Hardware giant to open new distribution center in region

PLANT CITY — Ace Hardware Corp. plans to move its local retail support center, currently in Tampa, to a new facility in Plant City. 

In a press release, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based hardware retailer says construction of the new center will begin in October. It’s expected to open in November 2021. According to builder County Line Farms One LLC, the project will bring 200 construction jobs to the community. 

When complete, the release states, the 710,000-square-foot facility will employ about 40 people. 

“We are excited to break ground on our new Plant City retail support center, an important piece in our overall supply chain,” states Lori Bossmann, Ace Hardware Corp.’s executive vice president and chief supply chain officer, in the release. “Ace’s continued volume growth has driven our need for a larger facility to accommodate our growing business demands. This relocation will enable faster service for Ace retailers and ultimately our valued customers.” 

The new Plant City retail support center will be more than 315,000 square feet larger than the Tampa facility, the release states, and it will support some 200 Ace Hardware stores across Florida. 

“On behalf of our City Commission, I would like to welcome Ace Hardware Corp. to Plant City,” Plant City Mayor Rick Lott states in the release. “Development activity along County Line Road continues to generate great employment and economic development opportunities for our city, its residents and our neighbors."