CHICAGO, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW), a leading
industrial distributor, today announced that Court Carruthers, 36, has been
named to a newly created position as President of its international businesses
in Canada (Acklands-Grainger Inc.), Mexico (Grainger S.A. de C.V.), and China.
Carruthers' new responsibilities include growing and improving Grainger's
international business operations, which had sales of more than $800 million
in 2008.
"Grainger's international opportunities to leverage its supply chain and
drive increased sales and profitability are significant," said Carruthers,
currently president of the company's Canadian subsidiary, Acklands-Grainger.
"I look forward to working with the Mexican and Chinese management teams to
ensure that we help our customers save time and money during this global
economic slowdown, while continuing to build on our success in Canada."
Carruthers joined Acklands-Grainger in 2002 as vice president, national
accounts and sales, where he has been responsible for the company's sales
strategy and operations. He was promoted to his current position in 2006, and
successfully grew sales at the Canadian business by almost 30 percent and
operating earnings by more than 250 percent. Prior to joining Grainger,
Carruthers served in increasingly responsible roles at Dynamex Inc., Veredex
Logistics Inc. and Purolator Courier Ltd. He holds a bachelor of commerce
degree with distinction from University of Alberta in Edmonton, a master of
business administration degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario,
and is a Certified Management Accountant. He and family live in Toronto.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2008 sales of $6.9 billion, is a
leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving
businesses and institutions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and
Panama. Through a highly integrated network including nearly 600 branches, 18
distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger's employees help
customers get the job done, saving them time and money by having the right
products to keep their facilities running.
CONTACT:
Ernest Duplessis
Vice President, Internal & External
Communications
+1-847-535-4356
ernest.duplessis@grainger.com
Robb
Kristopher
Director, Media Relations
+1-847-535-0879
robb.kristopher@grainger.com
Both of W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Web site: http://www.grainger.com