News
Frostproof Will Get Ferguson Enterprises' Distribution Center
Published: Friday, November 21, 2008
"The Friendly City" of Frostproof lands regional distribution center.
FROSTPROOF - "The Friendly City" of Frostproof so impressed the United States' largest distributor of plumbing supplies that the town is now the home of its Southeast regional distribution center.
Ferguson Enterprises Inc. was in the market for a centralized location in Florida when it came upon 86 acres for sale in the center of the Sunshine State. The company broke ground last August to construct the 545,000-square-foot center that begins shipping in October.
"We just received our occupancy certificate and are very excited about being here in Frostproof," said Stacy Hackworth, the facility manager for the Southeast Regional Distribution Center.
"Frostproof is blessed to be able to partner with such a reputable company," said Tenny Croley, Frostproof's city manager. "The building of the distribution center provides a diversity of employment and increases the opportunity for the employment to the community."
The distribution center will serve Florida (excluding the Panhandle), Puerto Rico, and up the East Coast to Savannah and Charleston, providing plumbing supplies, appliances and tools to customers through Ferguson showrooms. Polk County has a showroom in Winter Haven and four additional Ferguson dealers.
Ferguson is ranked by trade publications as the largest distributor of plumbing supplies and pipes, valves and fittings and the third-largest distributor of heating and cooling equipment. It is owned by Wolseley, an international distributor of heating and plumbing products.
The company is also known for its customer service, according to Chip Hornsby, CEO of Wolseley.
"If we make our associates happy, they'll make our customers happy," is a saying he is known for.
"There are all kinds of great customer service stories,'' said Amanda Wroten, external communications coordinator for Wolseley. ''Like one where a Ferguson employee used her own truck after work to deliver a bathtub to a customer after the initial delivery earlier in the day was incorrect."
Hackworth said the regional distribution center will provide a shorter lead time for the Florida customers, who are currently served by an Alabama center.
The distribution center will employ 100 clerical and warehouse workers.
For more information, please contact:
Anita Whitaker, LEDGER CORRESPONDENT
Tagged: new business spotlight, ferguson