Ace launches Emery Jensen Distribution

Ace Hardware has launched Emery Jensen Distribution, a coast-to-coast wholesale distribution network that operates under Ace Wholesale Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Ace Hardware Corporation, and is dedicated to serving non-Ace Hardware independent retailers.

Emery Jensen Distribution was formed after Ace acquired The Emery-Waterhouse Company in February 2014 and Jensen Distribution Services in January 2015. Both Emery-Waterhouse and Jensen will continue to operate independently under Ace Wholesale Holdings umbrella at this time.

Emery Jensen Distribution will service key national accounts and retailers in the geographic region of the country not covered by these organizations. Ace Wholesale Holdings will also be able to reach more independent retailers throughout the entire country.

Since its inception in June, Emery Jensen Distribution has signed on almost 100 customers, with a projection of 2,000 retailers by the end of 2016.

“More important than growth is ensuring we’re serving our independent retailers well. We’re focusing the majority of our efforts this year on setting a strong foundation, including technology,” said Hoyoung Pak, president of Ace Wholesale Holdings. “This entails a state-of-the-art ordering portal, operations to handle various order sizes, opening up access to 75,000 SKUs for our customers and training our customer service team.”

Other benefits include:

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  Transparent, easy-to-understand program and pricing;


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  Product cost savings;


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  Access to 75,000 locally relevant products across a number of categories, including hardware, lawn and garden, housewares, automotive, pet, toys, camping and home improvement;


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  Best-in-class services levels in the range of 97%; and


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  Access to Ace Hardware shows and deals.

“Retailers have a ton on their plates serving customers and dealing with competitors. The last thing they need is a complex program,” Pak said. “We won’t do things like add an artificial 5% inflator on products only to pay it back at year end as a disguised rebate if retailers jump through hoops. We offer competitive prices tiered based on spend levels and charge market going delivery rates. That’s it. There are no start-up fees or annual dues of any sort.”