Ray Griffith

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Ace Hardware ranked highest in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Store Satisfaction Study. Ace has taken the top spot ever since J.D. Powers began researching the home improvement category six years ago. The J.D. Power and Associates study is based on responses from more than 6,100 consumers who purchased home improvement products or services in the previous 12 months. Ace Hardware ranked highest among major retailers with an overall satisfaction index score of 781 on a 1,000-point scale. According to consumers, Ace performs particularly well in the

Oakbrook, Ill. -- Ace Hardware said Wednesday it has named John Venhuizen COO, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Venhuizen has spent nearly two decades with Ace and most recently served as executive VP supply chain, information technology and international. In this position, he helped grow the number of Ace stores around the world, as well as create a variety of successful support and incentive programs for retailers. Venhuizen will report to Ray Griffith, president and CEO.