It’s full steam ahead as we arrive in June already - and it’s all go here at TuffStuff, with all hands on deck for tradeshow season. From prepping our very own TuffStuff Van, to designing standout displays with our excellent TuffStuff stockists, the team have been hitting the road, hard at work, and gearing up for this month's main event at the NEC this July.
From graft to gear, there’s plenty to catch up on! So grab yourself a brew and let's get down to business behind the scenes.
Built for the Road, Kitted for the Job
With TuffStuff taking to the road, we welcomed our newest member of the team and labour of love: the official TuffStuff Demo Van.
Much like rewiring an old building, the van was a real project. Starting with a blank canvas and needing a full makeover, the TuffStuff vision was to turn the Transit into a fully branded mobile unit for shows. With this in mind, the new van was designed to be practical enough for transporting kit but smart enough to represent the brand on the road- and we cracked on.
Luckily, the talented Mark from B.Spoke Limited and Kuda Automotive were on hand to spruce the van into shape, with signage, plates, and graphics getting it trade show-standard and ready for action.
The team has already been putting the van to the test at shows and using it as part of the display where possible, and the van itself was even on display at @juiced_automotive 2025 in May.
Show-ing Up: Trade Days and Shows
Tradeshow season has already had the TuffStuff team out and about, showcasing our quality workwear range at trade days and shows across the UK and shaking hands with you, the industry professionals, tradespeople, and loyal customers who make TuffStuff the brand it is.
Doe Show
February saw the return of the legendary Doe Show - a firm fixture in the TuffStuff calendar. Continuing TuffStuff’s long-standing relationship with Ernest Doe, we were proud to be there once again, marking the 65th edition of the show.
As one of the UK’s largest agricultural shows, the event had all the right tools: a buzzing atmosphere, a darts competition (highest score with six darts), a well-stocked bar (of course), and most importantly, a loyal crowd of customers.
In good old British style, the weather didn’t hold back. It was a proper wet one, but every cloud, as they say - that only gave our waterproof gear the perfect chance to show what it’s made of- quite literally!
NMBS Exhibition
April started strong with a real power week for the brand at The NMBS Exhibition in Coventry. Armed with an upgraded layout, the TuffStuff stand turned heads, giving us the perfect platform to showcase not only our tradewear favourites, but also trial a few exclusive product previews.
A big event for the brand in terms of volume and visibility, it's safe to say our gear hit the mark. There was strong engagement from merchants across the board, and plenty of valuable conversations with new trade contacts. The kit spoke for itself and all in all, the day was a success for the TuffStuff team.
WorkSafe Direct Open Day
To round up a busy April, Kevin and Mark hit the road to Corby for an open day with the team at WorkSafe Direct.
From showcasing the TuffStuff range to some friendly (but competitive) rounds of darts, it was a day packed with great conversations and lots of interest. Footfall was strong, the atmosphere upbeat, and the team had some great positive feedback that TuffStuff recognition is really growing- the hard work pays off!
Overall, it was a brilliant visit that left the team on a high-vis high (and not just from the darts scoreboards.)
A TuffStuff Showcase: Shop Installs
In between the bustle of tradeshows and catching up with stockists, the TuffStuff team has been putting on their visionary hats and giving retail spaces a serious upgrade, with a mixture of quick touch-ups and full branded bay refits.
One standout example is the recent refit at Sam Turner and Sons, a long-standing agri merchant in Yorkshire. In safe hands with our trusty RSM for the North, Paul Elliott, the remerchandise was a solid transformation, giving the TuffStuff space a revamp that put the gear front and centre, right where it belongs.
The team have also been working on an exciting number of brand-new display installations to NMBS members across the country, including:
Scotland IBT (Innes Building Timber) - Scotland, by Shona McDermott, our RSM for Scotland.
LBP (Leicester Building Plastics) - Leicester by Mark McGovern, our RSM for the Midlands.
Nicholls and Clark Install - Romford, Essex by Stewart Carter, our RSM for the South East.
For TuffStuff, these aren’t just shelves and wall fittings; they’re a workwear showcase. It’s all about helping our stockists make the most of their shop floor and giving TuffStuff real in-store presence that lets the gear do the talking.
The TuffStuff Tour Continues
We may have been busy, but TuffStuff’s time on the road is far from over. With an exciting events schedule ahead, if you want to catch the TuffStuff team, get involved, or get your hands on the latest gear, here's where you can find us this July:
The Eurosafe Show
When? 18th & 19th June (trade only)
Where? Celtic Manor
A key date in the calendar, join us and the best independent PPE, Safety Work Wear and equipment distributors in the UK and Ireland.
The Installer Show
When? 24th and 26th June
Where? NEC Birmingham
Our ‘main event’ and arguably, our biggest of the year. Expect exclusive event offers, new product launches, live demos, giveaways, and even a boxing machine if you fancy testing your strength!
The Great Yorkshire Show
When? 8th – 11th July
Where? Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate
We’re rounding things off in July at the Great Yorkshire Show, where we’ll be teaming up with Industrial Workwear, showcasing TuffStuff in true countryside style. Come by, say hello, and see what TuffStuff is all about.
Visit the TuffStuff Team
Whether you’re planning to visit us at an upcoming event or just want to check out what’s new, we’d love to see you getting involved. But we know tradespeople are flat-out busy, so if you can’t make it in person, no stress, you can explore the full TuffStuff range anytime, from the comfort of your home (or van) on our website.
