Ferguson acquires Jones Stephens

“Jones Stephens will operate as it has,” Ferguson CEO Kevin Murphy told Supply House Times. “This includes operations, sales and distribution practices, and we will leverage supply-chain, sourcing and marketing capabilities to help grow the business.” Photo courtesy of Ferguson

Ferguson recently announced it has acquired plumbing master distributor Jones Stephens from parent company World and Main. The transaction closed Aug. 13.

Jones Stephens will continue to operate under its same name from its Moody, Alabama, Pottsville, Pennsylvania and Southern California facilities. Existing Jones Stephens leadership will remain in place.

“Jones Stephens will operate as it has,” Ferguson CEO Kevin Murphy told Supply House Times. “This includes operations, sales and distribution practices, and we will leverage supply-chain, sourcing and marketing capabilities to help grow the business.”

Murphy said the acquisition fits perfectly within Ferguson’s growth platform. “We see tremendous value in the Jones Stephens business model,” he said. “The market is changing faster than it ever has and we do not anticipate the pace of change to slow. We are deeply invested in and committed to wholesale distribution and the independent rep network as a valuable path to market. This acquisition further strengthens the wholesale-distribution community and the independent rep network in the face of significant outside market influences.”

Murphy noted Jones Stephens “is a well-known and respected brand with market credibility, visibility and industry support.”

“The acquisition allows us to expand our customer base, further develop our product strategy and continue to support wholesale-distribution customers and independent reps.”

Murphy sees continued bright skies ahead for Jones Stephens. “We will invest in Jones Stephens’ professional brand, product offering and capabilities to better serve all its customers,” he said. “The partnership offers opportunities to sell a wider breadth of product to MRO distribution, plumbing wholesalers and building supply customers. Additional investment allows for innovation and new product development to meet growing customer needs.”

The Jones Stephens acquisition continues Ferguson’s recent growth trend. The national distributor acquired four companies in July, including Lexington, Kentucky-based Brock-McVey.

This article was originally posted on www.supplyht.com.

Source: Ferguson

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Mike Miazga (former group editorial director for BNP Media’s Plumbing Group) is now the vice president of sales/membership at the American Supply Association (ASA). Supply House Times is proud to be the official publication and brand of the ASA — a relationship that spans more than a decade.

Mike’s relationship with BNP Media and the Plumbing Group continues today. He now writes a monthly ASA-focused column for Supply House Times and acts as an editorial consultant to BNP Media’s Plumbing Group.

In his 10-plus years at BNP Media, Miazga was senior editor of Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer before taking over chief editor duties at Supply House Times in 2011. In addition to his role as editorial director, Miazga continued as Supply House Times chief editor and the editor of the American Supply Association’s PVF Outlook eNewsletter. He also enjoyed three stints as PM Engineer’s chief editor, holding dual roles as Supply House Times and PM Engineer chief editor on two occasions.

Miazga started his career in newspapers at the age of 19 and has more than 25 years of newsroom, management, editorial and public/media relations experience, and is a former high-school baseball and golf head varsity coach. Mike and his family are still based out of the Chicago area (with ASA Headquarters in Itasca, Illinois). You can reach Mike at PlumbingGroup89@gmail.com.