|
Illinois
|
|
36-1150280
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
|
|
|
|
100 Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, Illinois
|
|
60045-5201
|
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
|
(Zip Code)
|
(847) 535-1000
|
||
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
|
||
|
||
Not Applicable
|
||
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year; if changed since last report)
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
|
September 30,
|
|
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
2,831,429
|
|
|
$
|
2,635,999
|
|
|
$
|
8,458,042
|
|
|
$
|
7,792,397
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
1,752,194
|
|
|
1,618,819
|
|
|
5,176,107
|
|
|
4,716,069
|
|
||||
Gross profit
|
1,079,235
|
|
|
1,017,180
|
|
|
3,281,935
|
|
|
3,076,328
|
|
||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
890,113
|
|
|
739,442
|
|
|
2,413,997
|
|
|
2,277,009
|
|
||||
Operating earnings
|
189,122
|
|
|
277,738
|
|
|
867,938
|
|
|
799,319
|
|
||||
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Interest income
|
2,003
|
|
|
707
|
|
|
3,645
|
|
|
1,365
|
|
||||
Interest expense
|
(22,353
|
)
|
|
(23,790
|
)
|
|
(69,942
|
)
|
|
(64,971
|
)
|
||||
Losses from equity method investment
|
(3,731
|
)
|
|
(10,635
|
)
|
|
(18,271
|
)
|
|
(25,130
|
)
|
||||
Other, net
|
5,976
|
|
|
5,978
|
|
|
18,001
|
|
|
17,284
|
|
||||
Total other expense, net
|
(18,105
|
)
|
|
(27,740
|
)
|
|
(66,567
|
)
|
|
(71,452
|
)
|
||||
Earnings before income taxes
|
171,017
|
|
|
249,998
|
|
|
801,371
|
|
|
727,867
|
|
||||
Income taxes
|
55,972
|
|
|
79,182
|
|
|
197,798
|
|
|
267,239
|
|
||||
Net earnings
|
115,045
|
|
|
170,816
|
|
|
603,573
|
|
|
460,628
|
|
||||
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
10,668
|
|
|
8,810
|
|
|
30,680
|
|
|
25,957
|
|
||||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.
|
$
|
104,377
|
|
|
$
|
162,006
|
|
|
$
|
572,893
|
|
|
$
|
434,671
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Basic
|
$
|
1.84
|
|
|
$
|
2.80
|
|
|
$
|
10.12
|
|
|
$
|
7.43
|
|
Diluted
|
$
|
1.82
|
|
|
$
|
2.79
|
|
|
$
|
10.04
|
|
|
$
|
7.39
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic
|
56,339,630
|
|
|
57,316,532
|
|
|
56,172,277
|
|
|
58,010,222
|
|
||||
Diluted
|
56,803,857
|
|
|
57,521,348
|
|
|
56,588,530
|
|
|
58,329,925
|
|
||||
Cash dividends paid per share
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
|
$
|
1.28
|
|
|
$
|
4.00
|
|
|
$
|
3.78
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
|
September 30,
|
|
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Net earnings
|
$
|
115,045
|
|
|
$
|
170,816
|
|
|
$
|
603,573
|
|
|
$
|
460,628
|
|
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
213
|
|
|
24,563
|
|
|
(25,142
|
)
|
|
100,409
|
|
||||
Postretirement benefit plan re-measurement, net of tax expense $29,172 (see note 8)
|
—
|
|
|
46,543
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
46,543
|
|
||||
Postretirement benefit plan reclassification, net of tax benefit of $825, $962, $2,475 and $2,720, respectively
|
(2,440
|
)
|
|
(1,540
|
)
|
|
(7,317
|
)
|
|
(4,338
|
)
|
||||
Other
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
||||
Total other comprehensive (losses) earnings
|
(2,226
|
)
|
|
69,567
|
|
|
(32,436
|
)
|
|
142,603
|
|
||||
Comprehensive earnings, net of tax
|
112,819
|
|
|
240,383
|
|
|
571,137
|
|
|
603,231
|
|
||||
Less: Comprehensive earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net earnings
|
10,668
|
|
|
8,810
|
|
|
30,680
|
|
|
25,957
|
|
||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
(4,472
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(2,248
|
)
|
|
4,338
|
|
||||
Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
6,196
|
|
|
8,802
|
|
|
28,432
|
|
|
30,295
|
|
||||
Comprehensive earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.
|
$
|
106,623
|
|
|
$
|
231,581
|
|
|
$
|
542,705
|
|
|
$
|
572,936
|
|
|
As of
|
||||||
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
||||
ASSETS
|
September 30, 2018
|
|
Dec 31, 2017
|
||||
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
516,850
|
|
|
$
|
326,876
|
|
Accounts receivable (less allowances for doubtful
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
accounts of $27,336 and $29,267, respectively)
|
1,481,300
|
|
|
1,325,186
|
|
||
Inventories, net
|
1,473,117
|
|
|
1,429,199
|
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
93,586
|
|
|
86,667
|
|
||
Prepaid income taxes
|
18,491
|
|
|
38,061
|
|
||
Total current assets
|
3,583,344
|
|
|
3,205,989
|
|
||
PROPERTY, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT, NET
|
1,348,914
|
|
|
1,391,967
|
|
||
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
|
20,726
|
|
|
22,362
|
|
||
GOODWILL
|
429,818
|
|
|
543,903
|
|
||
INTANGIBLES, NET
|
479,521
|
|
|
569,115
|
|
||
OTHER ASSETS
|
69,860
|
|
|
70,918
|
|
||
TOTAL ASSETS
|
$
|
5,932,183
|
|
|
$
|
5,804,254
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
||||
Short-term debt
|
$
|
49,429
|
|
|
$
|
55,603
|
|
Current maturities of long-term debt
|
36,973
|
|
|
38,709
|
|
||
Trade accounts payable
|
730,215
|
|
|
731,582
|
|
||
Accrued compensation and benefits
|
215,727
|
|
|
254,560
|
|
||
Accrued contributions to employees' profit sharing plans
|
93,509
|
|
|
92,682
|
|
||
Accrued expenses
|
302,263
|
|
|
313,766
|
|
||
Income taxes payable
|
39,216
|
|
|
19,759
|
|
||
Total current liabilities
|
1,467,332
|
|
|
1,506,661
|
|
||
LONG-TERM DEBT (less current maturities)
|
2,148,399
|
|
|
2,248,036
|
|
||
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND TAX UNCERTAINTIES
|
115,644
|
|
|
111,710
|
|
||
EMPLOYMENT-RELATED AND OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
100,754
|
|
|
110,114
|
|
||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cumulative preferred stock – $5 par value – 12,000,000 shares authorized; none issued nor outstanding
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
||
Common stock – $0.50 par value – 300,000,000 shares authorized;
109,659,219 shares issued |
54,830
|
|
|
54,830
|
|
||
Additional contributed capital
|
1,124,831
|
|
|
1,040,493
|
|
||
Retained earnings
|
7,751,677
|
|
|
7,405,192
|
