Training & Support

Strength In Numbers
Products
How To Do It Yourself
What's It Take?
Who We Need
Investment & Financing
FAQ's
Owner Testimonials
About Ace
About Us
Ratings & Awards
International
Shop Ace
Listen Here!

Featured on the "Franchise

Show", Vice President of
Business Development, John
Venhuizen.

Click Here
to learn more about the Ace
opportunity!

Store Site Available!

New Construction...
Leased Premises...
Immediate Occupancy!

Prime sites for a new Ace

Hardware are available!
Atlanta, GA area:
• Downtown market
•
Alpharetta/Crabapple/Milton
area
 Athens, TN:
Call Darin Workman
(678) 910-8476

Gray, TN:
Call Terry Crawford
(678) 910-8476

Hazelhurst, MS:
Olive Branch, MS:
Call Ron Odom
(678) 488-7600

Boston, MA Theatre
District
Meredith, NH
• Lakes Region
Call Peter Albrecht
(508) 380-1228

Asheville, NC area:
Call Joe Perz
(828) 256-7890

Cincinnati, Cleveland,
Columbus & Toledo, OH:
Call Bob Merritt
(419)351-3150

Flourtown & Hanover,

PA:
Call Sheldon Sandler
(215)499-7681

Portland, OR:
Redmond, WA:
Stanwood, WA:
Call Stace Heston
(253) 906-2602
Focus Markets

While Ace will help you

grow virtually anywhere you
want to grow, our urban
Focus Markets offer the
highest potential for
enterprise growth and multi-
store possibilities.

Learn More

Incentive Benefits
Qualified individuals will receive our exclusive incentive package of up to $255,000 that can
assist in your store’s opening.

Our incentive package helps prepare you for ownership and can drive down the total investment
for a business by nearly 20 percent. Additionally, an enhanced incentives package is available
when you decide to open additional stores. For more information, contact our New Business
Development Team at 630-990-6900 or kdeli@acehardware.com.

Click Here to Get Qualified

Karin Schlueter – New Business Development

630-990-6900 (phone) myace@acehardware.com

We think there are three principal reasons why Ace is the greatest
business opportunity for serious entrepreneurs:

World Class Brand - World Class Brand - A globally trusted, locally

embraced brand that according to the Gallup Organization, leads the entire
 home improvement industry in un-aided slogan recall. Ace Hardware was
ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Stores
Four Years in a Row" by J.D. Power and Associates 2007-2010 Home
Improvement Retail Store Studies . Visit www.jdpower.com.
SM

Rock Solid Foundation - Fad Proof Future - For over 80 years Ace has
been steadfastly committed to the independently owned, cooperative business
model. And with projected annual growth of 5.7 percent from 2005 to 2010 in
the $300 billion home improvement industry (source: Hardware Retailing,
Dec. 2006), your future is not contingent on the next new fad.

Ownership - We understand your business dreams are just that - your

dreams. No franchise fees, no royalty fees; you're the owner. Ace is unlike
any other business or franchise opportunity on the planet. Profits the
company earns are distributed to our retailers each year.

About Ace

The framework for success. A tradition of service.

Founded in Chicago in 1924, Ace Hardware Corporation has

grown to become America's neighborhood hardware retailer.
Over the years, we've built the brand from a small group of
hardware stores to a network of more than 4,800 locations
across the globe.

An independent marketing study confirmed that the Ace

Hardware name is one of the most widely recognized
trademarks in America. "Ace … The Helpful Place" is the most recognized slogan in the home-
improvement industry (The Gallup Organization, October 2006). And today, consumers rely
heavily on the helpful advice and product choices they get at their neighborhood stores.

We continue to grow because of the level of service we provide our customers. Backed by a
state-of-the-art distribution system, dedicated corporate support, and the knowledge and talents
of our 80,000 team members, we look forward to upholding and advancing our 80 year tradition
of service, solid corporate citizenship and success.
To visit the Ace Hardware Corporation website, go to www.acehardware.com.

What We Offer

A solid opportunity. A powerful model.

Ace has been America's neighborhood

hardware retailer for eight decades.
Throughout the decades - through booms and
busts, war and peace, fads and legitimate
breakthroughs - we've been a cornerstone of
neighborhood commerce. Today, the
opportunity has never been greater. The "do-
it-yourself" market is thriving. And Ace
Hardware remains poised to serve and thrive, as well.

