Upper Dublin High School graduates Nate Kukla, class of 1994 (pictured above), and Graham Luckard, class of 1999, have been working together in the home services industry for over 12 years.
Kukla was recently appointed CEO of Ace Hardware Home Services as part of a large-scale acquisition of their company, Unique Indoor Comfort, LLC (UIC). Luckard currently serves as the company’s regional vice president.
“We met because our parents were members of the Maple Manor Swim Club in Maple Glen,” Kukla, a 1998 graduate of Penn State University, said. “I was his big brother on the swim team. We reconnected after he graduated from college.”
After reconnecting, Kukla and Luckard started a Conshohocken-based heating and air conditioning company in 2011. UIC was founded in 2021 and subsequently acquired by Ace Hardware in April 2023.
The acquisition is a part of Ace Hardware’s plan to bolster its service offerings by partnering with local companies that share its dedication to quality, integrity, and exceptional service.
“The acquisition is pretty exciting. Ace Hardware has a long legacy of providing superior service to homeowners. That’s a perfect match for us. We have 14 home service businesses today,” Kukla said.
Plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and electric are their bread and butter.
“When we started this business, we had a vision to revolutionize the home service industry, in the same way Chik-Fil-A has done for fast food. We wanted to focus on the customer experience. Our focus has always been to have good people who are passionate about helping others. We’ve had a tremendous amount of success, and as the business grew, we realized that there are others who are like-minded, and we’ve been looking to take them on. We share best practices and how to continue to provide best services and developmental opportunities,” Kukla said.
UIC is a fourth-generation HVAC company founded by Tom Mutz in 1960. With over 50 years of experience in sales, repair, and installation, the company has helped service over 13,800 families in the last year alone.
“Ace Hardware came along as a cooperative, and their focus has always been to be the friendly hardware folks. The do-it-yourself mentality is becoming more prevalent, and it’s been a perfect match from both perspectives,” Kukla said.
“Now our mission is to continue to build out the home services division of Ace Hardware,” he said. “We’re based in King of Prussia and we service the Ambler area. We also have an electric company called All Phase Electric Services that does work in the Philadelphia area.”
All Phase specializes in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work through the Main Line and Delaware Valley. Chris Caniglia started the business over 30 years ago, helping to establish the company’s reputation for excellence. He will continue to manage his team at All Phase, providing customers with quality workmanship and personalized service, a reputation his team shares with parent company Ace Hardware.
“We believe we have a real shot at being and becoming the best, most helpful hardware stores on the planet – and – the best, most trusted provider of home preservation services for customers who are longing to fill a gaping hole in their neighborhood; namely, a brand who will stand behind the products they sell and the services they offer,” said John Venhuizen, CEO of Ace Hardware. “And, with respect to prospective job creation, the opportunity may be even larger. In fact, we consider it our duty to offer people the opportunity – even without a college degree – for a meaningful and fulfilling life, skillfully working with their hands – and their head – to repair and replace, to preserve and protect, and to fortify and beautify the largest asset most people own; their home.”
About All Phase Electric Co.
All Phase Electric Co. has been serving the Main Line and Delaware Valley for the last 30 years, combining the latest electrical advancements and cutting-edge technology while still delivering the highest quality service. All Phase specializes in residential, commercial, and industrial work with a reputation for reliability, integrity, and customer satisfaction. For more information, visit allphaseelectricco.com
About Unique Heating and Cooling
Unique Heating and Cooling serves its customers in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area, providing over 50 years of experience in sales, repair, and installation of HVAC systems including heating, cooling, and geothermal systems. The team’s commitment to great customer service is what makes them unique, with a promise to deliver prompt service from knowledgeable technicians. For more information, visit uniqueheatingandcooling.com
About Werley Heating and Air Conditioning
Werley Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities for over four decades. As a family-owned business, it has earned a reputation for providing the highest quality products and services. Each system is custom designed to best suit the customer’s needs. The team’s highly trained, NATE certified, technicians install and service equipment as though it was in their own home. For more information, visit callwerley.com
About Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Santa Catarina, Mexico. Ace also owns Ace Hardware Home Services, a collection of local service companies with experienced professionals dedicated to helping homeowners complete home maintenance tasks. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the Helpful Hardware Folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.
For more on Unique Indoor Comfort, you can visit their website.