On March 31, John Venhuizen will step from behind the scenes into one of the most front-and-center posts in the hardware business — that of CEO of Ace Hardware Corp. After standing and delivering a motivational presentation to thousands of dealers at the co-op's Spring Convention & Exhibits in New Orleans, he sat down with HCN.

HCN: What worries you as you step into the CEO role?

An Aubuchon Hardware location in Bangor, Maine, has closed its doors.

A sign on the door of the Aubuchon Hardware store in Bangor explained the team was happy to serve the community. Customers were directed to nearby stores in Brewer and Old Town. 

An article in the Bangor Daily News reported that the location suffered from poor sales despite the chain’s best efforts to keep it going.  

Wood Resources, a company that makes wood panels for residential and commercial construction, has appointed Kurt Liebich as president and CEO, as well as group executive for wood products for parent company Atlas Holdings. Liebich will also continue in his current role as president and CEO of RedBuilt, Atlas’ wood-based structural solutions company.

Oklahoma City-based M-D Building Products acquired Loxcreen Co., a privately held precision manufacturing company founded in 1946 on patents for fabricating window screens. 

The acquisition includes Loxcreen’s Canadian flooring group operated under the Bengard Manufacturing name in Mississauga, Ontario. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The combined sales of both companies will exceed $200 million annually. 

Ace Hardware Corp.’s paint program is going through a major makeover with Valspar stepping up as a supplier and taking over the co-op’s paint manufacturing facilities. 

Ace and Valspar announced a long-term deal, under which Valspar will manufacture and supply Ace-branded paint products to Ace dealers. The companies also announced that Valspar has acquired Ace Hardware’s paint manufacturing assets, including two manufacturing facilities located near Chicago.

The Hillman Cos. agreed to buy Toronto-based fastener distributor H. Paulin & Co. for $103.7 million (C$103 million).

“We are excited to become an integral part of the Hillman organization,” said Richard Paulin, who will continue as president of the new division of Hillman Canada. “This acquisition joins two great and complementary industry leaders with over 140 years of combined fastener knowledge.”

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013.

Natchez, Miss.-based Central Network Retail Group (CNRG) added to its growing list of acquisitions with Habersham Hardware and Home Center in Cornelia and Clarkesville, Ga. 

CNRG operates 39 home center and hardware stores in seven Southern states. At Habersham, Brentt Cody, the grandson of the retailer’s founder Paul Reeves, will serve as district manager for CNRG’s newly formed Georgia District. Both Habersham stores sell hardware, plumbing, appliances, tools, paint, lumberand building supplies. 

A Phoenix businessman who sold two stores six years ago has opened Carl’s Ace Hardware Store, according to the Peoria (Ariz.) Times. 

The businessman, Steve Herrgesell, sold Ace Hardware Stores in Tempe and south Phoenix about six years ago. He also co-founded Peter Piper Pizza. He opened the new store, at 75th Ave. and Cactus Road with his son Carl and daughter in law, Faith.