Founded in 1924, Ace Hardware Corporation is one of the largest retailer-owned cooperatives and one of the leaders in the convenience segment of the hardware industry in terms of wholesale and retail sales and strength of the brand. Based in Tucson, Ariz., it has 4,600 stores in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Ace stores offer a wide variety of hardware and fix-and-replace type products, as well as niche items and services. Ace Hardware Corporation operates 14 distribution centers in the United States and one in Shanghai, China.