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive losses
|
(164,862
|
)
|
|
(134,674
|
)
|
||
Treasury stock, at cost – 53,338,756 and 53,330,356 shares, respectively
|
(6,828,773
|
)
|
|
(6,675,709
|
)
|
||
Total W.W. Grainger, Inc. shareholders’ equity
|
1,937,703
|
|
|
1,690,132
|
|
||
Noncontrolling interest
|
162,351
|
|
|
137,601
|
|
||
Total shareholders' equity
|
2,100,054
|
|
|
1,827,733
|
|
||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
$
|
5,932,183
|
|
|
$
|
5,804,254
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||
|
September 30,
|
||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
||||
Net earnings
|
$
|
603,573
|
|
|
$
|
460,628
|
|
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
|
6,784
|
|
|
15,187
|
|
||
Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties
|
10,004
|
|
|
(15,261
|
)
|
||
Depreciation and amortization
|
191,602
|
|
|
194,338
|
|
||
Net gains from sales of assets and divestitures
|
(22,270
|
)
|
|
(7,163
|
)
|
||
Impairment of goodwill, intangible and other assets
|
142,155
|
|
|
18,459
|
|
||
Stock-based compensation
|
36,241
|
|
|
27,152
|
|
||
Losses from equity method investment
|
18,271
|
|
|
25,130
|
|
||
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts receivable
|
(171,829
|
)
|
|
(145,631
|
)
|
||
Inventories
|
(53,270
|
)
|
|
34,851
|
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
(12,920
|
)
|
|
(4,206
|
)
|
||
Trade accounts payable
|
4,419
|
|
|
56,717
|
|
||
Other current liabilities
|
(36,377
|
)
|
|
29,643
|
|
||
Income taxes payable, net
|
38,666
|
|
|
18,015
|
|
||
Accrued employment-related benefits cost
|
(18,408
|
)
|
|
4,306
|
|
||
Other, net
|
6,363
|
|
|
8,713
|
|
||
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
743,004
|
|
|
720,878
|
|
||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Additions to property, buildings and equipment and intangibles
|
(168,896
|
)
|
|
(191,183
|
)
|
||
Proceeds from sales of assets and business divestitures
|
75,558
|
|
|
110,421
|
|
||
Equity method investment
|
(11,875
|
)
|
|
(22,430
|
)
|
||
Other, net
|
—
|
|
|
3,554
|
|
||
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(105,213
|
)
|
|
(99,638
|
)
|
||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper
|
18
|
|
|
(369,748
|
)
|
||
Borrowings under lines of credit
|
23,782
|
|
|
33,931
|
|
||
Payments against lines of credit
|
(27,899
|
)
|
|
(39,705
|
)
|
||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
|
185
|
|
|
424,020
|
|
||
Payments of long-term debt
|
(89,408
|
)
|
|
(15,812
|
)
|
||
Proceeds from stock options exercised
|
179,549
|
|
|
27,255
|
|
||
Payments for employee taxes withheld from stock awards
|
(11,381
|
)
|
|
(17,546
|
)
|
||
Purchase of treasury stock
|
(282,746
|
)
|
|
(435,983
|
)
|
||
Cash dividends paid
|
(232,289
|
)
|
|
(225,504
|
)
|
||
Other, net
|
2,747
|
|
|
—
|
|
||
Net cash used in financing activities
|
(437,442
|
)
|
|
(619,092
|
)
|
||
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents
|
(10,375
|
)
|
|
8,281
|
|
||
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
189,974
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
326,876
|
|
|
274,146
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$
|
516,850
|
|
|
$
|
284,575
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
|
|||||||
|
U.S.
|
|
Canada
|
|
Total Company (2)
|
|||
Government
|
20
|
%
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
15
|
%
|
Heavy Manufacturing
|
19
|
%
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
18
|
%
|
Light Manufacturing
|
13
|
%
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
11
|
%
|
Transportation
|
5
|
%
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
5
|
%
|
Commercial
|
16
|
%
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
13
|
%
|
Retail/Wholesale
|
8
|
%
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
7
|
%
|
Contractors
|
9
|
%
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
8
|
%
|
Natural Resources
|
3
|
%
|
|
34
|
%
|
|
4
|
%
|
Other (1)
|
7
|
%
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
19
|
%
|
Total net sales
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
Percent of Total Company Revenue
|
73
|
%
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
|
|||||||
|
U.S.
|
|
Canada
|
|
Total Company (2)
|
|||
Government
|
19
|
%
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
14
|
%
|
Heavy Manufacturing
|
19
|
%
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
18
|
%
|
Light Manufacturing
|
13
|
%
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
11
|
%
|
Transportation
|
5
|
%
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
5
|
%
|
Commercial
|
16
|
%
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
13
|
%
|
Retail/Wholesale
|
8
|
%
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
7
|
%
|
Contractors
|
10
|
%
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
8
|
%
|
Natural Resources
|
3
|
%
|
|
33
|
%
|
|
4
|
%
|
Other (1)
|
7
|
%
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
20
|
%
|
Total net sales
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
Percent of Total Company Revenue
|
73
|
%
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
As of
|
||||||
|
September 30, 2018
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
||
Land
|
$
|
319,990
|
|
|
$
|
348,739
|
|
Building, structures and improvements
|
1,339,754
|
|
|
1,342,508
|
|
||
Furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment
|
1,781,459
|
|
|
1,753,413
|
|
||
Property, buildings and equipment
|
$
|
3,441,203
|
|
|
$
|
3,444,660
|
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
2,092,289
|
|
|
2,052,693
|
|
||
Property, buildings and equipment, net
|
$
|
1,348,914
|
|
|
$
|
1,391,967
|
|
|
|
United States
|
|
Canada
|
|
Other businesses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2017
|
|
$
|
202,020
|
|
|
$
|
122,140
|
|
|
$
|
202,990
|
|
|
$
|
527,150
|
|
Divestiture
|
|
(3,316
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3,316
|
)
|
||||
Impairment
|
|
(7,169
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(7,169
|
)
|
||||
Translation
|
|
—
|
|
|
8,282
|
|
|
18,956
|
|
|
27,238
|
|
||||
Balance at December 31, 2017