Build your future on a strong foundation.

Today, Ace retailers have built their annual retail sales to more than $13
billion. And the future looks bright. The hardware industry is not only stable,
it's expanding. America is fast becoming a nation of do-it-yourselfers. Just take
a look at your local TV listings, brimming with home-improvement
programming (source: Hardware Retailing Dec. 2006).

What's more, studies indicate that home-improvement sales will grow at 5.7
percent from 2005 to 2010 (source: Do it Yourself Retailing Dec. 2006). And
according to a 2006 Yankelovich study, the average homeowner is expected to
do three projects over the next year, primarily in the areas of painting and
landscaping, with a total spending budget of approximately $2,000.

Training And Support

Learning the nuts and bolts of the hardware business.

Starting your own business is one area where you don't want to
do it yourself. When you become an Ace Hardware owner, you
gain the support of a dedicated and experienced team of
experts. Our program provides you with extensive training to
help you make an effective entry into the DIY Consumer
Market and to provide you with the programs, systems and
support that will enable you to keep your Ace Hardware
store(s) running at peak efficiency for years to come

Our start up assistance includes help with:

 • Financing programs for qualified individuals
• Assist you in finding the right location
• Store set-up and design, including store planning, visual merchandising, pricing strategy
development, office set-up and product selection

Ace's comprehensive training covers strategies for:

• Effective store management

• Managing each revenue center
• Purchasing and inventory
• Implementing superior customer service
• Financial management and back-office procedures
• Hiring, training and managing employees
• Effective marketing techniques

Our on-site support includes:

• Hands-on, on-site support at your grand opening

• Visits from our experienced retail support staff
• In-store tools for continual improvement, such as customer surveys, customer comment
card programs and mystery shopper programs

Marketing and advertising support includes:

• Grand opening planning, assistance and awareness programs

• Local store marketing programs, such as newspaper ad slicks, direct marketing materials
and regional radio and television opportunities
• Comprehensive and effective national advertising
• Public relations strategies and materials
• Community involvement programs and local charity tie-ins
• Ace Rewards - our one-to-one consumer loyalty program
• System-wide website with store directory and e-commerce functions

And don't forget the powerful reputation of the Ace Hardware name and logo -- one of the top
100 most recognizable brands in the world!

Our exclusive Ace Hardware programs include:

• Access to 10,000 proprietary Ace label products

• Exclusive vendor programs for products and services
• ACENET online communication programs
• Ace Loss Prevention Service
• Ace Rental Place program
• Strength In Numbers
• Turn up the power of Ace.
 Since the Ace Hardware cooperative structure allows our
buyers to negotiate with combined buying-power of over
4,800 locations, our store owners have a significant
advantage over non-affiliated stores. Our regional and
state-of-the-art distribution centers and computerized
ordering give you efficient access to more than 70,000
items in every major hardware category.
• Your Ace Hardware store will also be equipped with a
proprietary computerized management system, which will provide accurate sales
transaction processing, detailed sales and expense information, and extensive inventory
management and ordering features to help you run a "tight ship."
• But being a part of the Ace family has other advantages - shared innovations, corporate
marketing insight and state-of-the-art retailing design, to name a few. You'll be backed by
national media advertising, proven business models and a corporate culture that is driven
by service and innovation.
• A true co-op atmosphere Including owners, store personnel, retail support and corporate
employees, there are more than 80,000 members in the Ace Hardware team. Their
combined talents strengthen the Ace name. Their vision propels the future of the
corporation. And their dedication and expertise works to help all Ace Hardware owners
run their business efficiently.
• Products
• More than tools. A veritable treasure chest.

