Ace Hardware 2013 Annual Report Download - page 6

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A message from the Chairman of the Board
Congratulations on an extraordinary 2013!
On behalf of your Board of Directors, I want
to thank each and every one of you for your
commitment to your customers and Ace’s growth.
As our talented President and CEO, John Venhuizen
shared, some of the notable 2013 achievements
include surpassing a record $4 billion in wholesale
sales and over $100 million of net income.
Our founders and past Ace retailers would be so
proud of our achievements and perseverance.
Working together, Ace retailers, vendors and
team members have accomplished something
very few companies have ever achieved; 90 years
of helping our neighbors. As we celebrate Ace’s
90th Anniversary in 2014, we are 90-times blessed
to be in the business of serving others, with
each generation laying their own foundation of
bedrock to support the fertile soil from which
future generations will grow.
We have overcome economic depressions
and recessions, natural disasters and changing
competitive landscapes. Because of the time,
money and energy invested by those that have
served before us, the future of Ace Hardware
is VERY BRIGHT! In fact, it is so bright that this
past year many “next generation” entrepreneurs,
including my own son, have decided they, too,
want to pick up the torch and become leaders
within this great enterprise with retail stores in
more than 60 countries worldwide. That, my
friends, is something worth celebrating!
As my 13 years of being an Ace Hardware
board member and six years as Chairman soon
come to a close, I would like to congratulate
all of you and thank you. It has been an honor
to lead in the roles within the Ace garden you
have entrusted to me. Ace Hardware is well
positioned for a prosperous future with Chairman-
elect 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 our 100th
Anniversary year!
Sincerely,
David Ziegler
Chairman of the Board