|
|
191,535
|
|
|
130,422
|
|
|
221,946
|
|
|
543,903
|
|
||||
Divestiture
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
||||
Impairment
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(104,461
|
)
|
|
(104,461
|
)
|
||||
Translation
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3,304
|
)
|
|
(6,320
|
)
|
|
(9,624
|
)
|
||||
Balance at September 30, 2018
|
|
$
|
191,535
|
|
|
$
|
127,118
|
|
|
$
|
111,165
|
|
|
$
|
429,818
|
|
Cumulative goodwill impairment charges, December 31, 2017
|
|
$
|
24,207
|
|
|
$
|
32,265
|
|
|
$
|
70,299
|
|
|
$
|
126,771
|
|
Impairment
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
104,461
|
|
|
104,461
|
|
||||
Cumulative goodwill impairment charges, September 30, 2018
|
|
$
|
24,207
|
|
|
$
|
32,265
|
|
|
$
|
174,760
|
|
|
$
|
231,232
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2018
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Weighted average life
|
|
Gross carrying amount
|
|
Accumulated amortization
|
|
Net carrying amount
|
|
Gross carrying amount
|
|
Accumulated amortization
|
|
Net carrying amount
|
||||||||||||
Customer lists and relationships
|
14.3 years
|
|
$
|
413,216
|
|
|
$
|
199,645
|
|
|
$
|
213,571
|
|
|
$
|
430,026
|
|
|
$
|
195,842
|
|
|
$
|
234,184
|
|
Trademarks, trade names and other
|
14.5 years
|
|
24,073
|
|
|
14,945
|
|
|
9,128
|
|
|
25,886
|
|
|
16,054
|
|
|
9,832
|
|
||||||
Non-amortized trade names and other
|
|
|
99,172
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
99,172
|
|
|
137,491
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
137,491
|
|
||||||
Capitalized software
|
4.2 years
|
|
652,501
|
|
|
494,851
|
|
|
157,650
|
|
|
632,431
|
|
|
444,823
|
|
|
187,608
|
|
||||||
Total intangible assets
|
8.2 years
|
|
$
|
1,188,962
|
|
|
$
|
709,441
|
|
|
$
|
479,521
|
|
|
$
|
1,225,834
|
|
|
$
|
656,719
|
|
|
$
|
569,115
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
Total
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Involuntary employee termination costs
|
|
Other charges (gains)
|
|
|
|
Involuntary employee termination costs
|
|
Other charges (gains)
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
|
$
|
48
|
|
|
$
|
3,453
|
|
|
$
|
(1
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
$
|
(100
|
)
|
|
$
|
10,917
|
|
|
$
|
(2,873
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,944
|
|
Canada
|
(189
|
)
|
|
3,431
|
|
|
(4,123
|
)
|
|
(881
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,882
|
|
|
3,055
|
|
|
4,937
|
|
||||||||
Other businesses
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,115
|
|
|
1,115
|
|
|
581
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
(864
|
)
|
|
(210
|
)
|
||||||||
Total
|
$
|
(141
|
)
|
|
$
|
6,884
|
|
|
$
|
(3,009
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,734
|
|
|
$
|
481
|
|
|
$
|
12,872
|
|
|
$
|
(682
|
)
|
|
$
|
12,671
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
Total
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Involuntary employee termination costs
|
|
Other charges (gains)
|
|
|
|
Involuntary employee termination costs
|
|
Other charges (gains)
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
|
$
|
348
|
|
|
$
|
12,133
|
|
|
$
|
(7,444
|
)
|
|
$
|
5,037
|
|
|
$
|
(100
|
)
|
|
$
|
19,459
|
|
|
$
|
(17,634
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,725
|
|
Canada
|
(611
|
)
|
|
23,131
|
|
|
(463
|
)
|
|
22,057
|
|
|
2,574
|
|
|
9,842
|
|
|
14,093
|
|
|
26,509
|
|
||||||||
Other businesses
|
1,083
|
|
|
1,564
|
|
|
2,015
|
|
|
4,662
|
|
|
581
|
|
|
3,595
|
|
|
37,124
|
|
|
41,300
|
|
||||||||
Unallocated expense
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4,688
|
)
|
|
(4,688
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
||||||||
Total
|
$
|
820
|
|
|
$
|
36,828
|
|
|
$
|
(10,580
|
)
|
|
$
|
27,068
|
|
|
$
|
3,055
|
|
|
$
|
32,896
|
|
|
$
|
33,583
|
|
|
$
|
69,534
|
|
|
Current asset write-downs
|
|
Property, buildings and equipment write-downs and disposals
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Involuntary employee termination costs
|
|
Lease termination costs
|
|
Other costs
|
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2017
|
$
|
13,101
|
|
|
$
|
741
|
|
|
50,289
|
|
|
$
|
4,893
|
|
|
$
|
12,764
|
|
|
$
|
81,788
|
|
|
Restructuring costs, net of (gains)
|
4,201
|
|
|
(17,847
|
)
|
|
36,828
|
|
|
3,456
|
|
|
430
|
|
|
27,068
|
|
||||||
Cash (paid) received, net
|
(844
|
)
|
|
45,020
|
|
|
(45,056
|
)
|
|
(3,886
|
)
|
|
(1,632
|
)
|
|
(6,398
|
)
|
||||||
Non-cash, translation and other
|
(13,866
|
)
|
|
(27,293
|
)
|
|
(1,276
|
)
|
|
(1,729
|
)
|
|
(6,393
|
)
|
|
(50,557
|
)
|
||||||
Balances as of September 30, 2018
|
$
|
2,592
|
|
|
$
|
621
|
|
|
$
|
40,785
|
|
|
$
|
2,734
|
|
|
$
|
5,169
|
|
|
$
|
51,901
|
|
|
Cumulative amount incurred to date
|
|
Additional amount expected
|
||||
U.S.
|
$
|
67,435
|
|
|
$
|
2,339
|
|
Canada
|
80,525
|
|
|
6,749
|
|
||
Other businesses
|
65,378
|
|
|
545
|
|
||
Unallocated expense
|
14,852
|
|
|
—
|
|
||
Total
|
$
|
228,190
|
|
|
$
|
9,633
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2018
|
|
As of December 31, 2017
|
||||||||||||
|
Carrying Value
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Carrying Value
|
|
Fair Value
|
||||||||
4.60% senior notes due 2045
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,046,760
|
|
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,089,000
|
|
3.75% senior notes due 2046
|
400,000
|
|
|
364,980
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
384,200
|
|
||||
4.20% senior notes due 2047
|
400,000
|
|
|
392,540
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
410,800
|
|
||||
British pound term loan
|
177,180
|
|
|
177,180
|
|
|
194,574
|
|
|
194,574
|
|
||||
Euro term loan
|
127,689
|
|
|
127,689
|
|
|
131,956
|
|
|
131,956
|
|
||||
Canadian dollar revolving credit facility
|
54,247
|
|
|
54,247
|
|
|
99,388
|
|
|
99,388
|
|
||||
Capital lease obligations and other
|
48,867
|
|
|
48,867
|
|
|
84,274
|
|
|
84,274
|
|
||||
Subtotal
|
2,207,983
|
|
|
2,212,263
|
|
|
2,310,192
|
|
|
2,394,192
|
|
||||
Less current maturities
|
(36,973
|
)
|
|
(36,973
|
)
|
|
(38,709
|
)
|
|
(38,709
|
)
|
||||
Debt issuance costs and discounts