As an Ace Hardware owner, you'll be able to offer your

customers thousands of high-quality products - from
paint to pet supplies. Today's do-it-yourselfers are
updating complex plumbing, maintaining impeccable
yards, installing cabinets, shingling roofs, cutting glass
… you name it, they're doing it! But not without your
help.
• That's because as an Ace Hardware owner you'll build
your business on the solid foundation of the Ace retail concept. Through a variety of store
sizes and design possibilities, your Ace Hardware store will provide the extensive
product line you'd expect from a major chain. (In fact, you'll have access to over 70,000
high-quality products from our fifteen world class distribution centers located throughout
the country.) Yet, you will still be able to maintain the personal and one-on-one help your
customers deserve. And with services that include key making, equipment rental and
repair, you'll have a diverse and productive set of revenue centers, as well.
• One-stop shopping. One powerful brand. The Ace® product assortment includes more
than 10,000 items - all value priced. Your store will stock paint and paint supplies,
plumbing and heating materials, lawn and garden products, electrical supplies and
accessories, outdoor living products, building supplies, hand tools and power tools,
hardware and fasteners, housewares and small appliances, ladders and cleaning supplies -
all under the Ace name.
• To provide more value for customers owners may also stock holiday and seasonal
decorations, sporting goods, pet supplies, marine supplies, pool chemicals, automotive
 merchandise, fire extinguishers and safety equipment, live goods, grill and grill
accessories, propane exchange, and other exciting niche opportunities.
• How To Do It Yourself
• The steps to ownership.
Your blueprint to your own business.

Over the years, we've built Ace Hardware from a small

group of local stores into a vast global network with
over 4,800 locations. You can find us in all 50 states and
in more than 70 countries. Ace's steady growth is a
testament to our ability to stay one step ahead of
industry trends and deliver ultimate satisfaction to the
consumer. With over 80,000 members in the Ace team,
including store owners, store personnel, retail support
personnel, and corporate employees, Ace is the largest hardware cooperative in the
world.
• If you become a member of the Ace ownership team, we can provide you with start-up
assistance, comprehensive training, on-site support, and proven programs to help you
market and advertise your store (or stores).
• But first, we have to get to know you. Over the last couple of decades, Ace's focus on
retail has made Ace Hardware the brand it is today. During this time, our individual store
owners invested in their businesses and it has paid off even in today's competitive market
place. We apply stringent criteria for selecting our potential owner retailers. Filling out
our no-obligation confidential qualification form is just the first step.
• Who We Need
• We need people with the tools to succeed...
and the drive to serve.

You've probably heard that "Ace is the place with the

Helpful Hardware Folks." Our store owners enjoy
helping people and solving problems for the
neighborhood "do-it-yourselfers." You don't
necessarily have to have retail or hardware experience
to get started with your own Ace Hardware store. You
must, however, have a commitment to excellence, a
will to succeed, the caliber of character to uphold the
Ace brand and a strong team of Ace associates behind you, ready to meet and exceed
your customers' expectations.
• Building a sense of community
If you're looking for the opportunity to play a vital role in your community, to help your
neighbors, to be a stalwart of your local marketplace, and to build a business, Ace could
be the place for you.

• Investment And Financing

• An investment to build on.
The following is a brief summary of the initial investment, affiliation process, and available incentives. At Ace, we don't
charge you royalty and franchise fees. Instead, we provide qualified individuals with an incentive package to assist you in
 opening your nationally-recognized business. Our exclusive incentive package helps prepare you for ownership and can
drive down the total investment for a business by nearly 20 percent. What other company reduces the cost of entry
rather than charging for it? To further discuss your investment, first complete and submit our no-cost, no-obligation
confidential qualification form to get qualified.

Affiliation Process:
Membership
$5,000
Application
Initial Ownership Stock
$5,000
Investment
Liquid Capital $250,000
$390,000 - $740,000
Loan
(depending on store size)
Total Investment* $650,000 - $1,000,000
• * Total Investment will vary based on store size. Items included in this figure are store
fixtures, inventory, office equipment, computer system, decor, signage and operating
capital. These costs do not include such things as land and building costs or leasehold
improvements.
• Incentive Benefits
Qualified individuals will receive our exclusive incentive package of up to $255,000 that
can assist in your store’s opening.
• Our incentive package helps prepare you for ownership and can drive down the total
investment for a business by nearly 20 percent. Additionally, an enhanced incentives
package is available when you decide to open additional stores. For more information,
contact our Business Development Team at 630-990-6900 or myace@acehardware.com.

