Blog: Ace Hardware W. Jefferson Grand Opening

Ace Hardware W. Jefferson Grand Opening Blog
November 7, 2014
Plug Power Helps Ace Hardware Celebrate Grand Opening of New Retail Support Center

After more than a year in the making, a new hydrogen-fueled Ace Hardware retail distribution center has been completed and is now operational in W. Jefferson, Ohio. In celebration, Ace held a Grand Opening event and Plug Power was on-hand to join the festivities.

Plug Power is also helping Ace Hardware celebrate the enhanced productivity that will be achieved at the state-of-the-art facility – thanks to the GenDrive hydrogen fuel cells installed in its material handling fleet. A total of 35 reach trucks and 36 pallet jacks will be running 10-hour shifts, five days a week – powered by GenDrive.

Implementation of hydrogen fuel cells supports Ace Hardware’s clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. Powering the West Jefferson lift trucks with GenDrive units – rather than lead-acid batteries that have to be re-charged – is expected to save Ace Hardware approximately 330,115 kWh in annual electric power usage.

The 534,040 square foot distribution center and warehouse has 84 transport truck bays, and will serve Ace Hardware stores in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. There is also plenty of room for future expansion – with enough space to accommodate another 280,000 square feet.

Plug Power congratulates Ace Hardware on the grand opening and looks forward to supporting the company’s sustainability efforts. This site is a prime example of how GenDrive fuel cells provide an economic ROI to operations of all sizes.

For more on GenDrive hydrogen fuel cell deployments with Ace Hardware, see our Wilmer, Texas press release.