Ferguson Enterprises Inc. reduced its workforce by about 30 employees at its Newport News, Va., headquarters and area branches—attributing the layoffs to the slowdown in the general housing market.

Those who were let go at the corporate headquarters included some who worked in the company accounting center as well as area branches that sell to contractors.

Ferguson's parent company, Wolseley plc, ordered all its subsidiaries to look at ways to cut costs, Ferguson spokeswoman Denise Waters told The Newport News Daily Press.

“Sales are up. We're doing well,” said Waters, “but Wolseley as a whole is responding to difficult housing conditions.”

Ferguson's sister company, Stock Building Supply, laid off about 2,000 workers nationwide in January.

It wasn't all bad news for Ferguson, though, as the company announced that it will open a 12,000 square-foot showroom in Honolulu this month, featuring appliances, designer lighting, plumbing fixtures and bath accessories.

“Selecting products for a new home or major remodel can be an overwhelming task,” said Sam Rose, the company's national showroom manager. “We never want to lose sight of the fact that we are an important part of helping people build their homes.”

Wolseley was ranked first on Industrial Distribution's 2006 Big 50 list of distributors. The company had $20.8 billion in sales for 2005.