Content about Ace Hardware Corporation

June 19, 2013

Las Vegas — Ray Griffith kicked off the Golden Hammer retail awards presentation with a joke: "Does everyone have an hour? I have a long speech." He got an even bigger laugh when he called out a moderator for his use of the word "entertainment" to describe the panel discussion.

But the concepts that Griffith and the other retail honorees shared during the 29th Golden Hammer Awards ceremony held here during the National Hardware Show contained a serious tone as hardware stores appear to be poised to pounce on a swelling industry recovery.

April 16, 2013

The Oak Brook, Ill.-based co-op says it intends to spread the word about the growth of Craftsman products in Ace stores.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware says the rollout of the Craftsman brand across its network of stores has crossed the 2,000 location milestone. 

Since Ace signed a deal in 2010 with Sears to bring Craftsman products to Ace stores, more than 2,000 neighborhood Ace stores now offer a full line assortment of more than 650 Craftsman products, the co-op announced today.

March 22, 2013

The Oak Brook, Ill.-based co-op reported fiscal 2012 revenues of $3.8 billion along with a strong fourth quarter.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. posted fiscal 2012 revenues of $3.8 billion, up 3.6% from the previous year. 

The co-op’s net income of $81.8 million increased 5.3% for the year.

“We are very pleased with our fiscal 2012 results as revenues and net income were both higher than last year and our plan,” said Ray Griffith, Ace CEO, who will be replaced by John Venhuizen as CEO, effective March 31.

March 15, 2013

NEW ORLEANS — The recent marriage of Valspar and Ace Hardware Corp. was by far the most colorful product story at Ace's Spring Convention and Exhibits held here.

Not only were dealers eager to see Ace's paint department vision of the future, they were hungry for details on the incentives in place to retrofit their stores.

One retailer suggested that the Valspar topic boosted attendance at the show. Others on the floor ran the gamut from dealers who embrace the change enthusiastically, to those who want to stay with their existing brands, notably Benjamin Moore.

March 15, 2013

On March 31, John Venhuizen will step from behind the scenes into one of the most front-and-center posts in the hardware business — that of CEO of Ace Hardware Corp. After standing and delivering a motivational presentation to thousands of dealers at the co-op's Spring Convention & Exhibits in New Orleans, he sat down with HCN.

HCN: What worries you as you step into the CEO role?

March 8, 2013

The 86-store Midwest hardware store chain, recently purchased by Ace Hardware, spent the past year planning the new layout.

Among the new design elements of Westlake Ace Hardware’s Bolivar, Mo., location are an open-air entranceway, unique signing and decor, and browse-friendly lifestyle categories situated in the center of the store.

February 27, 2013

The Oak Brook, Ill.-based co-op launched hardwarestoresforsale.com as a listing service for retailers, regardless of affiliation.

A new online tool from Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware is designed to help retailers sell a hardware store or find an existing retail space.

The website -- hardwarestoresforsale.com -- launched in mid-February as a listing service for "all convenience hardware retailers, no matter their affiliation." 

February 20, 2013

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corporation will present “Vendors of the Year” awards at its upcoming 2013 Spring Convention & Exhibits in New Orleans.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. will present “Vendors of the Year” awards at its upcoming 2013 Spring Convention & Exhibits in New Orleans.

The seven vendors were selected based on superior commitment and service to the hardware cooperative, its retailers and customers, according to Ace.

The award winners are:

January 2, 2013

Ace Hardware Corp.’s paint program is going through a major makeover with Valspar stepping up as a supplier and taking over the co-op’s paint manufacturing facilities. 

Ace and Valspar announced a long-term deal, under which Valspar will manufacture and supply Ace-branded paint products to Ace dealers. The companies also announced that Valspar has acquired Ace Hardware’s paint manufacturing assets, including two manufacturing facilities located near Chicago.

December 27, 2012

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware’s recent purchase of the 85-store Westlake Ace Hardware chain -- the co-op’s largest customer -- represented “good offense” and “good defense,” according to the co-op’s message to Ace retailers.

December 18, 2012

Ace Hardware Corp. acquired Lenexa, Kan.-based Westlake Ace Hardware for $88 million.