|
(22,611
|
)
|
|
(22,611
|
)
|
|
(23,447
|
)
|
|
(23,447
|
)
|
||||
Long-term debt (less current maturities)
|
$
|
2,148,399
|
|
|
$
|
2,152,679
|
|
|
$
|
2,248,036
|
|
|
$
|
2,332,036
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Service cost
|
$
|
1,629
|
|
|
$
|
1,856
|
|
|
$
|
4,887
|
|
|
$
|
5,649
|
|
Other income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Interest cost
|
1,712
|
|
|
2,026
|
|
|
5,136
|
|
|
6,323
|
|
||||
Expected return on assets
|
(3,315
|
)
|
|
(2,957
|
)
|
|
(9,945
|
)
|
|
(8,670
|
)
|
||||
Amortization of unrecognized gains
|
(840
|
)
|
|
(609
|
)
|
|
(2,520
|
)
|
|
(1,919
|
)
|
||||
Amortization of prior service credits
|
(2,424
|
)
|
|
(1,893
|
)
|
|
(7,272
|
)
|
|
(5,139
|
)
|
||||
Net periodic benefit
|
$
|
(3,238
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,577
|
)
|
|
$
|
(9,714
|
)
|
|
$
|
(3,756
|
)
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Federal income tax (21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017)
|
$
|
35,914
|
|
|
$
|
87,499
|
|
|
$
|
168,288
|
|
|
$
|
254,753
|
|
States income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
|
4,817
|
|
|
5,996
|
|
|
22,572
|
|
|
17,458
|
|
||||
Clean energy credit
|
(2,897
|
)
|
|
(8,902
|
)
|
|
(13,575
|
)
|
|
(25,917
|
)
|
||||
Foreign rate difference
|
1,895
|
|
|
2,152
|
|
|
8,880
|
|
|
6,265
|
|
||||
Impairment and other charges
|
27,875
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
27,875
|
|
|
19,188
|
|
||||
Stock compensation benefit
|
(8,289
|
)
|
|
(575
|
)
|
|
(18,899
|
)
|
|
(8,314
|
)
|
||||
Other, net
|
(3,343
|
)
|
|
(6,988
|
)
|
|
2,657
|
|
|
3,806
|
|
||||
Income tax expense
|
$
|
55,972
|
|
|
$
|
79,182
|
|
|
$
|
197,798
|
|
|
$
|
267,239
|
|
Effective tax rate
|
32.7
|
%
|
|
31.7
|
%
|
|
24.7
|
%
|
|
36.7
|
%
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
|
September 30,
|
|
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. as reported
|
$
|
104,377
|
|
|
$
|
162,006
|
|
|
$
|
572,893
|
|
|
$
|
434,671
|
|
Distributed earnings available to participating securities
|
(640
|
)
|
|
(603
|
)
|
|
(1,596
|
)
|
|
(1,576
|
)
|
||||
Undistributed earnings available to participating securities
|
(243
|
)
|
|
(806
|
)
|
|
(3,108
|
)
|
|
(1,966
|
)
|
||||
Numerator for basic earnings per share – Undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders
|
103,494
|
|
|
160,597
|
|
|
568,189
|
|
|
431,129
|
|
||||
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
|
243
|
|
|
806
|
|
|
3,108
|
|
|
1,966
|
|
||||
Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities
|
(242
|
)
|
|
(803
|
)
|
|
(3,086
|
)
|
|
(1,956
|
)
|
||||
Numerator for diluted earnings per share – Undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders
|
$
|
103,495
|
|
|
$
|
160,600
|
|
|
$
|
568,211
|
|
|
$
|
431,139
|
|
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares
|
56,339,630
|
|
|
57,316,532
|
|
|
56,172,277
|
|
|
58,010,222
|
|
||||
Effect of dilutive securities
|
464,227
|
|
|
204,816
|
|
|
416,253
|
|
|
319,703
|
|
||||
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares adjusted for dilutive securities
|
56,803,857
|
|
|
57,521,348
|
|
|
56,588,530
|
|
|
58,329,925
|
|
||||
Earnings per share two-class method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Basic
|
$
|
1.84
|
|
|
$
|
2.80
|
|
|
$
|
10.12
|
|
|
$
|
7.43
|
|
Diluted
|
$
|
1.82
|
|
|
$
|
2.79
|
|
|
$
|
10.04
|
|
|
$
|
7.39
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
|
||||||||||||||
|
U.S.
|
|
Canada
|
|
Other businesses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||
Total net sales
|
$
|
2,188,324
|
|
|
$
|
149,782
|
|
|
$
|
609,317
|
|
|
$
|
2,947,423
|
|
Intersegment net sales
|
(115,007
|
)
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
(965
|
)
|
|
(115,994
|
)
|
||||
Net sales to external customers
|
$
|
2,073,317
|
|
|
$
|
149,760
|
|
|
$
|
608,352
|
|
|
$
|
2,831,429
|
|
Segment operating earnings
|
$
|
326,273
|
|
|
$
|
(4,051
|
)
|
|
$
|
(99,831
|
)
|
|
$
|
222,391
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
|
||||||||||||||
|
U.S.
|
|
Canada
|
|
Other businesses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||
Total net sales
|
$
|
2,015,968
|
|
|
$
|
188,216
|
|
|
$
|
536,927
|
|
|
$
|
2,741,111
|
|
Intersegment net sales
|
(103,667
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(1,432
|
)
|
|
(105,112
|
)
|
||||
Net sales to external customers
|
$
|
1,912,301
|
|
|
$
|
188,203
|
|
|
$
|
535,495
|
|
|
$
|
2,635,999
|
|
Segment operating earnings
|
$
|
294,603
|
|
|
$
|
(14,972
|
)
|
|
$
|
26,892
|
|
|
$
|
306,523
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
|
||||||||||||||
|
U.S.
|
|
Canada
|
|
Other businesses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||
Total net sales
|
$
|
6,471,116
|
|
|
$
|
508,414
|
|
|
$
|
1,819,562
|
|
|
$
|
8,799,092
|
|
Intersegment net sales
|
(337,912
|
)
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
(3,083
|
)
|
|
(341,050
|
)
|
||||
Net sales to external customers
|
$
|
6,133,204
|
|
|
$
|
508,359
|
|
|
$
|
1,816,479
|
|
|
$
|
8,458,042
|
|
Segment operating earnings
|
$
|
1,032,491
|
|
|
$
|
(37,875
|
)
|
|
$
|
(22,509
|
)
|
|
$
|
972,107
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
|
||||||||||||||
|
U.S.
|
|
Canada
|
|
Other businesses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||
Total net sales
|
$
|
5,968,565
|
|
|
$
|
563,470
|
|
|
$
|
1,560,894
|
|
|
$
|
8,092,929
|
|
Intersegment net sales
|
(297,247
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
(3,270
|
)
|
|
(300,532
|
)
|
||||
Net sales to external customers
|
$
|
5,671,318
|
|
|
$
|
563,455
|
|
|
$
|
1,557,624
|
|
|
$
|
7,792,397
|
|
Segment operating earnings
|
$
|
913,705
|
|
|
$
|
(59,428
|
)
|
|
$
|
44,177
|
|
|
$
|
898,454
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Operating earnings:
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Segment operating earnings
|
$
|
222,391
|
|
|
$
|
306,523
|
|
|
$
|
972,107
|
|
|
$
|
898,454
|
|
Unallocated expenses and eliminations
|
(33,269
|
)
|
|
(28,785
|
)
|
|
(104,169
|
)
|
|
(99,135
|
)
|
||||
Total consolidated operating earnings
|
$
|
189,122
|
|
|
$
|
277,738
|
|
|
$
|
867,938
|
|
|
$
|
799,319
|
|
|
U.S.
