News Details

Acklands - Grainger Inc. Acquires Excel Industriel

June 9, 2008

CHICAGO, June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW), North America's leading industrial distributor, today announced that its Canadian subsidiary, Acklands - Grainger Inc., has acquired substantially all of the assets of Excel Industriel located in Granby, Quebec. Excel is a business-to-business broad line distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We are very excited about joining forces with Excel," said Court D. Carruthers, President of Acklands - Grainger. "They are a leading player in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and have a long history of excellent customer service."

"Excel has been in business since 1951. Our business is a perfect fit for Acklands - Grainger. We share common values and expect a seamless transition," adds Louis Menard, President, Excel Industriel.

The company expects an incremental sales contribution of approximately $11 million from this acquisition over the next 12 months. The two existing Acklands - Grainger and Excel branches in Granby will be merged; integration is expected within 60 days.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2007 sales of $6.4 billion, is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with a growing presence in Shanghai, China. Through a highly integrated network including more than 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger's employees help customers get the job done.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements under the federal securities law. The forward-looking statements relate to the company's expected future financial results and business plans, strategies and objectives are not historical facts. They are generally identified by qualifiers such as "expect," "expects," "expected," or similar expressions. There are risks and uncertainties the outcome of which could cause the company's results to differ materially from what is projected. The forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the company's most recent annual report, as well as the company's Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, containing a discussion of the company's business and various factors that may affect it.

CONTACT:
Media
Robb Kristopher
Director, Corporate Media Relations
+1-847-535-0879

Investors
Nancy Hobor
Sr. Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations
+1-847-535-0065
Both of W.W. Grainger, Inc.