News Release

CHICAGO, March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- William D. Chapman, Senior Director of Investor Relations for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), was honored this week by Institutional Investor magazine as America's top Investor Relations professional in 2012. In voting by buy-side financial analysts in the magazine's 2012 Annual Survey, Chapman was ranked as IR Professional of the Year in the Capital Goods Industry.

"From his institutional and industry knowledge to his ongoing commitment to building relationships, Bill embodies leadership in investor relations," said Laura Brown, Senior Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations for Grainger. "We are proud of all Bill has accomplished and pleased to see him honored for his years of dedication."

For more than 30 years, Institutional Investor has recognized people and firms across the corporate, investor and financial services communities for professional excellence based on its research and rankings. To determine the members of the 2012 All-America Executive Team, Institutional Investor surveyed buy-side analysts, portfolio managers, and sell-side analysts at financial institutions to name the best chief executive officers, chief financial officers, investor relations professionals, and companies with the best investor relations programs in their domains. Survey results reflect the opinions of nearly 1,350 money managers and investment professionals at more than 600 buy-side firms and over 830 sell-side analysts from about 150 institutions.

A Grainger team member since 1984, Chapman was recently promoted to the role of Senior Director, Investor Relations. He has served as Director of Investor Relations since October 1999. He is one of the company's primary contacts with the investment community. Chapman also is a member of the advisory board of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI). In addition, he is a director and scholarship chairman of the Wisconsin Alumni Association-Chicago Chapter.

About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2011 sales of $8.1 billion, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with expanding global operations.  For more information about the company, visit www.grainger.com/investor.

SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Media, Robb Kristopher, Director, Media Relations, +1-847-535-0879, or Kellie Harris, Manager, Media Relations, +1-847-535-1542, or Investors, Laura Brown, SVP, Communications & Investor Relations, +1-847-535-0409, or William Chapman, Senior Director, Investor Relations, +1-847-535-0881, all of Grainger