•
• FAQ's
• What's the application fee for? Is it refunded if I don't qualify?
• The application fee covers our processing expenses only and will not be collected until a
formal application for membership is submitted. Please keep in mind that this will not
happen until you've had a chance to fully review the Ace opportunity and work with our
New Business staff. Once submitted, application fees are non-refundable.
• In a nutshell, why is Ace a better investment than other brands?
• The short answer is we have superior brand recognition, a proven business model,
unparalleled support, and an exclusive incentive package, which helps you to prepare for
ownership and drives down your total investment costs by nearly 20 percent.

The Ace hardware brand has been around for 80 years. According to The Gallup
Organization (2006), Ace "The Helpful Place" is the most recognized slogan in the home
improvement industry. And this is an industry that is growing. Studies indicate that
home-improvement sales will increase 5.7 percent from 2005 through 2010 (source:
Hardware Retailing Dec. 2006). Consumers will turn to the brand they know and trust.
Ace Hardware store owners also have the advantage of our extensive training program,
proven computer and distribution systems, and the combined buying-power of more than
4,800 locations.
• May I obtain the funds to open an Ace Hardware store from a relative, friend or
associate?
• Yes. To discuss your investment options, first complete and submit our no-cost, no-
obligation confidential qualification form to pre-qualify.
• Do I need to actually work in my store(s)?
• At Ace Hardware, we want you to work according to your strengths. Traditionally, our
store owners enjoy helping people and solving problems for the neighborhood "do-it-
yourselfers." However, some of our owners prefer working in the "back office." Some
own a chain of stores and don't regulate their time to a specific location. Regardless of
where our store owners spend their days, however, they all have a common responsibility
to be ambassadors of the well-respected Ace Hardware brand.
• What are the next steps?
• 1. Learn all you can about Ace Hardware
2. Complete our free, no-obligation confidential qualification form
3. A regionally based field member of our Business Development team will contact you.
4. When we've mutually decided Ace Hardware is the right business for you, an
application for membership will be completed.
5. Begin the process of opening your store.
Owner Testimonials

Reaching for the pinnacle of service

Pinnacle Peak
Ace
Hardware,
Scottsdale,
Arizona

As a
manufacturing engineer, John Arterburn made a
career out of fixing things. After 22 years in the
business and working his way up to Director of
Manufacturing, he started to look for ways he
can continue to help people while living a
lifestyle outside of the corporate arena. He went
to a trade show in Las Vegas and came face-to-
face with Ace Hardware.

"I hit it off with Ace's people - both the retailers

and corporate folks," says John. "They really
live their philosophy of customer service."

John decided to open a store in up scale

Scottsdale, Arizona. "We knew the people here
and we knew the neighborhood," he says.
"There's a big perception for a place like this
that people pay other people to do their home-
improvement work. That's not true. We're
filling a need here. We've had neighbors come
up to us while we were building and told us that
they couldn't wait until we opened. Regardless
of who you are, everyone needs light bulbs,
faucets, paint, hardware, tools … since we
opened, our customers tell us everyday, 'We're
glad you're here.' And they say they love the
service."

John started the ownership process in March

and opened his store in December - a
tremendous turnaround for which he credits the
Ace team. "They went out of their way to help
us with this purchase," he says. Then working
with store planners, they proceeded to turn a
13,000 square-foot retail space into what some
customers have called "the nicest Ace they've
ever seen."

According to John, "A lot of people told me we

couldn't open that fast. But we did. I went to
Top Gun training at Ace. The people they bring
in are excellent. Ace provides the kind of
support you'd expect from a world-class
organization."
Perhaps that's a corporate characteristic John
likes best of all. "Everyone in the organization
has been helpful. An Ace truck driver who used
to have a route in California took the time to
show us ways to increase efficiency ... treating
it like it was his baby, too."

John's goal is to turn his store into the most

helpful Ace Hardware in the organization. "I
love working with customers on the floor," he
says. "We listen to our customers. If we don't
have what they need, we'll get it. It's important
to us to let the customers feel like it's their
store."

John Arterburn is taking care of his

neighborhood. And in three short months, he's
seeing the fruit of his efforts in a loyal and
appreciative customer base.

Business heats up for local

contractor

Ace Chardon Hardware, Chardon,

Ohio

Jay Negin is a state-certified

plumbing and heating contractor,
living in Chardon, Ohio. He found
that, as a contractor, he could not
stop homeowners from doing their
own work. In fact, he encouraged
it. But he also wanted to make
sure his customers were getting
the proper advice they needed.