|
|
Canada
|
|
Other businesses
|
|
Total
|
||||||||
Segment assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
September 30, 2018
|
$
|
2,515,137
|
|
|
$
|
213,525
|
|
|
$
|
672,854
|
|
|
$
|
3,401,516
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
$
|
2,309,734
|
|
|
$
|
278,633
|
|
|
$
|
605,452
|
|
|
$
|
3,193,819
|
|
|
As of
|
||||||
Total assets:
|
September 30, 2018
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
||||
Assets for reportable segments
|
3,401,516
|
|
|
3,193,819
|
|
||
Other current and non-current assets
|
2,251,555
|
|
|
2,428,074
|
|
||
Unallocated assets
|
279,112
|
|
|
182,361
|
|
||
Total consolidated assets
|
$
|
5,932,183
|
|
|
$
|
5,804,254
|
|
|
U.S. 2018 Forecast
|
|
Canada 2018 Forecast
|
||
|
October
|
July
|
|
September
|
June
|
Business Investment
|
7.0%
|
7.0%
|
|
4.6%
|
5.8%
|
Business Inventory
|
1.1%
|
2.0%
|
|
—
|
—
|
Exports
|
4.0%
|
5.1%
|
|
2.8%
|
1.7%
|
Industrial Production
|
3.7%
|
3.5%
|
|
3.1%
|
2.0%
|
GDP
|
2.9%
|
3.0%
|
|
2.2%
|
2.2%
|
Oil Prices
|
—
|
—
|
|
$69/barrel
|
$66/barrel
|
Source: Global Insight U.S. (October 2018 and July 2018), Global Insight Canada (September 2018 and June 2018)
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
|
|
As a Percent of Net Sales
|
|||||||||
|
2018 (A)
|
|
2017 (A)
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
2,831
|
|
|
$
|
2,636
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost of goods sold
|
1,752
|
|
|
1,619
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
61.9
|
|
|
61.4
|
|
||
Gross profit
|
1,079
|
|
|
1,017
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
38.1
|
|
|
38.6
|
|
||
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
890
|
|
|
739
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
31.4
|
|
|
28.1
|
|
||
Operating earnings
|
189
|
|
|
278
|
|
(32
|
)%
|
|
6.7
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
||
Other expense, net
|
18
|
|
|
28
|
|
(35
|
)%
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
||
Income taxes
|
56
|
|
|
79
|
|
(29
|
)%
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
||
Net earnings
|
115
|
|
|
171
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Noncontrolling interest
|
11
|
|
|
9
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.
|
$
|
104
|
|
|
$
|
162
|
|
(36
|
)%
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
6.1
|
%
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|||||||
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
%
|
|||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses reported
|
$
|
890,113
|
|
|
$
|
739,442
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
Restructuring (U.S.)
|
3,452
|
|
|
13,251
|
|
|
|
|||
Branch gains (U.S.)
|
—
|
|
|
(5,207
|
)
|
|
|
|||
Other charges (U.S.)
|
—
|
|
|
(3,023
|
)
|
|
|
|||
Restructuring (Canada)
|
(692
|
)
|
|
4,937
|
|
|
|
|||
Restructuring (Other businesses)
|
1,115
|
|
|
(791
|
)
|
|
|
|||
Impairment charges (Other businesses)
|
138,750
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|||
Subtotal
|
142,625
|
|
|
9,167
|
|
|
|
|||
Selling, general and administrative expenses adjusted
|
$
|
747,488
|
|
|
$
|
730,275
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
%
|
|||||
Operating earnings reported
|
$
|
189,122
|
|
|
$
|
277,738
|
|
|
(32
|
)%
|
Total restructuring and impairments charges, net of branch gains and other charges
|
142,484
|
|
|
9,648
|
|
|
|
|||
Operating earnings adjusted
|
$
|
331,606
|
|
|
$
|
287,386
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
%
|
|||||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. reported
|
$
|
104,377
|
|
|
$
|
162,006
|
|
|
(36
|
)%
|
Total restructuring and impairment charges, net of branch gains and other charges
|
142,484
|
|
|
9,648
|
|
|
|
|||
Tax effect of impairment
|
(5,829
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|||
Tax effect (1)
|
(626
|
)
|
|
(3,129
|
)
|
|
|
|||
Total restructuring and impairment charges, net of branch gains and other charges and tax
|
136,029
|
|
|
6,519
|
|
|
|
|||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. adjusted
|
$
|
240,406
|
|
|
$
|
168,525
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
|
Volume
|
8
|
Price
|
1
|
Total
|
9%
|
|
Percent (Decrease)/Increase
|
Volume
|
(27)
|
Foreign exchange
|
(3)
|
Price
|
10
|
Total
|
(20)%
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
|
|
As a Percent of Net Sales
|
|||||||||
|
2018 (A)
|
|
2017 (A)
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
8,458
|
|
|
$
|
7,792
|
|
9
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost of goods sold
|
5,176
|
|
|
4,716
|
|
10
|
|
|
61.2
|
|
|
60.5
|
|
||
Gross profit
|
3,282
|
|
|
3,076
|
|
7
|
|
|
38.8
|
|
|
39.5
|
|
||
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
2,414
|
|
|
2,277
|
|
6
|
|
|
28.5
|
|
|
29.2
|
|
||
Operating earnings
|
868
|
|
|
799
|
|
9
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
||
Other expense, net
|
67
|
|
|
71
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
||
Income taxes
|
198
|
|
|
267
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
3.4
|
|
||
Net earnings
|
604
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Noncontrolling interest
|
31
|
|
|
26
|
|
18
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.
|
$
|
573
|
|
|
$
|
435
|
|
32
|
%
|
|
6.8
|
%
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|||||||
|
September 30,
|
|
|||||||
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
%
|
|||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses reported
|
$
|
2,413,997
|
|
|
$
|
2,277,009
|
|
6
|
%
|
Restructuring (U.S.)
|
13,602
|
|
|
29,857
|
|
|
|||
Branch gains (U.S.)
|
(8,913
|
)
|
|
(28,032
|
)
|
|
|||
Other charges (U.S.)
|
—
|
|
|
(3,023
|
)
|
|
|||
Restructuring (Canada)
|
22,668
|
|
|
23,935
|
|
|
|||
Restructuring (Other businesses)
|
3,579
|
|
|
40,719
|
|
|
|||
Impairment charges (Other businesses)
|
138,750
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|||
Restructuring (Unallocated expense)
|
(4,688
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|||
Subtotal
|
164,998
|
|
|
63,456
|
|
|
|||
Selling, general and administrative expenses adjusted
|
$
|
2,248,999
|
|
|
$
|
2,213,553
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
%
|
|||||
Operating earnings reported
|
$
|
867,938
|
|
|
$
|
799,319
|
|
9
|
%
|
Total restructuring and impairment charges, net of branch gains and other charges
|
165,818
|
|
|
66,511
|
|
|
|||
Operating earnings adjusted
|
$
|
1,033,756
|
|
|
$
|
865,830
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
%
|
|||||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. reported
|
$
|
572,893
|
|
|
$
|
434,671
|
|
32
|
%
|
Total restructuring and impairment charges, net of branch gains and other charges
|
165,818
|
|
|
66,511
|
|
|
|||
Tax effect of impairment
|
(5,829
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|||
Tax effect (1)
|
(5,923
|
)
|
|
65
|
|
|
|||
Total restructuring and impairment charges, net of branch gains and other charges and tax
|
154,066
|
|
|
66,576
|
|
|
|||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. adjusted
|
$
|
726,959
|
|
|
$
|
501,247
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
|
Volume
|
9
|
Divestiture
|
(1)
|
Total
|
8%
|
|
Percent (Decrease)/Increase
|
Volume
|
(20)
|
Foreign exchange
|
1
|
Price
|
9
|
Total
|
(10)%
|
Item 3.
