AFTER NINE MONTHS of "courting" each other, the marriage of the Ace Corporation, an international hardware company, and Dacosta Mannings was launched Monday at Mannings' Warrens branch.

Ace, one of the largest hardware wholesalers in the world, has already partnered with retailers in several Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago and St Vincent.

Paul Rowe, Retail Director for Dacosta Mannings, said the new relationship would result in a wider range of product offerings, especially in the lawn and garden, paint and electrical departments.

He added that automobile, pet care and houseware departments would be coming to the store in the future.

Julio Martinez, business manager for Latin America and the Caribbean from the Ace Corporation, said the company chose Dacosta Mannings because "we saw it as the strongest chain in the market". (LW/AH)