Despite the slumping American housing market, Wolseley plc is on track to double in size every five to 10 years on sales growth of 15 percent a year, CEO Chip Hornsby told the Daily Press of Hampton Roads, Va.

The bulk of that growth will come in North America, as Wolseley's divisions in the United States—Ferguson Enterprises and Stock Building Supply—and Wolseley Canada continue to aggressively pursue mergers and acquisitions, the newspaper reported.

Wolseley has spent nearly $3.3 billion on acquisitions during fiscal 2006, which ends July 31.

Ferguson CEO John Stegeman said the three North American divisions will focus on areas with the fastest return of profit-renovating showrooms, building regional distribution warehouses and another string of acquisitions.

The three divisions could be combined into a single entity that would share back-office operations, Stegeman said, adding that the company will also explore whether to consolidate its various brand names.

“We want to act like one company,” he said. “Whether that means becoming one operating company hasn't been decided.”

“We haven't done nearly enough to get recognized,” Hornsby added. “We're far from a household name from a consumer standpoint.”

Wolseley ranked first in INDUSTRIAL DUSTRIBUTION's 2006 Big 50 list of distributors, with 2005 sales of $20.5 billion.