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.