That dedication to his customers

made him a perfect match for Ace
hardware. And in 2000, he opened
his own hardware store in this
rural corner of northeast Ohio.
"It's been great," Jay says. "I love
it. Absolutely fantastic. I've had a
good time. I'm close to home. And
we're building a name for
ourselves."

Jay is a strong proponent of

giving his customers what they
want. And what they want is
product knowledge, good advice,
and great service. "At Ace, we
give our customers the personal
service they need. And in terms of
products, we give them the choice
between 'better' and 'best." When
you do that, your customers will
come back again and again and
again."

In 2003, the store celebrated its

100,000 customer. Not bad for a
village that has a population of
only 8,473.

"The store is doing great, and I

plan to expand," says Jay. He's
looking to open a second store in
the near future.

Second location doesn't shy

away from competition

Clay's Ace Hardware - Windsor

and Fort Collins, Colorado

In March, 1998, Lisa and Jim

Clay opened their first Ace
Hardware store in Windsor,
Colorado, a town just about
smack between Fort Collins and
Greeley. And after five successful
years at the Windsor location, the
Clay's decided to open a second
store in Fort Collins. The grand
opening was in November 2003.

"It's a wonderful location," says

Lisa. "It has great traffic patterns
and a large parking lot."

It also has something that other

retailers may not have purposely
sought out-big-box competition
from a warehouse hardware store
just two blocks away. But Lisa
likes the competition … and their
chances there with Ace.

"We have to work to change

people's shopping habits," Lisa
admits. "But we're happy with the
response we are getting. Our
customers have thanked us for
opening and giving them an
alternative." So far, both of the
Clay's hardware stores have been
well received by the communities
they serve. Lisa boasts of a high
return rate with their "Helpful
Hardware Customers," and she
says they are consistently told that
they have great customer service.

And therein lies the Ace

Hardware advantage. In addition
to the combined purchasing power
of a national family of store
owners, advertising and marketing
support from corporate
headquarters and an advanced
distribution systems that keeps
Ace Hardware stores stocked with
the products customers need and
want right away, Ace Hardware
has earned the reputation of being
"The Helpful Hardware Place."
According to surveys, that's one
of the most recognized slogans in
the business. And it's well
deserved.

Today, customers know Ace is the

 place to find the products and
neighborly advice they seek. And
in the end, a reputation built on
service, product, price and
convenience can compete with
anyone.

"As one gentleman told my

husband," says Lisa, "there are not
many jobs out there where you
can make someone's day by
helping them find a 10-cent
washer."
Get Qualified for an Ace Hardware Store Now! | Disclaimer | Contact A
Small Business Ownership • Training & Support • Ace Store Advantages • Reta
Products
Buying an Ace Business • Become an Ace Store Owner • Investment & Financing
FAQ
About Ace Hardware • Ratings & Awards • International Retail Stores for Sale •
Hardware Stores
© 2010 Ace Hardware Corporation

FAQ's

What's the application fee for? Is it refunded if I don't qualify?

The application fee covers our processing expenses only and will not be collected until a formal
application for membership is submitted. Please keep in mind that this will not happen until
you've had a chance to fully review the Ace opportunity and work with our New Business staff.
Once submitted, application fees are non-refundable.

In a nutshell, why is Ace a better investment than other brands?

The short answer is we have superior brand recognition, a proven business model, unparalleled
support, and an exclusive incentive package, which helps you to prepare for ownership and
drives down your total investment costs by nearly 20 percent.

The Ace hardware brand has been around for 80 years. According to The Gallup Organization
(2006), Ace "The Helpful Place" is the most recognized slogan in the home improvement
industry. And this is an industry that is growing. Studies indicate that home-improvement sales
will increase 5.7 percent from 2005 through 2010 (source: Hardware Retailing Dec. 2006).
Consumers will turn to the brand they know and trust. Ace Hardware store owners also have the
advantage of our extensive training program, proven computer and distribution systems, and the
combined buying-power of more than 4,800 locations.
May I obtain the funds to open an Ace Hardware store from a relative, friend or associate?

Yes. To discuss your investment options, first complete and submit our no-cost, no-obligation
confidential qualification form to pre-qualify.

