DISTRIBUTORS/CO-OPS

Country Ace Hardware owner and VP Amy Kaplanis, a retailer in Granby, Colorado, and member of Ace’s board of directors, appeared in Diversity Journal’s 13th Women Worth Watching report.

The article in Diversity Journal describes her career path from a successful consulting career in Corporate America to a fulfilling role in the family business.

In his first market presentation to True Value retailers, the co-op's new VP marketing and chief customer officer Blake Fohl laid out a plan for -- what else? -- improved marketing. 

He also promised improvements to True Value Rewards (TVR).

When asked to explain the advantages of a store being owned by its employees, Doug...

London, Ontario-based Chalifour Canada will be relocating its Vancouver distribution center to a modern industrial park in nearby Delta, British Columbia. 

Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2014.

Chalifour is a hardware wholesaler owned by TIM-BR Marts. It also supports Ace dealers in Canada. 

Customers in Utah, Nevada and Wyoming can now buy NuvohH2O's water softeners at certain Ace Hardware stores, the supplier announced Thursday. 

Instead of using salt like most water softeners, NuvoH2O's products work with the help of a citrus agent and don't require electricity, brine tank, drain or soft water loop to work/. The absence of salt reduces buildup on fixtures and shower doors.

The co-op points to suppliers of the year in the categories of tools and equipment, lawn and garden and party/materials supplies.

Jeff and Al Bunge of Cedar Lake True Value Hardware were recognized by the Chicago-based True Value Company as one 13 “Best Hardware Store in Town” honorees.

According to the co-op, Jeff got his own department in the family owned store at the age of 11, working under his father and uncle. The store was converted to the Destination True Value format in June 2012.

The March 2013 issue of Consumer Reports found newcomer paint brand Clark+Kensington to be the leading scorer among interior paints.