CHICAGO, May 24, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Grainger President James T. Ryan today addressed a group of over 115 analysts attending the annual meeting of the Electrical Products Group of New York. A copy of his presentation can be found along with a link to the webcast of his remarks on the Investor Relations section of Grainger's Web site, http://www.grainger.com .

Ryan described the trends in the facilities maintenance industry as businesses and institutions try to reduce the cost of procuring the tools, safety equipment, lighting and other products they use to keep their facilities running by reducing the number of different suppliers. He explained how Grainger's unique approach and scale advantages position it to capture market share in the fragmented, $140 billion North American market.

Ryan highlighted how Grainger's market and product line expansion programs are expected to contribute to the company's sales growth and additional ways the company plans to improve operating earnings. The market expansion program reinforces Grainger's presence in the top 25 metropolitan markets by improving the company's customer coverage, product availability and service.

Grainger recently launched one of the largest product line expansions in its 79-year history. With 39,000 new products, Grainger's 2006 catalog features a total of 115,000 products, compared to 82,400 last year. The company expects product line expansion to contribute about 1 percentage point to the company's forecasted sales growth for 2006 of 8 to 11 percent. Ryan went on to say that the preliminary forecast for May sales suggest daily revenue growth of 9 to 10 percent versus May 2005.

Ryan reiterated the company's 2006 earnings per share guidance of $4.00 to $4.15 saying, "Grainger has scale -- millions of customers, a broad product line, an efficient and effective supply chain, and integrated information systems -- to gain share and deliver increased shareholder value."

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2005 sales of $5.5 billion, is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions throughout North America. Through a highly integrated network including nearly 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger's employees help customers get the job done, saving them time and money by having the right products to keep their facilities running.

This document contains forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements relate to the company's expected future financial results and business plans, strategies, and objectives and are not historical facts. They are generally identified by qualifiers such as "earnings per share guidance," "expected," "expects," "forecast," "forecasted," "plans," "position it to capture," "preliminary," "suggest," or similar expressions. There are risks and uncertainties the outcome of which could cause the company's results to differ materially from what is projected. The forward- looking statements should be read in conjunction with the company's most recent annual report, as well as the company's Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, containing a discussion of the company's business and of various factors that may affect it.

William D. Chapman
Director, Investor Relations
+1-847-535-0881
william.chapman@grainger.com

Robb M. Kristopher
Manager, External Communications
+1-847-535-0879
robb.kristopher@grainger.com