CHICAGO - Grainger continues its market expansion march across the United States with its recent announcement to add, relocate, expand or remodel locations in the metro markets of Chicago and San Francisco. Launched in 2003, Grainger’s market expansion program is designed to make it easier and faster for customers to purchase facilities maintenance products.

The company has already upgraded facilities in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Seattle, Southern California, St. Louis, and Tampa, and is now enhancing its presence in other markets, including Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In 2007, Grainger expects capital investments of as much as $80 million in its market expansion activities.

In Chicago, Grainger currently operates 18 branch locations and will realize a nearly 20 percent increase in square footage in the market as a result of the expansion. In total, the company plans to add four new locations, relocate three facilities, and expand or enhance 12 of its existing locations.

The San Francisco Bay Area market is home to 13 branches. When completed, market expansion activities across the Bay - San Francisco Peninsula, North Bay, East Bay, and San Jose - will increase total square footage by 25 percent as Grainger adds one new location, relocates six facilities, and expands or enhances six others. Both markets will also see an increase in Grainger customer service associates.

In addition to expanding its operations, the company recently expanded its product offering as well to position more of the products businesses need to maintain their facilities closer to them.

“Our customers asked for more convenient locations and more products closer to them, and we listened,” said Eric Nowlin, regional branch services vice president, Grainger. “For business customers like facility managers and contractors, time is money, and it’s our job to help them get the products they need, when and where they need them, so they can get their jobs done.”

For more information, go to www.grainger.com.

Publication date: 09/24/2007