Ace Hardware 2013 Annual Report Download

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find the complete 2013 Ace Hardware annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 44

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44

ABOVE &
BEYOND
TOGETHER WE ARE ACE
ACE HARDWARE 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Table of contents

  • Page 1
    ABOVE & BEYOND TOGETHER WE ARE ACE AC E H A R DWA R E 2 013 A N N UA L R E P O R T

  • Page 2
    TOGETHER WE ARE ACE Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. HENRY FORD

  • Page 3

  • Page 4
    ...of his game. I do not believe it incidental that as David steps off the board and as we close the books on 2013, your company will enter its 90th Anniversary having delivered record sales, profits, productivity, fill rates and patronage distributions to shareholders. CORPORATE PERFORMANCE A quick...

  • Page 5
    ... areas for 2014. First, we intend to deliver you a world-class ACENET tool that allows you to search, evaluate and order product with speed and excellence. The second is our effort to integrate and leverage our digital marketing assets to ensure we are delivering a John Venhuizen President and CEO

  • Page 6
    ...prosperous future with Chairmanelect Jim Ackroyd and CEO John Venhuizen at the helm. Let me conclude with one of the true "secrets of retail hardware success," passed down from my grandfather Lyle to each generation of Zieglers: "You cannot sell bananas from an empty cart." Onward toward celebrating...

  • Page 7

  • Page 8

  • Page 9
    ... underscore two key values: humility and continuous improvement. It's not surprising, then, that Ace has been recognized for the seventh year in a row by J.D. Power and Associates for being number one in customer service. Looking back on 2013, Ace can truly say that owning helpful pays! 5% 2012...

  • Page 10
    ... this incredibly competitive paint category, the best thing to do longterm was to partner with a highly reputable organization like Valspar, a leading brand in the market with world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities." -John Surane, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Merchandising and Sales

  • Page 11
    ... competitive paint category, the best thing to do long-term was to partner with a highly reputable organization like Valspar, a leading brand in the market with world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities." More than 3,000 stores have signed up to refresh their paint departments by May 1, 2014...

  • Page 12
    ... at the store level to ensure that Ace stores are fulfilling the Ace brand promise and delivering an amazing customer experience to every customer every time. To become certified, Ace associates first individually complete the Helpful 101 training and then attend a week-long, team-based certi...

  • Page 13
    "Helpful is our weapon in the world. And it is far more than just a slogan. It's a mission. We know we are truly blessed to be in the business of serving others. And that is a mission we don't take lightly." -John Venhuizen, President and CEO

  • Page 14
    AC E H A R D WA R E 2 013 A N N UA L R E P O R T / 12

  • Page 15
    ... key core hardware departments as well as a few niches-sporting goods, firearms, fireplaces, and an extensive outdoor greenhouse. From the start, Jim and Patty wanted their store to be a friendly, fun, comfortable place to be-"like going to your neighbor's." Local involvement 20/20 Vision is Ace...

  • Page 16

  • Page 17
    ... for an urban market is Mazzone's dedicated outdoor area. During the Halloween season, for instance, Mazzone Hardware sells 40,000 pounds of pumpkins on average. Mazzone's also has a thriving Benjamin Moore paint department, and Matt purchases a million dollars worth of paint product each year. He...

  • Page 18
    The Helpful Place-Helpful in Every Way, Everywhere, for Everyone.

  • Page 19
    ... giving away one million. W • Rupiah untuk Rumah: Ace stores in Indonesia collect donations at cashier points for Habitat for Humanity to build homes for unfortunate families in Indonesia. PT Ace Hardware was established in 1995 as a subsidiary company of the largest commercial and industrial...

  • Page 20
    ...questions. Green Bag Program-food donations and backpacks for homeless children. Customer Appreciation Days-partnering with local Boy Scouts to offer grilled burgers and hot dogs to shoppers. • • Nigel and Kenny's strong presence in the community has only helped to strengthen the Ace brand in...

