Alliance in Mexico

Ace Hardware, the American retailer-owned hardware and DIY cooperation, intends to establish a strategic alliance with the Mexican DIY group Practico Home Center. The two parties signed a letter of intent to this purpose at the National Hardware Show in Chicago. Practico is the retail format of Hardware Enterprises de Mexico, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prozent Commercial Mexicana de Pinturas (Comex), the country’s biggest paint manufacturer. The group operates 30 stores in and around Mexico City, which are to be retrofitted to the American partner’s concepts. Ace has had a presence in Mexico since 1990 and currently has 28 retailers operating 84 sales outlets in the country. According to a press release, both parties will profit from combining their buying activities, and the existing Ace members will benefit most particularly through the local sourcing of products.