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
Item 4.
|
Controls and Procedures
|
Item 1.
|
Legal Proceedings
|
Item 2.
|
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
Period
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased (A)
|
Average Price Paid per Share (B)
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (C)
|
Maximum Number of
Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
|
|
July 1 - July 31
|
33,029
|
$323.40
|
33,029
|
2,060,529
|
|
Aug 1 - Aug 31
|
103,188
|
$355.48
|
103,188
|
1,957,341
|
|
Sept 1 - Sept 30
|
107,529
|
$354.10
|
107,529
|
1,849,812
|
|
Total
|
243,746
|
|
243,746
|
|
(A)
|
There were no shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations.
|
(B)
|
Average price paid per share includes any commissions paid and includes only those amounts related to purchases as part of publicly announced plans or programs.
|
(C)
|
Purchases were made pursuant to a share repurchase program approved by Grainger’s Board of Directors on April 6, 2015, up to 15 million shares with no expiration date. Activity is reported on a trade date basis.
|
|
|
|
W.W. GRAINGER, INC.
|
Date:
|
November 1, 2018
|
By:
|
/s/ Thomas B. Okray
|
|
|
|
Thomas B. Okray, Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
Date:
|
November 1, 2018
|
By:
|
/s/ Eric R. Tapia
|
|
|
|
Eric R. Tapia, Vice President
and Controller
|
|
|
|
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
EXHIBIT NO.
|
|
DESCRIPTION
|
|
W.W. Grainger, Inc. 2015 Incentive Plan as Amended and Restated Effective October 31, 2018.
|
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
101.INS
|
|
XBRL Instance Document.
|
101.SCH
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
|
101.CAL
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
|
101.DEF
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
|
101.LAB
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
|
101.PRE
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
|
(i)
|
embezzlement, fraud, or theft with respect to the property of the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary or a conviction for any felony involving moral turpitude or causing material harm, financial or otherwise, to the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary;
|
(ii)
|
habitual neglect in the performance of the Participant’s significant duties (other than on account of incapacity due to physical or mental illness or Disability);
|
(iii)
|
a demonstrably deliberate act or failure to act, including a violation of the rules or policies of the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary, which causes a material financial or other loss, damage or injury to the property, reputation or employees of the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary; provided, however, that, unless such an act or failure to act was done by Participant in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Participant’s act or failure to act, as the case may be, was in the best interest of the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary or was required by applicable law, such act or failure to act shall not constitute Cause if, within twenty (20) days after the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary gives Participant written notice of such act or failure to act that specifically refers to this Section, Participant cures such act or failure to act to the fullest extent that is curable;
|
(i)
|
the consummation of:
|
(a)
|
any merger, reorganization, or consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary with or into any corporation or other Person if Persons who were the beneficial owners (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Company’s common stock and securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors (“Voting Securities”) immediately before such merger, reorganization, or consolidation are not, immediately thereafter, the beneficial owners, directly or indirectly, of at least sixty percent (60%) of the then-outstanding common shares and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding Voting Securities (“Voting Power”) of the corporation or other Person surviving or resulting from such merger, reorganization, or consolidation (or the parent corporation thereof) in substantially the same respective proportions as their beneficial ownership, immediately before the consummation of such merger, reorganization, or consolidation, of the then-outstanding common stock and Voting Power of the Company;
|
(b)
|
the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company, other than a sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its consolidated assets to an entity of which at least sixty percent (60%) of the common shares and the Voting Power outstanding immediately after such sale or other disposition are then beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same respective proportions as their beneficial ownership of common stock and Voting Power of the Company immediately before the consummation of such sale or other disposition; or
|
(ii)
|
approval by the shareholders of the Company of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
|
(iii)
|
the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Directors of the Company then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any subsequently appointed or elected Director of the Company whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Company’s Directors then in office whose appointment, election, or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended or who were Directors on the Effective Date; or
|
(iv)
|
the acquisition or holding by any person, entity, or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than by any Exempt Person, the Company, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan of the Company or a Subsidiary, of beneficial ownership (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of either the Company’s then- outstanding common stock or Voting Power; provided that:
|
(a)
|
no such person, entity, or group shall be deemed to own beneficially any securities held by the Company or a Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan (or any related trust) of the Company or a Subsidiary;
|
(b)
|
no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of any such acquisition if both (x) after giving effect to such acquisition, such person, entity, or group has beneficial ownership of less than thirty percent (30%) of the then-outstanding common stock and Voting Power of the Company and (y) prior to such acquisition, at least two-thirds of the Directors described in paragraph (iii) of this definition vote to adopt a resolution of the Board to the specific effect that such acquisition shall not be deemed a Change in Control; and
|
(c)
|
no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of any such acquisition or holding in connection with any merger, reorganization, or consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary which is not a Change in Control within the meaning of paragraph (i)(a) above.
|
(i)
|
any material reduction by the Company in the base salary, annual bonus opportunity, or long-term incentive opportunity provided to Participant, or any material reduction by the Company of the aggregate benefits (other than base salary, annual bonus opportunity, or long-term incentive opportunity) provided to Participant; or
|
(ii)
|
any requirement that Participant be based at any office or location more than fifty (50) miles from the location he/she was based at immediately prior to the Change in Control.
|
(a)
|
Share Authorization.
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4 herein, the maximum number of Shares available for grant to Participants under this Plan (the “Share Authorization”) shall be:
|
(i)
|
three million (3,000,000), plus
|
(ii)
|
Any Shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans as of the Effective Date (such Shares numbering approximately 4.3 million as of such date) that on or after the Effective Date cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and nonforfeitable Shares).
|
(b)
|
Limit on Full Value Awards.
No more than one million (1,000,000) Shares of the Share Authorization may be granted as Full Value Awards.
|
(c)
|
Nonemployee Director Limits.
Subject to the limit set forth in Section 4.1(a) on the number of Shares that may be granted in the aggregate under this Plan, the maximum number of shares that may be granted to Nonemployee Directors shall be two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) Shares, and no Nonemployee Director may receive Awards subject to more than ten thousand (10,000) Shares in any Plan Year.
|
(d)
|
Minimum Vesting of Awards.
Except with respect to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the Shares authorized in Section 4.1(a), any Awards which vest on the basis of the Participant’s continued employment with or provision of service to the Company shall not provide for vesting which is any more rapid than annual pro rata vesting over a three (3) year period and any Awards which vest upon the attainment of performance goals shall provide for a Performance Period of at least twelve (12) months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may permit acceleration of vesting of such Awards in the event of the Participant’s death, disability, retirement, or a Change in Control.
|
(e)
|
Incentive Stock Option Limit.