  • Page 21
    AC E H A R D WA R E 2 013 A N N UA L R E P O R T / 19 ABOVE FIRST YEAR PRO FORMA TARGET

  • Page 22

  • Page 23
    ...from the big box store. Amazing customer service, improved inventory control, enrolling customers in Ace Rewards, and recognizing the opportunities of B2B (The Supply Place) have helped us to achieve Pinnacle status. That focus has been critical to our success and provides a great model not just for...

  • Page 24
    ... in one word: Helpful M itchell Ace Hardware in West Bend, is summed up in one word: "Helpful." Local promotions, donations, and community support are given a high priority, and store associates receive bonuses for extreme customer service. As Bob says, "Anybody can buy and sell hardware, but our...

  • Page 25
    AC E H A R D WA R E 2 013 A N N UA L R E P O R T / 23

  • Page 26
    Ace is a real moneymaker- the best department in the store! JOHN STOKES

  • Page 27
    ... and commitment to customer service. "Ace is a real moneymaker-the best department in the store!" The hardware margins have allowed Stokes to be more aggressively priced in the market, helping him to compete with local big-box grocery stores. Stokes Ace now fills 8,000 square feet of the total...

  • Page 28
    ... Off" and a major store expansion B ill Murff, proud owner of Cypress Ace Hardware in Houston, is a huge Children's Miracle Network Hospitals supporter. He combines those two passions into building a successful business and giving back to his local community. His "Grill Your Ace Off" event, held...

  • Page 29

  • Page 30
    ... world-class customer service lamo Ace Hardware in Alamo, Calif. was originally part of the Yard Birds chain and then sold to Home Depot. Owner Christopher Kretz took over in 2007, turning it into an Ace Hardware store and rebuilding it into the thriving business it is today. With 35,000 square feet...

  • Page 31
    AC E H A R D WA R E 2 013 A N N UA L R E P O R T / 29

  • Page 32
    "It's hard to find the brand of old-fashioned compassion, kindness and humor you and your family somehow manage to weave into providing good business and services..." -Tarboro resident

  • Page 33
    ... R T / 31 Service Above Self Amazing customers for four generations and counting M arrow-Pitt Ace Hardware is more than just a great hardware store; it's an iconic presence in the Tarboro, N.C. community, where the Pitt family has been amazing customers for four generations. live every day, an...

  • Page 34
    ... in our house. We don't use the contraction can't-instead we say we 'can try.' Ellie makes excellent grades, plays sled hockey, miracle league baseball, dances ballet and tap, and is in Girl Scouts. Through generous Ace retailer and customer donations in partnership with CMNH, children like Ellie...

  • Page 35

  • Page 36
    Our goal for this promotion is not only to raise funds for the local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, but to drive traffic and sales in the stores-it's a win for the retailers and a win for the local kids. CHRIS DOUCET A C E F O U N D AT I O N

  • Page 37
    ... store in each of five regions of the United States who raised the most money through icon sales and donations during the month of July. • Central: Cypress Ace Hardware, Houston, raised $7,288 West: Clevenger's Ace Hardware, Caruthers, Calif., raised $6,749 South: S&S Ace Hardware, Buford, Ga...

  • Page 38
    AC E H A R D WA R E 2 013 A N N UA L R E P O R T / 36

  • Page 39
    ... the funds that Crown Ace Hardware (a 17-store chain) raises, nominated owner Mark Schulein for this honor, and he was chosen as the 2013 Corporate Person of the Year Runner-Up. Over the past five years, under Mark's leadership, the team at Crown Ace Hardware has raised nearly $100,000 for local...

  • Page 40
    ...hard work of Ace retailers, over 1,000 paint departments were reinvented, almost 3,000 stores achieved "Visionary" status, and nearly 800 Supply Place Certifications are already in place. Ace has a great team-from the retailers and associates in the stores to the folks in the Retail Support Centers...

  • Page 41

  • Page 42

  • Page 43
    TOGETHER WE ARE ACE

  • Page 44
    Ace Hardware Corporation 2 2 0 0 Kensi ngton C our t | Oak B rook, IL 60523 WWW.AC E H A R DWA R E .C OM