Stock and Ferguson open joint design center

Prosales, Feb, 2005

Raleigh, N.C.-based Stock Building Supply opened the first of several joint design centers with Ferguson Enterprises, its Newport News, Va.-based sister company that distributes plumbing, HVAC, and building materials. The Carrboro, N.C., design center offers working displays and professional design assistance for a full array of Stock and Ferguson products, including kitchens and baths, decking, floor covering, lighting, appliances, windows, siding, and more. By combining product with service offerings, the 8,200-square-foot center provides a one-stop shop for professional contractors and realtors to refer their customers for design selection. "Our customer-focused goal is to let builders and realtors concentrate on their areas of specialty and save them the expense of maintaining similar design centers in each area where they operate," said Gary Robinette, executive vice president of Stock, in a company announcement.

Stock also announced recently that it has joined the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the remodeling industry's sole national trade association.

Stock Building Supply (www.stockbuildingsupply. corn) has more than 236 locations in 26 states with reported fiscal year 2004 sales of $3.6 billion. Ferguson (www.ferguson.com) has more than 865 locations in 49 states with reported fiscal year 2004 sales of $5.9 billion. Both companies are owned and operated by Reading, England-based Wolseley plc.