Hughes Supply MRO and Equity Residential Enter Into Strategic Partnership

Breadth of Product Offerings, Superior Delivery Model and Convenient Ordering Cited 


ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 17  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hughes Supply Inc. (NYSE:HUG), a leading distributor of construction, repair and maintenance- related products, has announced a multi-year, strategic partnership with Equity Residential, the largest publicly traded owner, operator and developer of multifamily housing in the United States.

"We are focused on building value for our shareholders, residents and employees by fully leveraging our scale, and delivering outstanding products and services to our properties," said Michael Manelis, Senior Vice President, Equity Residential.  "Hughes Supply's national footprint in maintenance, repair and operations, combined with their reputation for superior customer service, is a complementary fit for our organization and all of our stakeholders."

"We are very excited at the opportunity to work with Equity Residential. Their reputation for quality is well-known throughout the industry," said Tom Starnes, President, Hughes Supply MRO.  "Our partnership will allow Equity Residential to take advantage of our unique buying power, specialty services and customized reporting as well as our friendly, customer service attitude and solid expertise."

Two major advantages in working with Hughes MRO are breadth of product offerings and superior delivery model. With items in ten different product categories that can be shipped same or next-day, Hughes MRO is able to provide Equity Residential with the products they need quickly and efficiently. Hughes MRO stocks more than 6,000 maintenance products, including plumbing, electrical, appliances, hardware, window coverings, HVAC, janitorial and lawn and garden.

Another benefit Equity Residential will enjoy is convenience of ordering. Hughes MRO's all-inclusive catalog showcases products, monthly specials, custom invoicing, 10 fabrication centers, 14 regional customer care centers, quick fax ordering, and a dedicated team of renovation specialists. Hughes MRO also has the largest selection of mini blinds and vertical blinds in the industry.

About Hughes Supply, Inc.

Hughes Supply, Inc., founded in 1928, is one of the nation's largest diversified wholesale distributors of construction, repair and maintenance- related products, with over 500 locations in 40 states. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hughes employs approximately 9,600 associates and generated revenues of $4.4 billion in its last fiscal year ended January 31, 2005. Hughes is a Fortune 500 company and was named the #1 Most Admired Company in America in the Wholesalers: Diversified Industry segment by FORTUNE Magazine. For additional information on Hughes Supply, you may visit http://www.hughessupply.com/.

About Equity Residential

Equity Residential, an S&P 500 company, is the largest publicly traded apartment company in America. Nationwide, Equity Residential owns or has investments in 922 properties in 32 states and the District of Columbia, consisting of 195,575 units. For more information on Equity Residential, please visit http://www.equityresidential.com/. 

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DATASOURCE: Hughes Supply, Inc.



CONTACT: Lauren Brey, Director, Corporate Communications of Hughes

Supply, Inc., [phone], or 



Web site:  http://www.hughessupply.com/

http://www.equityresidential.com/ 

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