish ceremony in Dukinfield Town Hall.

The awards attracted more than 100 entries from firms big and small across the borough, from new start-ups and innovative launches to multi-national companies.

Phil said: “I felt extremely honoured to be chosen as the Business Person of the Year but what really made the evening was Benchmark winning the most prestigious Business of the Year award.

“That is a tribute to the whole Benchmark team whose excellence and hard work has brought success in a highly-competitive market during a difficult economic climate. We compete against the likes of Travis Perkins and Dewsons, but because we’re not part of a national chain we are able to react a lot easier to market conditions — we are quick on our feet.”

Benchmark employs 64 staff at six depots within the M60 ring with a seventh due to open later this year.

In 15 years, it has become the largest independent builders’ merchant in Greater Manchester.