Do I need to actually work in my store(s)?

At Ace Hardware, we want you to work according to your strengths. Traditionally, our store
owners enjoy helping people and solving problems for the neighborhood "do-it-yourselfers."
However, some of our owners prefer working in the "back office." Some own a chain of stores
and don't regulate their time to a specific location. Regardless of where our store owners spend
their days, however, they all have a common responsibility to be ambassadors of the well-
respected Ace Hardware brand.

What are the next steps?

1. Learn all you can about Ace Hardware

2. Complete our free, no-obligation confidential qualification form
3. A regionally based field member of our Business Development team will contact you.
4. When we've mutually decided Ace Hardware is the right business for you, an application for
membership will be completed.
5. Begin the process of opening your store.

welcome to Ace Hardware International

Ace Hardware International is a division of Ace Hardware Corporation, the largest hardware
franchise company in the world. Ace Hardware has been in business since 1924, providing our
retail partners with globally sourced quality products, state-of-the-art retail expertise, retailer-
friendly integrated supply chain resources and a globally recognized brand.

Ace is one of the largest and most powerful franchises in the world, servicing over 5,000 stores
in more than 60 countries.

Ace’s global strengths:

 • Ace Brand
The Ace brand ranks among the top 100 most recognized brands in the world.
• Ace Retail Model
The Ace retail model, coupled with the local expertise from our partners, provides an
effective and truly localized successful business.
• Ace Global Distribution
Ace’s Global Distribution Network includes 16 warehouses in the U.S., one warehouse in
China, three freight-forwarding operations, two paint manufacturing facilities, freight
consolidation and distribution capabilities worldwide.
• Ace Team
Worldwide, there are nearly 80,000 Ace team members, including store owners, store
personnel, retail support personnel and corporate employees.

We welcome you to navigate through our website to learn more about our vision to “Win at
Retail.” Learn about the “Ace Way of Retailing” and obtain a better understanding of what Ace,
the Helpful Place, can be for you.

welcome to Ace Hardware International

Ace Hardware International is a division of Ace Hardware Corporation, the largest hardware
franchise company in the world. Ace Hardware has been in business since 1924, providing our
retail partners with globally sourced quality products, state-of-the-art retail expertise, retailer-
friendly integrated supply chain resources and a globally recognized brand.

Ace is one of the largest and most powerful franchises in the world, servicing over 5,000 stores
in more than 60 countries.

Ace’s global strengths:

• Ace Brand
The Ace brand ranks among the top 100 most recognized brands in the world.
• Ace Retail Model
The Ace retail model, coupled with the local expertise from our partners, provides an
effective and truly localized successful business.
• Ace Global Distribution
Ace’s Global Distribution Network includes 16 warehouses in the U.S., one warehouse in
 China, three freight-forwarding operations, two paint manufacturing facilities, freight
consolidation and distribution capabilities worldwide.
• Ace Team
Worldwide, there are nearly 80,000 Ace team members, including store owners, store
personnel, retail support personnel and corporate employees.

We welcome you to navigate through our website to learn more about our vision to “Win at
Retail.” Learn about the “Ace Way of Retailing” and obtain a better understanding of what Ace,
the Helpful Place, can be for you.

Ace Hardware International Own your own Ace Store My Global Ace C
welcome to Ace Hardware International

Ace Hardware International is a division of Ace Hardware Corporation, the largest hardware
franchise company in the world. Ace Hardware has been in business since 1924, providing our
retail partners with globally sourced quality products, state-of-the-art retail expertise, retailer-
friendly integrated supply chain resources and a globally recognized brand.

Ace is one of the largest and most powerful franchises in the world, servicing over 5,000 stores
in more than 60 countries.

