The Company Earns this Distinction for the Fifth Consecutive Year

CHICAGO, DECEMBER 10, 2014  - Grainger (NYSE: GWW), the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products serving businesses and institutions, recently was named to the Chicago Tribune's 2014 Top Workplaces list for the fifth consecutive year. The company ranked as the 15th best large employer in the Chicago area, based on feedback from employees who described Grainger as a "strong company" and that they are "part of something meaningful."

"Our customers are faced with the ongoing challenge of increasing productivity and reducing expenses, while maintaining a safe environment," said Grainger's Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, Joseph High. "As a result, they ask a lot from us, and rightly so. To meet the demands of customers, our team members must be equipped, energized and eager to give their best every day. It's an honor to be a part of this Top Workplaces list and validation that we are serving our team members well, so they can do the same in serving our customers."

The 100 Top Workplaces are determined solely on employee feedback, based on a comprehensive survey conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, a workplace survey and improvement specialist. The list recognizes 100 companies in the Chicago area annually for their workplace culture and divides the winners into three categories - large, midsize and small, based on number of employees. Nearly 80,000 employees from hundreds of Chicago-area companies were surveyed to come up with the 100 best. More than 600 Chicago-area Grainger team members provided feedback on various aspects of Grainger's workplace.

Of the more than 23,000 team members who work for Grainger, nearly 4,000 are in the Chicago area. Average tenure for Grainger U.S. team members is more than nine years, which is double compared to other public companies.

Earlier this year, Grainger earned the number one ranking on the FORTUNE 2014 list of World's Most Admired Companies in the category of Wholesalers: Diversified.

About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2013 sales of $9.4 billion, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with operations in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Media Contact:
Joe Micucci
847.535.0879

joe.micucci@grainger.com

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