Material Logic(TM) Provides E-procurement Solutions to Companies with Complex
Purchasing Requirements, Allowing Them to Realize Significant Benefits in The
MRO Arena
CHICAGO, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW) announced today that
it has consolidated three of its digital businesses into a separate
organization, Material Logic. The new unit is seeking participation from MRO
distributors to create an industry-backed, industry-funded independent entity
that will own and operate those businesses.
Grainger Chairman and CEO Richard L. Keyser, said "Material Logic includes
the digital businesses of FindMRO.com, TotalMRO.com, and MROverstocks.com, as
well as the Consulting, Implementation, and Content Services units. Donald E.
Bielinski, currently Grainger Group President, will lead the new unit."
Keyser added, "It is important to note that Grainger.com, a direct channel
into Grainger Industrial Supply, our core business, is not included in the new
organization."
The new organization will work with large national MRO distributors to
create a broad digital solution providing customers access to substantial cost
benefits through eCommerce platforms, eMarketplaces, and hosted ASP solutions.
Bielinski said, "We believe that as the distribution industry joins together,
the result will be a win-win situation for participating distributors and
customers."
Material Logic includes:
-- TotalMRO.com, which provides customers with access to a single,
networked catalog containing easily searchable, detailed product
information, pre-negotiated prices, and availability information for
MRO products and services from major MRO distributors.
-- FindMRO.com, which gives customers an easy and fast way to source hard-
to-find and/or infrequently purchased MRO products.
-- MROverstocks.com, which offers online inventory liquidation services
through real-time bidding on discontinued and surplus industrial
products.
-- Consulting, Implementation, and Content Services which work with
suppliers and customers to achieve the full benefits of e-procurement
systems.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 1999 sales of $4.5 billion, is the
leading North American provider of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO)
supplies and related information to businesses and institutions. Grainger
shares are traded on the New York and Chicago stock exchanges. For more
information, visit Grainger online at http://www.grainger.com .
This document may contain statements that are forward-looking, i.e. not
historical facts. The forward-looking statements (generally identified by
words or phrases indicating a projection or future expectation such as
"seeking participation to create," "access to," "believe .. results will be,")
are based on the Company's current expectations and some of them are subject
to risks and uncertainties the outcome of which could result in actual future
performance being materially different from the performance indicated. They
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.
SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.Grainger.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/953850.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 953850
CONTACT:
William D. Chapman, Director, Investor
Relations, 847-535-0881, or Janis K. Tratnik, Director, Corporate
Communications, 847-535-4339, both of W.W. Grainger, Inc.
|
