is a dealer-owned corporation based in
Plymouth, Minnesota which provides distribution services for about 437 '''Hardware Hank'''
Hardware Store s and about 140 other member stores, and over 1000 non-member stores, with estimated sales over $173 million. It was founded in
1945 by
E.J. Koblas as United Furniture Distribution Company. The
Furniture division was sold in
1953 . It operates as a
Retailers' Cooperative , and in addition to Hardware Hank also services
Trust Worthy Hardware Stores ,
Golden Rule Lumber Centers , and
Ranch & Pet Supply . It is a member of the
Distribution America cooperative.
United Hardware serves parts of the
Midwest and the
Rocky Mountain states.
The company serves as a distributor in the following states (number Hardware Hank stores in parentheses)
Colorado (7),
Idaho (2),
Illinois (5),
Indiana ,
Iowa (53),
Kansas (5),
Kentucky ,
Michigan (5),
Minnesota (160),
Missouri ,
Montana (24),
Nebraska (15),
North Dakota (45),
Ohio ,
South Dakota (35),
Utah ,
Wisconsin (71), and
Wyoming (10).
According to the National Retail Hardware Assocation, United Hardware is the fifth largest wholesaling and distribution cooperative in the hardware store industry in the United States, behind
Ace Hardware ,
Do It Best ,
True Value , and
Handy Hardware .
