Ferguson Enterprises is supplying the PVF for a new $900 million Nissan facility under construction in Canton, Miss. The proximity of Ferguson's distribution center in Fulton, Miss., and immediate product availability were major factors in winning the PVF portion of the contract, according to Tony Akers, president and general manager of Ferguson's Jackson, Miss., facility.

With construction nearing completion, Nissan has already announced it will break ground on a $500 million expansion to the facility in late January or early February 2003. When expansion gets finished, the plant will be the largest auto manufacturer in the U.S. Even while construction is underway on the expansion, Nissan will begin manufacturing cars in the original building next June.

Akers said that his branch is also expanding to accommodate new business. A new showroom and counter in Jackson are projected for opening next month.