Ferguson announced that an agreement of merger with John H. Frischkorn Jr., Inc. was signed on Oct. 31, 2005. The anticipated closing date was Nov. 30, 2005.

Headquartered in Richmond, Va., Frischkorn is a distributor of pipe, valves and fittings, engineered sealing devices, process instrumentation, control valves, biopharm equipment and services, and coatings and technical chemical products. The company has 17 locations throughout Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland and Kentucky. The company reports approximately $100 million in annual sales and 212 associates.

A company statement said, “This acquisition will strengthen Ferguson's commitment to the Commercial/Industrial Business Group through Frischkorn's focus and expertise in the industrial PVF market. Frischkorn has been in business for over 70 years and has developed exclusive relationships with certain vendors. The merger will provide strategic alignment with these vendors and customers and greatly increase Ferguson's presence in the industrial process marketplace.”

The agreement is conditional upon approval by the Frischkorn Employee Stock Ownership Plan.