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Ace Hardware, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, has opened a new Retail Support Center (RSC) in Kansas City, Mo.
The new facility spans more than 1.5 million sq. ft., measuring a half mile from end to end. It represents a major investment in Ace’s continued growth and commitment to supporting its network of independent retailers through best-in-class logistics and supply chain efficiency.
“This new 1.5 million-sq. ft. facility in Kansas City is more than just a building—it’s a symbol of what hard work, purpose, and servant-hearted teamwork can accomplish,” said John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware. “It exists for one reason only: to help our locally owned stores serve their neighbors with excellence that has made Ace famous.”
Strategically located in nearly the exact geographic center of the continental U.S., the Ace Hardware RSC is situated along Interstate 29 and adjacent to Kansas City International Airport, offering immediate access to major highway and air freight networks. This location enhances Ace’s ability to deliver products quickly and reliably to thousands of locally owned stores across the central United States.
The Ace Hardware RSC is the first facility to open in Hunt Midwest’s newly developed KCI 29 Logistics Park and is nearly twice the size of the average Ace distribution center. The facility is expected to generate over 350 new local jobs and will play a crucial role in supporting Ace’s growing network of more than 5,000 locally owned stores in the U.S. During the construction phase, it also supported approximately 100 jobs in the local community.
Ace Hardware’s supply chain network is a cornerstone of the company’s operational success. The new retail support center joins a network of over a dozen distribution centers across the country, each designed to support Ace’s unique independent retail model. The new facility will also feature advanced automation technology and efficiency systems to streamline operations, minimize environmental impact, and support Ace’s long-term sustainability goals.
In recognition of its innovative design and impact, the Ace Hardware RSC was recently honored with a 2025 Kansas City Business Journal Capstone Award as the sole winner in the industrial category.
Ace Hardware is the largest hardware cooperative in the world, serving more than 8,700 locally owned and operated stores around the globe, while providing the best products, services, and operating methods to almost 5,200 Ace retail stores in the United States. Ace Hardware’s family of brands includes Ace Hardware, Emery Jensen Distribution, and independent retailers worldwide. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Il., Ace operates an expansive network of U.S. distribution centers, along with international capabilities in Ningbo, China, and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico.