The maximum number of Shares of the Share Authorization that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options under this Plan shall be three million (3,000,000) Shares.
|
(a)
|
Options/SARs.
The maximum aggregate number of Shares subject to Options granted or shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights granted in any one (1) Plan Year to any one (1) Participant shall be six hundred thousand (600,000).
|
(b)
|
Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.
The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units in any one (1) Plan Year to any one (1) Participant shall be two hundred thousand (200,000).
|
(c)
|
Performance Shares or Performance Units.
The maximum aggregate Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units that a Participant may receive in any one (1) Plan Year shall be two hundred thousand (200,000) Shares, or equal to the value of two hundred thousand (200,000) Shares determined as of the date of vesting or payout, as applicable.
|
(d)
|
Cash-Based Awards.
The maximum aggregate amount awarded or credited with respect to Cash- Based Awards to any one (1) Participant in any one (1) Plan Year may not exceed six million dollars ($6,000,000),
|
(e)
|
Covered Employee Annual Incentive Award.
The maximum aggregate amount awarded or credited in any one (1) Plan Year with respect to a Covered Employee Annual Incentive Award shall be determined in accordance with Article 12.
|
(f)
|
Other Stock-Based Awards.
The maximum aggregate grant with respect to other Stock-Based Awards pursuant to Section 10.2 in any one (1) Plan Year to any one (1) Participant shall be two hundred thousand (200,000).
|
(a)
|
Incentive Stock Options.
No ISO granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all ISOs granted to a Participant under this Article 6 shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant.
|
(b)
|
Nonqualified Stock Options.
Under no circumstances may a Participant transfer an NQSO to another Person for consideration. Subject to the foregoing, and except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee, no NQSO granted under this Article 6 may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided that the Board or Committee may permit further transferability, on a general or a specific basis, and may impose conditions and limitations on any permitted transferability. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee, or unless the Board or Committee decides to permit further transferability, all NQSOs granted to a Participant under this Article 6 shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant. With respect to those NQSOs, if any, that are permitted to be transferred to another individual, references in this Plan to exercise or payment of the Option Price by the Participant shall be deemed to include, as determined by the Committee, the Participant’s permitted transferee.
|
(a)
|
The excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price; by
|
(b)
|
The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
|
(a)
|
Net sales or revenue growth;
|
(b)
|
Return measures (including, but not limited to return on invested capital, assets, capital, equity, sales);
|
(c)
|
Gross profit margin;
|
(d)
|
Operating expense ratios;
|
(e)
|
Operating expense targets;
|
(f)
|
Productivity ratios;
|
(g)
|
Operating income;
|
(h)
|
Gross or operating margins;
|
(i)
|
Earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization;
|
(j)
|
Net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);
|
(k)
|
Earnings per share;
|
(l)
|
Cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment);
|
(m)
|
Working capital targets;
|
(n)
|
Capital expenditures;
|
(o)
|
Share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return);
|
(p)
|
Appreciation in the fair market value or book value of a share;
|
(q)
|
Economic value added (net operating profit after tax minus the sum of capital multiplied by the cost of the capital);
|
(r)
|
Total stockholder return;
|
(s)
|
Debt to equity ratio/debt levels;
|
(t)
|
Customer satisfaction/service (relative improvement);
|
(u)
|
Market share;
|
(v)
|
Employee satisfaction/engagement;
|
(w)
|
Employee retention/attrition;
|
(x)
|
Safety;
|
(y)
|
Diversity; and
|
(z)
|
Inventory control/efficiency.
|
(i)
|
if substituted for an Award based on the value of a share, be based on shares of common stock that are traded on an established U.S. securities market;
|
(ii)
|
provide the Participant (or each Participant in a class of Participants) with rights and entitlements substantially equivalent to or better than the rights, terms, and conditions applicable under such Award, including, but not limited to, an identical or better exercise or vesting schedule and identical or better timing and methods of payment;
|
(iii)
|
if granted in relation to a Performance Share, Performance Unit, or other performance-based award outstanding under this Plan, be: (a) based on achieving the target performance level for such Award, and (b) a time-based vesting restricted stock or restricted stock unit having a vesting period substantially equivalent to the applicable remaining Performance Period for such Award;
|
(iv)
|
have substantially equivalent economic value to such Award (determined at the time of the Change in Control); and
|
(v)
|
have terms and conditions which provide that in the event that the Participant suffers an Involuntary Termination of Employment/Service or terminates for Good Reason during the Change in Control Protection Period any conditions on the Participant’s rights under, or any restrictions on transfer or exercisability applicable to, each such Award held by such Participant shall be waived or shall lapse, as the case may be.
|
(a)
|
In General.
Unless the Committee otherwise determines in the manner set forth in Section 18.1, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, (i) all Options and SARs shall become exercisable, (ii) the Period of Restriction on all Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Other Stock-Based Awards shall lapse immediately prior to such Change in Control, (iii) Shares underlying Awards of Restricted Stock Units, and Other Stock-Based Awards shall be issued to each Participant then holding such Award immediately prior to such Change in Control or, (iv) at the discretion of the Committee (as constituted immediately prior to the Change in Control) each such Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Unit, and/or Other Stock-Based Award shall be cancelled in exchange for an amount equal to the product of (A)(i) in the case of Options and SARs, the excess, if any, of the product of the Change in Control Price over the Option Price or Grant Price for such Award, and (ii) in the case of other such Awards, the Change in Control Price, multiplied by (B) the aggregate number of Shares covered by such Award,
less
any amount per Award to be paid by the Participant or by which the amount ultimately to be paid to the Participant is reduced. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, but need not, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine that the value for Options and SARs for purposes of the prior subsection (iv) may be determined using a stock pricing model, such as the Black-Scholes-Merton model, instead of as the difference between the Change in Control Price and the Option Price or Grant Price.
|
(b)
|
Performance Shares and Performance Units.
Unless the Committee otherwise determines at the time of grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units, in the event of a Change in Control, (A) any Performance Period in progress at the time of the Change in Control for which Performance Shares, or Performance Units are outstanding shall end effective upon the occurrence of such Change in Control and (B) all Participants granted such Awards shall be deemed to have the target award opportunity with respect to such Award for the Performance Period in question. Any Performance Shares and Performance Units for which the applicable performance objectives have not been deemed achieved shall be forfeited and cancelled as of the date of such Change in Control.
|
(c)
|
Timing of Payments.
