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Westlake Ace Hardware is still in acquisition mode, now making plans to buy the Dennis Company, a five-store home improvement chain in Washington.
On Jan. 11, Westlake announced the deal, which is slated to close March 26. The Dennis Company operates stores in Aberdeen, Elma, Long Beach, Montesano and Raymond, Washington. The retail hardware chain is 110 years old and employs about 85 workers.
The acquisition is one of several for Westlake within the past 12 months and will grow the corporately owned chain to 121 locations.
In December, Westlake announced plans to buy Seaboard Ace Hardware in Raleigh, North Carolina, in a deal that is expected to be finalized in February. In November, Westlake agreed to purchase Buikema’s Ace Hardware’s seven stores in Chicago and, in September, bought six Outer Banks Ace Hardware stores in North Carolina.
In addition, the company bought Indian Hills Ace Hardware in July in Wichita, Kansas, and two Q.P. Ace Hardware stores in June in Nebraska.
The Dennis Company stores will retain their existing name, staff and product mix after the purchase, according to Westlake.
“Westlake is a growing and vibrant brand. We are excited to welcome the Dennis Company into the Westlake family, expand our relationship within the communities they serve and continue their proud tradition of outstanding customer service,” says Joe Jeffries, president and chief operating officer of Westlake Ace Hardware.
Ace Hardware Corp. of Oak Brook, Illinois, owns and operates Westlake Ace Hardware as the co-op’s retail holdings division. Westlake currently operates stores in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.
