CHICAGO – Fortune Magazine has named Grainger the “most admired” company among diversified wholesalers in the magazine’s annual listing of the World’s Most Admired Companies. The recognition appears in the March 22, 2010 issue. Grainger is the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products serving businesses and institutions.

"This honor belongs to our outstanding employees,” said Grainger Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, James T. Ryan. “It is their passion for serving professionals who keep workplaces safe, efficient and functioning that sets us apart in the marketplace.”

Fortune characterizes its World’s Most Admired companies list as the “definitive report card on corporate reputations” ranking companies on nine criteria including innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products and services, and global competitiveness.  Grainger has been a perennial member of Fortune’s Most Admired companies and this year ranked #1 in eight of the nine categories.

“Superior people, products, service and an unwavering commitment to communities differentiates Grainger,” added Ryan.  “For more than 83 years the company has worked to earn the respect and admiration of its customers, suppliers, business partners, investors and the community.”