ACE Hardware

Description
Since 1924, Ace has been known as the helpful hardware place by both customers and communities. For its first 50 years in business, Ace was privately held. In 1976, Ace became a retailer-owned cooperative. Each store is independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs who, many times, live in the communities they serve. Today, Ace is the largest retailer-owned cooperative and clear leader in the convenience segment of the hardware industry in terms of wholesale and retail sales and strength of the brand. Ace’s 4,600 stores in all 50 states and more than 60 countries generate annual retail sales of approximately $12 billion. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and 3 internationally. Ace employs approximately 4,500 corporate team members worldwide and has four regional offices, located in Raleigh, N.C; Atlanta, Ga.; Denver, Colo.; and Woodridge, Ill. The following are some recent recognitions for Ace: *In 2012, Ace ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Stores Six Years in a Row,” according to J.D. Power and Associates. *In April 2008, Ace ranked in the top 10 of Crain’s Chicago Business list of “Chicago’s Largest Privately Held Companies *Ace has received the #5 or #6 spot on the Franchise Times list of top 200 franchises since 2006. *In April 2008, Ace ranked in the top 10 of Crain’s Chicago Business list of “Chicago’s Largest Privately Held Companies