<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000277135-17-000023.txt : 20170725
<SEC-HEADER>0000277135-17-000023.hdr.sgml : 20170725
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170725161029
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000277135-17-000023
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20170725
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20170725
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20170725

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GRAINGER W W INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000277135
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-DURABLE GOODS [5000]
		IRS NUMBER:				361150280
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05684
		FILM NUMBER:		17980528

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 GRAINGER PARKWAY
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045-5201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		847-535-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 GRAINGER PARKWAY
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>gww063020178kbodelection.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
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<div><a name="s19AF6A19B82F5F509BEF1AF40FCF70DE"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 8-K</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of Report </font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Date of earliest event reported):</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">July 25, 2017</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:24pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:24pt;font-weight:bold;">W.W. Grainger, Inc.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:639px;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:213px;"></td><td style="width:213px;"></td><td style="width:213px;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Illinois</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">1-5684</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">36-1150280</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Commission File Number)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">100 Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, Illinois &#160;60045</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(847) 535-1000</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Not applicable</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">[ ]&#160;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">[ ]&#160;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">[ ]&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">[ ]&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">Emerging growth company</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">&#32;[ ]</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ] </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-indent:448px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div><br></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><a name="s8C2046F69BDC57B3A50DCDD49927CB1A"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 5.02.   Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">On July 25, 2017, the Board of Directors (the &#8220;Board&#8221;) of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) appointed Beatriz&#160;R. Perez as a director, effective immediately.  The Board also appointed Ms. Perez to its Board Affairs and Nominating Committee, and Compensation Committee.  With the appointment of Ms. Perez, the size of the Board was increased to 11 directors.  A copy of the Company&#8217;s press release announcing Ms. Perez&#8217;s appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The appointment of Ms. Perez was not pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between her and any other person. There have been no transactions since the beginning of the Company&#8217;s last fiscal year, and there are no currently proposed transactions, in which the Company was or is to be a participant and in which Ms. Perez or any member of her immediate family had or will have any interest, that are required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Ms. Perez will be compensated in accordance with the Company&#8217;s compensation program for non-employee directors. The program currently provides that directors are eligible to receive an annual deferred stock unit grant equal to $145,000, divided by the 200-day average closing price of the Company&#8217;s shares of common stock through January 31, 2017, rounded up to the next ten-share increment, and an $85,000 annual cash retainer (some or all of which may be deferred in a deferred stock unit account).  Ms. Perez&#8217;s compensation will be pro-rated to reflect that her appointment to the Board occurred approximately 3 months after the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Ms. Perez will also be entitled to be indemnified by the Company in accordance with its standard form of indemnification agreement for its directors and officers, which provides that the Company will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law in connection with any proceedings relating to being or having been a director or officer of the Company and advance any expenses incurred in connection with any such proceedings. The form of indemnification agreement was filed as Exhibit 10(b)(i) to the Company&#8217;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2009.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01.&#160;&#160; Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(d)  Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:634px;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:117px;"></td><td style="width:517px;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Document Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">99.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Press release dated July 25,&#160;2017</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><a name="sF5A501B32AC2543FA17B5ABD37F28DE2"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Dated: July 25, 2017</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:683px;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:368px;"></td><td style="width:40px;"></td><td style="width:274px;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">W.W. GRAINGER, INC.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">&#160;By:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Hugo Dubovoy Jr.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Hugo Dubovoy, Jr.</font></div><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Vice President,</font></div><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Corporate Secretary</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><a name="s10AB49966D59530AAE96BCFE373AC181"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">EXHIBIT INDEX</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:97.0703125%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:14%;"></td><td style="width:2%;"></td><td style="width:84%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">EXHIBIT NO.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">99.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Press release dated July 25, 2017</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>gww063020178kbodelectionex.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
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<div><a name="s53337F16158F5DFD98036549FC6DAACD"></a></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:100%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:2px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:5px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:150%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">W.W. Grainger, Inc., Names Beatriz R. Perez to its Board of Directors</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">CHICAGO, July 25, 2017</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">&#32;- Grainger (NYSE: GWW), the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products serving businesses and institutions, today announced it has appointed Beatriz &#8220;Bea&#8221; R. Perez, Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), to its Board of Directors.  She will serve on the Board Affairs and Nominating Committee, and the Compensation Committee of Grainger&#8217;s Board.  </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">Named to her current position in March 2017, Perez leads a newly integrated team across public affairs and communications, sustainability and global partnerships to support The Coca-Cola Company&#8217;s growth model.  In this role, she oversees global public policy and sustainability, external and internal communications and global community affairs, including  The Coca-Cola Foundation, the company&#8217;s philanthropic arm.  Perez also has responsibility for the Company&#8217;s sports and entertainment assets, and the strategic and operational efforts for its Retail, Licensing and Attractions portfolios.  </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">As The Coca-Cola Company&#8217;s first Chief Sustainability Officer, Perez develops and leads programs on global sustainability with a focus on water stewardship and women&#8217;s economic empowerment.  Under her leadership, the company has advanced a global sustainability strategy designed to help grow the business, while making a lasting positive difference for consumers, communities and the environment.  </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">Prior to being named Chief Sustainability Officer in 2011, Perez held various roles of increasing responsibility at The Coca-Cola Company in the North America Operating Division, including Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Vice President Integrated Marketing, and multiple field operating roles.  As Chief Marketing Officer, she led all aspects of marketing strategy and execution for the North America business encompassing brands, consumers and information technology. </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">&#8220;Bea is a well-respected and highly regarded executive and we are excited to have her join the Grainger Board,&#8221; said Jim Ryan, Chairman of the Board for Grainger.  &#8220;Her strategic marketing perspective on growing an iconic brand in a changing business and environmental landscape </font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">1</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><br></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">will be an asset, as Grainger continues to evolve in creating unique value and making it easier for different customers to do business with the Company.&#8221; </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">In addition to Grainger&#8217;s Board, Perez currently serves on the Board of Directors of Primerica, Inc., where she is also a member of the compensation committee.  She also is the chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation and serves on several community boards.  </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">In 2014, Hispanic Executive magazine included Perez on its list of Top 10 Leaders, and she was named as one of the &#8220;10 Most Powerful Women in Sustainability&#8221; by Green Building &amp; Design magazine.  She has been featured as one of the 25 Most Powerful Latinas on CNN En Espa&#241;ol and in People en Espa&#241;ol.</font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">Perez is joining the Grainger Board, effective immediately.  </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">About Grainger</font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2016 sales of $10.1 billion, is North America&#8217;s leading broad line supplier of </font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;color:#0000ff;text-decoration:underline;">maintenance, repair and operating products</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;color:#0000ff;">&#32;(MRO)</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">, with operations also in Europe, Asia and Latin America. </font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;">Contacts:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table 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style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Joseph Micucci</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td 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