W.W. Grainger Overview
W. W. Grainger, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 industrial supply company founded in 1927 in Chicago by William W. (Bill) Grainger to provide consumers with access to a consistent supply of motors. The company serves over three million customers worldwide with offerings such as motors, lighting, material handling, fasteners, plumbing, tools, and safety supplies.
Account Setup and Sales Focus
To buy from Grainger, you need to set up an account which can be a credit card or cash account even as an individual. Grainger serves primarily business-to-business sales rather than retail sales.
Largest Shareholders and Interesting Facts
David Grainger is the largest individual shareholder of W.W. Grainger, owning about 10% of outstanding shares. The Vanguard Group is the largest institutional shareholder with an 11% stake. In February 2013, there was speculation that Warren Buffett could potentially acquire Grainger, and the company settled with the government for $6 million regarding accusations of overbilling supply contracts.