Westlake acquires Watkins Hardware

Westlake Ace Hardware, a subsidiary of Ace Hardware Corporation, has acquired four hardware stores located in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.

The 110-year-old Westlake Ace Hardware chain acquired all four Watkins Hardware locations bringing Westlake Ace Hardware’s total store count to 89 locations.

The Watkins stores will be rebranded as Westlake Ace Hardware. They are located in Red Oak, Iowa, Maryville, Missouri; Beatrice, Nebraska; and Nebraska City, Nebraska. Three of the four stores were affiliated with True Value Company. 

“We are fortunate to have many entities at Ace -- like Westlake -- that possess the desire, capacity and aptitude to grow in an industry that remains alive and well,” said John Venhuizen, president and CEO, Ace Hardware Corporation.

“The acquisition of the four-store Watkins Hardware chain will complement our overall footprint in many of the Great Plains states,” said Tom Knox, CEO of Westlake. “We look forward to serving their existing customers, attracting new Westlake Ace customers and providing them all with the highest level of service, know-how and products.”

Last year, the now 89-store chain experienced 4.2% comparable same-store sales growth and an operating income growth of 90%.