For Immediate Release
November 18, 2008

Long-time Ferguson veteran assumes leadership role for Ontario region of Wolseley Canada

NEWPORT NEWS, VA. - - Ferguson Vice-President and District Manager Paul Kennedy has been appointed to lead Wolseley Canada’s Ontario Region. Kennedy will retain his current responsibilities in Ferguson’s North Central District. Kennedy’s new leadership role in Canada furthers the integration of Ferguson and Wolseley Canada.

Kennedy has been in the industry since 1988 and joined Westburne Supply in 1995 in Bemidji, Minn. He joined Ferguson in 2001 as a part of the Westburne acquisition. Kennedy has held numerous key roles and performed various functions within the company, including: Branch Manager, General Manager, Regional Sales manager and Regional Manager.

“I am excited about the great opportunity in Ontario, as well as working with our Ontario management team. I look forward to getting reacquainted with many former friends and colleagues from the Westburne days,” said Kennedy.

###

Meridian
Canada’s valve specialist provides solutions for valve, valve actuation, pipe, fittings and flange needs.  Meridian, the valve and valve actuation specialty division of Wolseley, carries a wide range of both commodity and special service valves.

Meridian is part of Wolseley Canada, a market leader in the wholesale distribution of plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, engineered pipe, waterworks, fire protection, pipes, valves and fittings and industrial supplies products.  Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, the company operates over 250 branches across Canada.
 
Wolseley Canada’s parent company, Wolseley plc, is based in the UK.  Publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, Wolseley is in the FTSE 100 index of listed companies.  As the world's largest distributor of plumbing and heating products, Wolseley plc is also a leading supplier of building materials, lumber products, industrial pipes, valves and fittings to the professional market.  Globally, the company operates in 27 countries with a total workforce of approximately 74,000 employees.

Wolseley creates enhanced value by leveraging the strengths of our individual businesses, developing our business diversity, and creating innovative solutions to meet our customers’ changing needs.