Ace Hardware Announces Groundbreaking Ace Center for Excellence

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 1, 2015) - Ace Hardware, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world, today announces the launch of its Ace Center for Excellence, a new division designed to share the strategies and key principles of the brand's unparalleled commitment to customer service with businesses and organizations around the world. The Center's goal is to help companies improve upon their customer experience based on Ace's award-winning approach through customized solutions, such as keynotes and workshops. 

The Ace Center for Excellence was inspired by Amaze Every Customer Every Time, a book written by Customer Service Expert and New York Times and Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, Shep Hyken. Amaze Every Customer Every Time describes how businesses can learn from Ace's fluency in customer service to achieve the same level of satisfaction with their customers.

"Ace Hardware has set the standard in customer service and the launch of The Ace Center for Excellence is a perfect way for Ace to share their award-winning knowledge with other companies looking to improve upon their customer service best practices," said Hyken. "It will be thrilling to watch as the Ace team empowers other businesses to amaze each of their customers, every time."

The Ace Center for Excellence has comprised a team, not of outside speakers, but rather the actual Ace team who has been living the brand's promise to inspire and educate business associates in the way that Ace Hardware associates strive for every day, guiding them towards excellence in customer service and overall business reputation. Ace Hardware President and CEO John Venhuizen, Executive Vice President Merchandising, Marketing and Sales, John Surane, Ray Griffith, former President/CEO of Ace Hardware, Art Freedman, internationally known speaker and Ace Hardware Store Owner of 25 years, and Gina Schaefer, passionate entrepreneur and owner of nine Ace Hardware stores, will deliver customized workshops and keynotes to inspire the same dedication Ace has for providing amazing customer service and ultimately improving the business's bottom line. Customized keynotes and workshops include: