Acklands-Grainger Continues to Broaden Quebec Presence with Purchase of Baie-Comeau Distributor


TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2011 - Acklands-Grainger Inc., Canada's largest distributor of industrial, safety and fastener supplies, today announced it has acquired the assets of Baie-Comeau industrial distributor Fercomat Inc., effective September 19, 2011. Acklands-Grainger expects an incremental sales contribution of approximately $3 million from this acquisition over the next 12 months. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Fercomat has a strong track record of service and by working together, we will leverage our combined expertise to offer local customers - such as mining, hydroelectricity and aluminum industries - access to the broad array of products and services they need to help keep their facilities running and their employees safe," said Sean O'Brien, President, Acklands-Grainger. "We're committed to serving the needs of Quebec businesses and this acquisition helps ensure we're in the best position to do so."

"Fercomat has worked hard since 1957 to provide businesses and institutions in Quebec with quality products and strong technical expertise," said Pierre Dassylva, President, Fercomat. "We are thrilled to be joining Canada's leading industrial, safety and fastener distributor and know our customers will benefit from Acklands-Grainger's broad product offering, industry-leading supply chain and commitment to service."

Acklands-Grainger has served Quebec for more than 74 years through 14 branch locations, an award-winning French website and a French catalogue with more than 120,000 products. The acquisition of Fercomat is the company's third in Quebec in the past three years, continuing a focused investment strategy and strong commitment to the province. For more information about Acklands-Grainger, please visit. www.acklandsgrainger.com.

About Acklands-Grainger Inc.

Founded in 1889, Acklands-Grainger is Canada's largest distributor of industrial, safety and fastener products, with over 120,000 in-stock products available from 175 branches and six distribution centres coast to coast to coast. For more information about Acklands-Grainger, please visit www.acklandsgrainger.com.

Its parent company, W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2010 sales of $7.2 billion, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with expanding operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America. For more information about the company, visit http://www.grainger.com/investor.

About Fercomat Inc.

Founded in 1957, Fercomat Inc. is a distributor of hardware, tools and fasteners in Quebec with one location in Baie-Comeau. For more information about Fercomat, please visit www.fercomat.com.

SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.

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