Ace Hardware, ARA announce alliance
By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 4/1/1998
Oak brook, Ill.--Ace Hardware and the American Rental Assn. recently announced the formation of a buying group exclusively for ARA members.Called the Member Buying Alliance, the group offers ARA members a supply source for commercial rental products, equipment and accessories. The products will be purchased through National Hardlines Supply, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ace Hardware. The program is expected to start July 1.
NHS was formed three years ago and acts as a distributor selling Ace and non-Ace customers products from the company's retail support centers. Organizers say the program will benefit both Ace and ARA members by increasing the buying power of both groups.
David Hodnik, Ace president, says the alliance is an integral component of his company's overall strategic plan to grow the bottom line. In addition to selling to Ace customers for the past three years, NHS also sells to about a dozen buying groups. Sales through NHS to non-Ace customers have increased over the last two years, Hodnik adds, and the alliance with the ARA should build on that foundation.
According to Pamela McKenney, ARA president, forming the buying group is the next step in meeting the needs of the rental industry.
"The Member Buying Alliance will open doors to new markets for the vendors who join the program,'' she says. "And it will offer the smaller rental dealer the opportunity to purchase quality, name-brand equipment at low prices for consistent savings.''
More than 1,000 ARA members are expected to join MBA by the end of 1999.
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