Payment of any amounts calculated in accordance with Sections 18.2(a) and (b) shall be made in cash or, if determined by the Committee (as constituted immediately prior to the Change in Control), in shares of the common stock of the New Employer having an aggregate fair market value equal to such amount and shall be payable in full, as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 30 days, following the Change in Control. For purposes hereof, the fair market value of one (1) share of common stock of the New Employer shall be determined by the Committee (as constituted immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction constituting the Change in Control), in good faith.
|
(a)
|
The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment for cause, termination of the Participant’s provision of services to the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary, violation of material Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries.
|
(b)
|
If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, if the Participant knowingly or grossly negligently engaged in the misconduct, or knowingly or grossly negligently failed to prevent the misconduct, or if the Participant is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Participant shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve- (12-) month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever just occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement.
|
(c)
|
Awards granted under this Plan shall also be subject to the Company’s clawback policy as in effect from time to time.
|
(a)
|
Obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and
|
(b)
|
Completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable.
|
(a)
|
Determine which Affiliates and/or Subsidiaries shall be covered by this Plan;
|
(b)
|
Determine which Employees and/or Directors outside the United States are eligible to participate in this Plan;
|
(c)
|
Modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Employees and/or Directors outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws;
|
(d)
|
Establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable. Any subplans and modifications to Plan terms and procedures established under this Section 22.9 by the Committee shall be attached to this Plan document as appendices; and
|
(e)
|
Take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals.
|
(a)
|
In General
. The Plan is intended to be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements, where applicable, of Section 409A of the Code (“Code Section 409A”). Where reasonably possible and practicable, the Plan shall be administered in a manner to avoid the imposition on Participants of immediate tax recognition and additional taxes pursuant to Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any liability to any person in the event Code Section 409A applies to any such Award in a manner that results in adverse tax consequences for the Participant or any of his beneficiaries or transferees.
|
(b)
|
Elective Deferrals
. No elective deferrals or re-deferrals of compensation (as defined under Code Section 409A and/or guidance thereto) other than in regard to Restricted Stock Units are permitted under this Plan.
|
(c)
|
Applicable Requirements
. To the extent any of the Awards granted under this Plan are deemed “deferred compensation” and hence subject to Code Section 409A, the following rules shall apply to such Awards:
|
(i)
|
Mandatory Deferrals
. If the Company decides that the payment of compensation under this Plan shall be deferred within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then, except as provided pursuant to Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(b)(4)(ii), at grant of the Award to which such compensation payment relates, the Company shall specify the date(s) at which such compensation will be paid in the Award Agreement.
|
(ii)
|
Initial Deferral Elections
. For Awards of Restricted Stock Units where the Participant is given the opportunity to elect the timing and form of the payment of the underlying Shares at some future time once any requirements have been satisfied, the Participant must make his or her initial deferral election for such Award in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, i.e., within thirty (30) days of first becoming eligible to receive such award or prior to the start of the year in which the Award is granted to the Participant, in each case pursuant to the requirements of Code Section 409A and Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2.
|
(iii)
|
Subsequent Deferral Elections
. To the extent the Company or Committee decides to permit compensation subject to Code Section 409A to be re-deferred pursuant to Treas. Reg. 1.409A-2(b), then the following conditions must be met: (1) such election will not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which it is made; (2) in the case of an election not related to a payment on account of disability, death,
|
(iv)
|
Timing of Payments
. Payment(s) of compensation that is subject to Code Section 409A shall only be made upon an event or at a time set forth in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-3, i.e., the Participant’s separation from service, the Participant’s becoming disabled, the Participant’s death, at a time or a fixed schedule specified in the Plan or an Award Agreement or other applicable document, a change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation, or the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency.
|
(v)
|
Certain Delayed Payments
. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent an amount was intended to be paid such that it would have qualified as a short-term deferral under Code Section 409A and the applicable regulations, then such payment is or could be delayed if the requirements of Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(b)(4)(ii) are met.
|
(vi)
|
Acceleration of Payment
. Any payment made under this Plan to which Code Section 409A applies may not be accelerated, except in accordance with Treas. Reg. 1.409A-3(j)(4), i.e., upon a Participant’s separation from service, if the Participant becomes disabled, upon the Participant’s death, upon a change of ownership or effective control, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets, or upon an unforeseeable emergency (all as detailed in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-3(a)).
|
(vii)
|
Payments upon a Change in Control
. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, to the extent an Award subject to Code Section 409A shall be deemed to be vested or restrictions lapse, expire or terminate upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and such Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control” or a “change in the ownership or a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v), then even though such Award may be deemed to be vested or restrictions lapse, expire or terminate upon the occurrence of the Change in Control or any other provision of this Plan, payment will be made, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A, to the Participant on the earliest of: (i) the Participant’s “separation from service” with the Company (determined in accordance with Code Section 409A), (ii) the date payment otherwise would have been made pursuant to the regular payment terms of the Award in the absence of any provisions in this Plan to the contrary (provided such date is permissible under Code Section 409A), or (iii) the Participant’s death.
|
(viii)
|
Payments to Specified Employees
. Payments due to a Participant who is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A on account of the Participant’s “separation from service” with the Company (determined in accordance with Code Section 409A) shall be made on the date that is six months after the date of Participant’s separation from service or, if earlier, the Participant’s date of death.
|
(d)
|
Deferrals to Preserve Deductibility under Code Section 162(m)
. The Committee may postpone the exercising of Awards, the issuance or delivery of Shares under any Award or any action permitted under the Plan to prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from being denied a Federal income tax deduction with respect to any Award other than an ISO as a result of Code Section 162(m), in accordance with Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(b)(4)(ii). In such
|
(e)
|
Determining “Controlled Group.”
In order to determine for purposes of Code Section 409A whether a Participant or eligible individual is employed by a member of the Company’s controlled group of corporations under Code Section 414(b) (or by a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control with the Company under Code Section 414(c)) and, therefore, whether the Shares that are or have been purchased by or awarded under this Plan to the Participant are shares of “service recipient” stock within the meaning of Code Section 409A:
|
(i)
|
In applying Code Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) for purposes of determining the Company’s controlled group under Code Section 414(b), the language “at least 50 percent” is to be used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in Code Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3);
|
(ii)
|
In applying Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining trades or businesses under common control with the Corporation for purposes of Code Section 414(c), the language “at least 50 percent” is to be used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2; and
|
(iii)
|
Notwithstanding the above, to the extent that the Company finds that legitimate business criteria exist within the meaning of Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E)(1), then the language “at least 50 percent” in clauses (i) and (ii) immediately above shall instead be “at least 20 percent.”
|
1.
|
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of W.W. Grainger, Inc.;
|
2.
|
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
|
3.
|
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
|
4.
|
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
|
a)
|
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
|
b)
|
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
|
c)
|
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
|
d)
|
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
|
5.
|
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
|
a)
|
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
|
b)
|
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
|
By:
|
/
s/ D.G. Macpherson
|
Name:
|
D.G. Macpherson
|
Title:
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
1.
|
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of W.W. Grainger, Inc.;
|
2.
|
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
|
3.
|
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
|
4.
|
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
|
a)
|
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
|
b)
|
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
|
c)
|
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
|
d)
|
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
|
5.
|
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
|
a)
|
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
|
b)
|
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
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By:
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/
s/ Thomas B. Okray
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Name:
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Thomas B. Okray
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Title:
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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1.
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The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
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2.
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The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Grainger.
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/s/ D.G. Macpherson
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D.G. Macpherson
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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November 1, 2018
|
|
|
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/s/ Thomas B. Okray
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Thomas B. Okray
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
November 1, 2018
|