On Sep 9, 2024, NKBA California Capital Chapter President, Gloria Clark and Sponsorship Chair, Carrie Boesch sat down for an interview with Ferguson team members Corey Benham, Donalyn Hellar and Sarah George. In it we gained some important insight into who they are and who they want to be regarding their relationship with NKBA, the industry, and their customers. Sarah and Corey are both showroom consultants and have been with Ferguson for over a decade combined. Donalyn oversees marketing and events for the Northern California district which includes 14 showrooms!

Ferguson is a company with a wonderful reputation in the industry which stems from their strong company values. They value teamwork and camaraderie among the employees, and it shows: In the showroom, consultants really work together to problem solve, and to give designers and consumers alike the best possible experience and outcome.

Ferguson empowers designers to do unique things in our industry. They believe that nobody expects more from them than they do from themselves. From management to support staff, everybody at Ferguson goes the extra mile for the customer. Ferguson puts customers, designers and trade partners first, and it shows: Ferguson employees are given the freedom to go the extra mile for their customers.

Ferguson’s commitment to sustainability sets them apart in the industry. Not only do they provide California certified products, but in 2024 they were awarded the Energy Star Award for being leaders in the production and sale of energy-efficient products and services. From the corporate level down, Ferguson is focused on the environment and sustainability. They have a fleet of electric trucks to deliver all their wonderful products and they host CEU events to highlight and educate the industry about current sustainable products as well as products that are new to the market. In an ever-evolving industry, Ferguson feels it is important to provide a space for teaching the new Cal Green Codes and requirement as well as other environmental products. Ferguson is committed to teaching their sales force on how to assist clients and specifiers with Zero Energy Home readiness. Another thing Ferguson does is invite their consultants to use the products in their homes. You know when a consultant makes a recommendation, they can truly speak to its energy efficiency and its efficacy.

NKBA impacts Ferguson’s business positively because of the focus on networking. Together we build long lasting relationships that prove to be valuable for all parties involved. The consultants feel that being involved in NKBA is a wonderful way to get your foot in the door with customers that become long term relationships. The relationships are partnerships whether it's a large or small firm. The partnership is key to the success of all involved. One example of this partnership is the use of the NKBA directory to neutrally recommend people in the industry for whatever the customer may be looking for.  It is a simple tool that makes NKBA invaluable to Ferguson and the consumer.

NKBA California Capital Chapter wants to support our sponsors as best we can. Ferguson appreciates the support, and that they get to be spotlighted. Sarah had a great suggestion to find a way to highlight all the people who are involved in making a design come to life. One way NKBA does this is through our team members in the design competition. Designers know that we don’t do this work without a lot of help, and we want to give credit where credit is due. We will continue to think up ways to showcase our wonderful partners like Ferguson in the directory and elsewhere. Ferguson is also open to hosting smaller lunch-and-learns for designers and their teams to showcase appliances and products. It doesn’t have to be something already on the calendar. What a wonderful service and way to get your team up to speed on what’s happening in the market.

The benefits of partnering with Ferguson are almost endless. They are one of the most comprehensive showrooms in the industry and they have locations Nationally, including Alaska and Hawaii. The team does everything from displaying and promoting to installing. They back up their products with a service commitment and they have a massive supply in distribution. They are an asset to our association and our individual businesses. Because of their reach, they are able to get their hands on products and problem solve supply issues with ease. The national and regional distribution centers are the cornerstone for the consultants to be able to move quickly to combat any problem that may arise on a particular job. Build.com, owned by Ferguson, is a wonderful resource, but as specifiers we shouldn’t stop there. Use the consultants to be a second set of eyes. They will make sure we are ordering everything we need. The website should be used as a collaborative tool, which is in line with their company value of teamwork. They are engaged with the clients, making sure they have the best experience possible. It truly is an innovative and personal approach to doing business in our web-based world.

When asked the question, “Would you recommend joining NKBA?” Corey said, “[Joining NKBA] has grown my business, why wouldn’t it grow yours?” Making new relationships in your business is always a benefit. At NKBA California Capital Chapter, we value our relationship with Ferguson, and we are excited to show them off to our chapter. We are honored to recognize their contributions to our industry.

Written by Kate Davenport