INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this outline is to provide you, our valued Ace Hardware supplier, a concise set of shipping instructions for all freight shipments destined for Ace Hardware Corporation Retail Support Centers. This will support our centers via the most economical means consistent with our service needs and requirements. Any deviation from these instructions must be authorized by Ace Hardware's Freight Consolidation department.

ROUTING
TRUCKLOAD (TL) AND LESS-THAN TRUCKLOAD (LTL)

The primary carrier for all shipments to our various Retail Support Center locations is our Ace private fleet. After preparing all applicable orders for shipment, please contact the appropriate regional Dispatch for routing instructions.

At this time, please be prepared to furnish the following information regarding the shipments.

1. Pieces (by Retail Support Center and in total)
2. Weight (by Retail Support Center and in total)
3. Cubic footage (by Retail Support Center and in total)
4. Purchase Order(s) (by Retail Support Center)
5. Your company name, address, phone number and your name
6. Your hours of operation for shipping purposes

DISPATCH PHONE NUMBERS

The dispatch phone number should also appear on each Ace purchase order.

If there are ever problems with shipments not being picked up within our twenty-four (24) hour guideline, please contact the Freight Consolidation and/or Redistribution Manager.

UNITED PARCEL SERVICE (UPS) / FEDEX GROUND SHIPMENTS

Any individual shipment weighing less than 200lbs and 130 inch girth is designated a small package shipment. Consequently, Ace will consider using FedEX Ground or UPS as the primary carrier concerning those loads. Listed below are the small package shipping instructions.

Backordered small package shipments
Please ship PPD direct to the appropriate Retail Support Center. Vendors are responsible for backordered small package shipments.

Non-backordered small package shipments:
Contact the corresponding Ace Frt. Consolidation Center (AFCC) for routing instructions. The corresponding AFCC manager will provide shipping instructions. If directed to ship UPS or FedEX Ground, the AFCC manager will provide Ace's unique small package account code.

Note: At no time should a vendor route an order UPS or FedEX ground to our consolidation facility. All UPS/FEDEX Ground loads should ship direct to the Retail Support Center.

NON-AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS FROM PROGRAM

It is certainly not our intent to be punitive, however, any non-authorized deviation may result in adjustments to your account. The following is a comprehensive list of those program deviations which would be considered as non-authorized.

1. Failure to call Regional Dispatch for routing instructions.
2. Failure to properly combine orders shipped on same day.
3. Failure to indicate all applicable Ace Purchase Order numbers on Memo BOL.
4. Failure to follow specific routing instructions.
5. Failure to label individual shipments / pieces properly.
6. Failure to provide individual shipment packing list.
7. Failure to utilize UPS for applicable shipments.
8. Failure to route UPS shipments direct to applicable Retail Support Center.
9. Failure to provide five (5) digit zip code for your shipping location.
10. Routing prepaid shipments through this program without proper authorization.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions concerning this program, please contact the Freight Consolidation and/or Redistribution Manager.