Muddskip earned three of the building industry’s top product honors at the 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, winning Best in Show, Most Innovative Tool and Best Construction Product.

For drywall contractors, finishers and project managers, the recognition centers on a system designed to fundamentally change joint compound finishing workflows. Muddskip introduces a rehydration technology that converts conventional joint compound into a high-performance finishing product, enabling wet-on-wet application and eliminating sanding.

According to the company, the system can reduce wall-finishing time by 50 percent or more. By allowing subsequent coats to be applied without traditional dry times, contractors can compress cycle times and reduce return trips—an immediate impact on labor productivity and schedule coordination across large multifamily, hospitality and commercial projects.

Muddskip’s wet-on-wet capability reduces drying and wait times by 50 to 75 percent, depending on environmental conditions and whether automated tools or hand tools are used. For field crews, this can translate into fewer mobilizations, tighter sequencing with painting trades and improved throughput per crew.

The elimination of sanding also removes a major bottleneck in Level 4 and Level 5 finish workflows. Reduced sanding means less cleanup, lower dust migration into adjacent spaces and fewer punch-list callbacks tied to surface imperfections revealed under critical lighting.

The company’s rehydration process allows finishers to achieve smooth, workable surfaces without mechanical abrasion. In practical terms, this reduces airborne silica and gypsum dust associated with traditional sanding operations, supporting safer jobsite conditions and minimizing containment requirements in occupied renovations.

Less sanding also mitigates risks tied to over-sanding, paper face damage and edge fuzzing, which can compromise joint durability and aesthetic performance.

Muddskip reports improved tensile strength and increased flexibility compared to conventional applications, reducing cracking, peeling and delamination. Enhanced mold and mildew resistance is also cited as a performance benefit, particularly relevant in high-humidity assemblies and fast-track construction where moisture management is critical.

When used with Muddskip Finisher & Conditioner, the company states the system delivers exceptional impact resistance and stronger seams. For contractors working in schools, healthcare and high-traffic commercial environments, seam durability is directly tied to lifecycle costs and warranty exposure.

With patented bonding strength, the product can be applied over a broad range of substrates, including concrete, wood, plaster and painted surfaces. That flexibility may reduce the need for multiple specialty compounds across mixed-scope renovations and tenant improvements.

As crews continue to face labor shortages and pressure to accelerate schedules without sacrificing finish quality, tools that compress drying cycles and reduce rework are drawing increased attention. Recognition at IBS 2026 signals growing interest in technologies that improve finishing productivity while addressing dust control and jobsite health.

The company also has a new initiative called "It’s the Little Things that Matter," built on that same idea, but focused on the people behind the work. The program was formed in memory of Randy Cross, Collin Cross and Drake Hardison, three individuals described as representing the craft, the entrepreneurial drive and the technical mindset found across the trades.

For more information, visit itsthelittlethingsthatmatter.org.

For more information, visit muddskip.com.