What Chilemat does

Chilemat is a Chilean national chain of hardware stores (Cadena Nacional de Ferreterías) that operates as a cooperative network connecting 190+ independently owned ferreterías across all 15 regions of Chile. Founded on May 2, 1995, the company is headquartered in San Bernardo, Santiago Metropolitan Region, and is governed by a Board of Directors composed of affiliated store owners. Chilemat provides its member stores with collective purchasing power, shared branding, marketing support, operational standardization, and access to 400+ active brand partners including Bosch, Makita, 3M, Sherwin Williams, Teka, Polpaico, Tempest, Stihl, and Karcher.

The business model is an affiliate/network membership structure rather than direct retail: independent hardware stores operate under the Chilemat brand while retaining local autonomy, and the central organization (~130 professionals) monetizes through network participation, supplier relationships, and national promotional campaigns such as the JMC 2026 vehicle lottery. End customers served include individual consumers seeking hardware products for home repairs and DIY work as well as professional contractors requiring quality tools and construction materials. The supporting technology stack is minimal — a public website with a store locator tool, social media presence, and a Firebase-backed content management system — with no proprietary software platform, mobile app, API, or AI/ML capabilities.

The company is privately held with no external venture capital or private equity backing, and leadership is headed by Chairman José Miguel Fernández Cuadra and General Manager Claudio Merino Díaz, supported by a full executive team covering marketing, logistics, IT, commercial, finance, and people functions. Chilemat regularly organizes industry events including ExpoFerretera and Innovamat to engage affiliated stores and brand partners.

Name

Chilemat

Legal name

Chilemat

Website

https://chilemat.cl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chilemat is a Chilean national cooperative chain connecting 190+ independent hardware stores across all 15 regions of Chile, providing collective purchasing, branding, and marketing support to affiliated ferreterías and serving both consumers and professional contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hardware Retail Network

NAICS

Hardware Merchant Wholesalers (42371)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware (5072)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction, Hardware & MRO Supply Clubs (Trades/Contractors) (CRAEAEAG)

Keywords

• Hardware retail network
• Construction materials
• Ferretería chain
• Building supplies
• Tool distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Franchise/Network Membership Fees: Chilemat generates revenue by connecting independent hardware stores under its national brand, providing collective purchasing power, marketing support, and operational standardization. The model benefits affiliated stores through bulk purchasing advantages, shared branding, and national promotion campaigns.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chilemat is a national chain (Cadena Nacional de Ferreterías) that connects independent hardware stores across Chile under a unified brand, providing them with collective purchasing power, brand recognition, marketing support, and operational standardization. Founded in 1995, the network spans 162-190+ affiliated hardware stores across all 15 regions of Chile, working with more than 400 active supplier brands including Bosch, Makita, 3M, Sherwin Williams, and Teka.

Product overview

Chilemat is a national chain of hardware stores (Cadena Nacional de Ferreterías) in Chile that connects independent hardware stores across the country with major brands. Founded in 1995, the company operates as a business-to-business (B2B) platform supporting over 190 associated hardware stores across 15 regions of Chile. The company works with more than 400 brands including Tempest, Tecno Mobili, Fas, Masisa, Bosch, Makita, Stihl, 3M, Karcher, and others to provide construction, tools, and hardware products to both individual consumers and professional contractors. Chilemat offers its associated stores benefits including expert guidance, access to reliable quality products, nationwide coverage, and the backing of a national retail chain. The platform does not appear to offer a standalone digital product, SaaS platform, or software solution—it operates as a wholesale purchasing cooperative and brand aggregator for the independent hardware retail sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chilemat Affiliate Hardware Store Network
• Multi-Brand Supplier Aggregation (400+ Brands)
• Online Store Locator Service
• National Promotional Campaigns (e.g., JMC 2026 Vehicle Lottery)

Quantifiable outcome

• 190+ hardware stores connected nationwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BoschcoreOthersBosch is one of the 400+ brand partners supplying products to Chilemat's network of affiliated hardware stores. Products include power tools, measuring instruments, and accessories.
• MakitacoreOthersMakita is a key brand partner providing professional-grade power tools to Chilemat's network of hardware stores across Chile.
• 3McoreOthers3M supplies a range of products including adhesives, safety equipment, and construction materials to Chilemat's affiliated stores.
• Sherwin WilliamscoreOthersSherwin Williams provides paints and coatings to Chilemat's hardware store network.
• TekacoreOthersTeka supplies kitchen appliances and hardware products to Chilemat's network.
• PolpaicocoreOthersPolpaico is a key cement and construction materials supplier. In their 80th anniversary, Polpaico recognized Chilemat for their sustained commercial alliance and collaboration.
• 400+ Brands (Supplier Network)coreOthersChilemat works with over 400 active brands providing quality products to their network of 190+ affiliated hardware stores across Chile. Brands include tools, construction materials, paints, plumbing, electrical, and more.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Imperial: Imperial is a Chilean construction-materials and hardware retailer serving consumers and trade customers. It is directly comparable to Chilemat's core hardware category, although Imperial does not use the same independent-store affiliation model.

Broad incumbents

• Construmart: Construmart is a Chilean construction-materials and home-improvement retailer offering tools and supplies to consumers and trade customers. It is a broad incumbent comparable to Chilemat in product category and target market, but with a more centralized retail-store model.
• Easy: Easy is a major Chilean home-improvement and hardware retailer serving consumers and construction professionals. It is comparable to Chilemat through its broad hardware assortment, national positioning, and overlapping customer base, although Easy operates as a large incumbent retail chain.
• Sodimac: Sodimac is an established home-improvement retailer in Chile with tools, construction materials, and related products for consumers and professionals. Its scale, assortment, and nationwide presence make it a broad incumbent comparable to Chilemat.

Others

• MTS: MTS supplies construction materials, tools, and related hardware products to professional and commercial customers in Chile. It is an adjacent distributor to Chilemat's supplier and purchasing ecosystem rather than a direct affiliated-store competitor.
• Dimerc: Dimerc is a Chilean distributor of tools, construction supplies, safety products, and equipment for businesses and professionals. Its B2B assortment and logistics role make it an adjacent operating and channel comparator for Chilemat.
• Rhona: Rhona is a Chilean construction-materials distributor serving professional and project-based demand. It is comparable to the supplier side of Chilemat's network, although it is a distributor rather than a retail-affiliation platform.

Regional players

• Do it Center: Do it Center operates a network of home-improvement and hardware stores across Central America. It is closely comparable to Chilemat's affiliated-store network and multi-brand offering, but primarily serves markets outside Chile.
• Promart: Promart is a Peruvian home-improvement and construction-materials retailer with products for DIY customers and professionals. It is relevant to Chilemat through its category overlap and nationwide retail proposition, despite its different national market.
• EPA: EPA is a Central American home-improvement and hardware retail chain serving household and professional needs. It overlaps with Chilemat in product categories, customers, and brand-led retail positioning, while operating in a different region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chilemat
• Xx.com/Chilemat
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChilematCL

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chilemat