Ace Hardware Headquarters in 2024: Locations, Leadership and Growth Plans
Ace Hardware‘s corporate headquarters remains in Oak Brook, Illinois as of 2023, now occupying a 150,000 square foot complex at:
2200 Kensington Court
Oak Brook, IL 60523
In addition to their Chicago area HQ, Ace runs U.S. satellite offices focused on:
- Retail Support Center – Rocklin, CA
- Distribution Centers – Wilmer, TX; Front Royal, VA; West Jefferson, NC
The phone number for Ace Hardware headquarters is (866) 290-5334. Customers can also contact Ace customer service by:
- Email: Online contact form at AceHardware.com
- Chat: Live chat feature on AceHardware.com
- Social: Active pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
New Leadership After Retirement of Long-Time CEO
In November 2022, Susan Knight was appointed President and CEO of Ace Hardware Corporation, taking over the role from John Venhuizen.
Venhuizen had led Ace for over a decade, guiding substantial growth. Knight brings over 25 years of experience from hardware retail and distribution firms Orgill and ABC Supply Company.
As only the third CEO in 45 years at Ace, Knight will shape the future direction of this retailer-owned cooperative. Her initial areas of focus include evolving Ace‘s supply chain and expanding internationally.
Accelerated Growth Trajectory
Ace Hardware has achieved strong expansion in recent years:
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 (Projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Stores | 5,600 | 7,100 | 7,500 |
| Total Revenues | $7.8 billion | $9.9 billion | $11 billion |
| Countries | 70 | 75 | 80 |
This growth comes mainly from existing retailers opening new Ace Hardware stores. Over 3,000 retailers own around 5,200 U.S. locations.
The company also runs 160+ corporate stores and continues targeting deals to convert independent hardware stores into Ace banners.
Enhancing Supply Chain Capabilities
To support retail growth and inventory needs, Ace is expanding supply chain operations in the U.S.
Key initiatives include:
- Regional distribution centers (RDC) – Adding 4 new RDCs by 2025 to support local fulfillment
- Port operations – Investing $75 million to acquire port-adjacent facilities
- Fleet expansion – Growing trucking fleet to include over 1,000 power units to manage transportation
These supply chain investments will allow Ace to efficiently distribute over 65,000 products to retailers and better compete against larger rivals.
SWOT Analysis
Here is a SWOT evaluation summarizing Ace Hardware‘s current situation:
Strengths
- Retailer-owned cooperative model
- Strong brand recognition and customer loyalty
- Expanding geographic and online presence
Weaknesses
- Reliance on imported goods from China (60% of units)
- Lagging behind technology innovations from big box players
Opportunities
- Growing DIY and home improvement market
- Converting more independent stores to Ace banners
- Increasing ecommerce and digital capabilities
Threats
- Competition from big box retailers (Home Depot, Lowe‘s)
- Global supply chain disruptions and inflation
Under Knight‘s leadership, Ace looks to maximize opportunities through improved supply chain operations and cardholder growth, while leveraging their cooperative ownership structure as a key differentiator against larger corporations.
Conclusion
Ace maintains strong growth and brand awareness from their long-time Chicago area HQ. With Susan Knight now positioned as CEO, Ace plans to focus on supply chain capabilities, digital retail and international locations to drive the next era of expansion for this hardware cooperative.