Ace’s global strengths:

• Ace Brand
The Ace brand ranks among the top 100 most recognized brands in the world.
• Ace Retail Model
The Ace retail model, coupled with the local expertise from our partners, provides an
effective and truly localized successful business.
• Ace Global Distribution
Ace’s Global Distribution Network includes 16 warehouses in the U.S., one warehouse in
China, three freight-forwarding operations, two paint manufacturing facilities, freight
consolidation and distribution capabilities worldwide.
• Ace Team
Worldwide, there are nearly 80,000 Ace team members, including store owners, store
personnel, retail support personnel and corporate employees.
We welcome you to navigate through our website to learn more about our vision to “Win at
Retail.” Learn about the “Ace Way of Retailing” and obtain a better understanding of what Ace,
the Helpful Place, can be for you.

about us

Millions of customers worldwide shop Ace for its helpful service and extensive product offering,
including 65,000 products to help beautify, repair or invest in their homes. Because of this
helpful commitment, customers leave Ace stores armed with the tools and advice needed to get
their home improvement projects done with complete satisfaction.

helpful message

Ace Hardware takes pride in our company's ongoing commitment to being the most helpful
hardware company on the planet. While our competitors are spending millions of dollars trying
to sell that they are "helpful," Ace has delivered on this promise. The Gallup survey results
gathered, prove what we all know – Ace is the most helpful place with the most helpful people.
Every team member at Ace took that commitment a step further by taking the Helpful Pledge:

"I pledge to be Ace Helpful. Helping you is the most important thing I have to do today."

Customers around the world expect helpful, world-class service from their neighborhood
hardware stores. To truly exceed customers' expectations, Ace is committed to making sure not
just our people, but also our stores, are infused with helpfulness.
our products

Products You Can Trust - We Guarantee It!

Ace's Helpful Hardware Members provide reliable service, advice and products to help
customers get their projects done right. So you can count on the same reliability in the quality,
value and selection of Ace Private Label products.

Sold exclusively in Ace Hardware stores and home centers worldwide, each Ace Private Label
product is stamped with a guarantee of its quality.

Here are some of the benefits you'll find when you purchase an Ace Private Label product:

• Quality Standards
Manufactured and independently tested to the same demanding quality standards as the
leading global brands. This ensures that all Ace Private Label products are certified to be
as good as, if not better than, the leading global brands.
• Satisfaction Guarantee
Our hand tools carry a full lifetime guarantee and all other Ace Private Label products are
stamped with a satisfaction guarantee. If an Ace Private Label product fails to meet your
satisfaction, simply return it to the Ace Hardware store where you purchased it for a free
replacement at participating stores.
• Product Selection
Ace Private Label products are available in every major hardware category, and there are
more than 12,000 different products to fit all your home improvement needs. A complete
selection is offered in hand and power tools, electrical, plumbing, cleaning, lawn and
garden, automotive, paint and paint sundries.
• our history
• Richard Hesse founded Ace Hardware Corporation in Chicago in the early 1920s.
Operating from a hardware store on Clark Street in Chicago, Hesse found much was
wanting in the traditional way of buying merchandise in those days. Buying from a
jobber, or middleman, simply drove up the price on every hardware item and cut into the
retailer’s profits.
• One day a Greek peddler selling Mediterranean sponges pointed out to Hesse that he
could realize considerable savings by purchasing sponges by the bale, rather than
individually. Not having the capability of buying that many sponges, however, Hesse
called several area retailers to ask if they would be interested in splitting the bale
• They were, and they did.
• Having germinated the seeds of franchise buying, Hesse began buying other merchandise
in bulk to save money, establishing the Ace concept of buying at the lowest possible cost.
This enabled even the smaller stores to compete effectively at retail even with much
larger stores in their market – a concept still valid today, more than three-quarters of a
century later.
• The company began as a privately-owned group, although it utilized the basic principles
of a franchise by using the Ace name as a key element in the program. The Ace name
was chosen on a whim when a truck with “Ace Laundry” painted on the side drove by
during a meeting. Hesse also realized that the Ace name would be near the front of the
telephone book, and it had many positive connotations.
• In 1928, the company was incorporated as Ace Stores, Inc.
• Hesse also introduced retailer conventions. These allowed retailers to meet in one
common marketplace and see all of the national products and promotions available to
them. Today conventions remain an integral part of the basic activities Ace offers its
retailer-owners.

•
• In 1968, Ace began to expand into the international market, opening a store in Guam.
• In the mid-80s, Ace began manufacturing its own paint. A state-of-the-art paint plant
produces a variety of solvent-based and latex paints.
• At the turn of the century, Ace announced an expanded growth strategy designed to build
the retailers’ business and deliver a consistent, helpful experience with every customer on
the planet.
• Ace Hardware International Own your own Ace S