Ace Hardware acquires Emery-Waterhouse
Ace Hardware Corporation has acquired Emery-Waterhouse, a 170-year-old distributor of hardlines products for independent lumber, paint, industrial and hardware outlets.
Emery-Waterhouse will move forward as an independently operated, majority-owned subsidiary of Ace Hardware. The Emery-Waterhouse brand will continue operations as a separate business with a distinct management team that provides wholesale distribution services to independent retailers.
Steve Frawley, CEO and Don Dickson, COO, and Emery-Waterhouse’s long-time majority owner, Charlie Hildreth, will continue to have a presence in the organization.
“The acquisition of Emery-Waterhouse serves as a tremendous catalyst to leverage wholesale purchasing power,” said John Venhuizen, president and CEO, Ace Hardware Corporation. “We are confident that both Ace retailers and Emery-Waterhouse customers will benefit from the additional scale and expanded assortments.”
“As a leader in the hardlines wholesale distribution industry, aligning with Ace Hardware – the nation’s largest convenience hardware leader at wholesale and at retail – simply makes good business sense,” said Steve Frawley, CEO, Emery-Waterhouse. “Knowing that we are part of a changing and consolidating industry, this is the right decision for Emery-Waterhouse and our customers.”
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
