CHICAGO, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grainger, North America's
leading supplier of facilities maintenance products, today announced its Lab
Safety Supply subsidiary has acquired Gempler's, a direct marketer and
division of Gempler's, Inc. Lab Safety had signed a definitive agreement in
February of this year to purchase Gempler's. Final terms of the transaction
were not disclosed.
Gempler's provides the $3 billion agricultural, horticultural, grounds
maintenance and contractor markets with tools, safety supplies, clothing and
other equipment. Lab Safety is North America's premier direct marketer
providing safety and industrial supplies.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), is the leading broad line supplier of
facilities products in North America. Grainger serves customers through a
network of nearly 600 branches, 17 distribution centers, and four Web sites.
Sales for 2002 were $4.6 billion. For more information, visit Grainger online
at www.grainger.com .
SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.