Ace is the place for thousands of hardware retailers. Ace Hardware operates about 5,000 hardware stores in the United States and about 65 other countries. The co-op distributes to its retailers from more than 20 wholesale warehouses and backs dealers with national advertising, insurance, and training. Dealers receive dividends from Ace's profits. Ace also manufactures paint and offers hardware and household items under the Ace brand. Formed in the 1920s, Ace has responded to strong competition from warehouse-style rivals The Home Depot and Lowe's by remodeling its stores and updating its image.

What began as a small chain of stores established by a group of Chicago-area retailers in 1924 has evolved into one of the nation's leading "helpful hardware" dealer-owned cooperatives. In 1924, four Chicago-area retailers Oscar Fisher, Richard Hesse, Gern Lindquist and William Stauber established what would soon be known as Ace Stores Incorporated. The name Ace was chosen in honor of the valiant and courageous efforts of the World War I "Ace" fighter pilots.

Ace Hardware has developed into one of the nation's largest co-ops. Ace currently consists of over 5,100 stores in 50 states and 62 countries.

2000 Annual Report