Henkle’s Ace Hardware recognized as national industry leader at ACE Conference

WEBB CITY / JOPLIN, MO — Henkle’s Ace Hardware, a locally owned and operated business serving the Four-States region, was recently recognized on the national stage at the ACE Leadership Conference, an annual gathering of more than 1,000 attendees representing the top 25% of ACE Retailers across the country.

As part of the conference, Cris Henkle, co-owner of Henkle’s Ace Hardware, was invited to serve as a panelist alongside other top-performing retailers to discuss how stores can achieve and sustain ACE Pinnacle status—the highest operational designation within the ACE Hardware network.

Both Henkle’s locations currently hold Pinnacle status placing them among the highest-performing ACE stores nationwide.

”Pinnacle status isn’t something you earn once and coast on,” said Cris Henkle. “It reflects daily discipline—inventory accuracy, customer satisfaction, associate trainings and operational excellence. Being asked to share our approach with other top retailers was an honor, and it reinforces that what we’re achieving here locally is working.”

ACE Pinnacle status is awarded to stores that demonstrate exceptional performance across multiple pillars, including product quality, convenience and fulfillment, customer service, associate readiness, and overall satisfaction.

For Henkle’s, those benchmarks translate directly into better experiences for customers across southwest Missouri and the surrounding Four-States area—whether they’re homeowners tackling weekend projects, contractors managing job sites, or neighbors stopping in for everyday solutions. 

“National recognition is meaningful, but what matters most is how we continue to show up for our customers,” said John Henkle, co-owner of Henkle’s Ace Hardware. “Being leaders within the ACE network helps us provide best-in-class service, trusted brands, and knowledgeable help to the communities we serve every day.”

Photos from the conference capture Cris Henkle on stage with fellow panelists, underscoring Henkle’s role as a valuable contributor to the future of independent hardware retail.