W.W. Grainger, Inc., commonly referred to as Grainger, is a Fortune 500 industrial supply company founded in 1927 by William W. Grainger. The company's headquarters are located in Lake Forest, Illinois, USA. Grainger distributes a wide range of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies to businesses and institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company offers a vast selection of products ranging from safety equipment, power tools, and fasteners to office supplies, lighting, and janitorial supplies.
Grainger started as a small business with a single catalog containing around 400 items and has since grown to offer millions of products. The company has also expanded its services to include inventory management solutions, technical support, and safety consulting. With more than 26,000 employees and a presence in more than 150 countries, Grainger has established itself as a leading industrial supply company.
Grainger went public in 1967, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GWW. Since then, the company has experienced steady growth, expanding both organically and through acquisitions. In recent years, the company has focused on growing its digital capabilities, investing in e-commerce platforms and mobile applications to enhance the customer experience.
Despite facing increased competition from e-commerce giants like Amazon, Grainger has continued to thrive, with annual revenue exceeding $11 billion. The company has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, launching initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint and improve social responsibility. In 2020, Grainger was named one of the world's most ethical companies by Ethisphere Institute, a recognition it has received for ten consecutive years.