Westlake was named the HCN 2011 Retailer of the Year, and was featured in the May 2011 issue of Home Channel News. Since 2006, the company was owned by a private equity firm -- Goldner Hawn Johnson and Morrison. 

December 17, 2012

Dating back almost to the Great Fire of Chicago, Stauber’s Ace Hardware turned 140 years old in 2012.

Founded in 1872 by Louis Stauber, a Swiss immigrant, in Chicago one year after the Chicago fire ravaged the city. The store was relocated more than 100 years ago to the Northcenter area of Chicago, where it currently does business today. 

November 29, 2012

Ace Hardware Corp. has recognized six member stores with the company’s second-annual “Coolest Hardware Store” awards.

The six winners, named during Ace’s annual Platinum Conference held recently in Las Vegas, share common traits yet offer local flavor and product selection above and beyond most hardware stores:

November 19, 2012

Ace Hardware Corp. plans to give away a complete room makeover as part of its Merry Paint Makeover design contest.

It works like this: Through No. 26, homeowners can go to Ace’s Facebook page and upload a photo and 100-word description of a room in their house that needs home improvement for the holiday season. 

November 6, 2012

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. has officially been granted a trademark for the phrase “In-store Wingman,” according to Plus Patent News.

The trademark was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Ace has used the phrase to promote its customer service in the past, including in this twitter tweet from May. 

September 17, 2012

Ace Hardware Corp. announced growth and plans for expansion in priority markets across the country.

“Our aggressive, long-term growth strategy features a total package of resources and support to ensure a successful future for our retailers,” said Mike Berschauer, director, retail development for Ace Hardware. “After a prosperous second quarter focused on store activations and conversions, Ace is on track to achieve its goal of opening 170 new domestic stores in 2012.”

September 4, 2012

Ace Hardware president and CEO Ray Griffith announced his plans to retire from the hardware cooperative on March 31, 2013, and the company’s board of directors has named Ace’s chief operating officer John Venhuizen his successor.

Effective Sept. 1, 2012, Venhuizen assumed the role of president, while retaining his existing chief operating officer duties of Ace Hardware Corp. Griffith will maintain his role as CEO until his retirement.

August 10, 2012

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. reported total revenues of $1.071 billion for the second quarter of 2012, up 4.8% from 2011.

Merchandise sales to comparable domestic stores increased 4.3%, in the second quarter of 2012 compared with the prior year. Net income, however, declined to $14.9 million, compared with $34.6 million earned in 2011.

August 10, 2012

Epicor Software Corp. signed a three-year deal with Ace Hardware Corp. that promotes Epicor as Ace’s only recommended point-of-sale solution provider. 

Epicor’s extended deal brings Epicor Eagle business management software to Ace’s retailer owners.

July 18, 2012

Ace Hardware has launched an “Express” format for both current Ace retailers and other business owners seeking to integrate the Ace brand into their existing offerings. The new, more compact stores average 5,000 sq. ft. or less, include customized merchandising displays and stock more than 11,000 of the most popular and profitable hardware products.

June 26, 2012

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. has unveiled the redesigned acehardware.com for consumers.

The website features new functionality designed to greatly enhance the consumer’s online experience, prominently featuring product reviews, tips and advice, store locator, enhanced “My Store” pages and Ace’s “Red Hot Buys.”            

June 4, 2012

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. announced the early redemption of its outstanding 9.125% senior secured notes originally maturing June 1, 2016.  The refinance was driven by the April 13, 2012, closing of a new five-year $600 million senior secured credit facility composed of a new $400 million revolving credit facility and a new $200 million term loan, according to the co-op. 

May 28, 2012

According to an article in The Virginian-Pilot, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp.’s redistribution center at the CenterPoint Intermodal Center is nearing completion.

The facility, which broke ground last June, is described as a 336,000 square-foot import redistribution center. 

May 8, 2012

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. posted total revenues of $908.2 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 6.3% compared with 2011.

Net income was $10.2 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 49.3% compared with $6.8 million in 2011.

March 14, 2012

Ace Hardware Corporation recognized seven vendors for outstanding service to the hardware cooperative, its retailers and customers. 

The companies are: