CHICAGO, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger today announced the election of
two new officers: Y.C. Chen, vice president, International Internet Commerce;
and Patrick H. Davidson, vice president, Information Services. Grainger is
the leading North American provider of maintenance, repair, and operating
(MRO) supplies and related information to businesses and institutions.
Mr. Chen will report to Don Bielinski, group president. In this newly
created position, Mr. Chen will lead the development of Grainger's Internet
initiatives outside of North America.
Mr. Chen brings substantial experience in international business
development. Most recently as vice president, Asia Pacific, Grainger
International, Inc., Mr. Chen was responsible for developing and implementing
the Asian sourcing strategy of the Grainger distribution business. He led the
successful start-up of Grainger Global Sourcing, a division of Grainger
International, Inc.
Prior to joining Grainger, Mr. Chen served as senior vice president, Asia
Pacific, for Stream International Inc. (a merger of R.R. Donnelley's Global
Software Services and Corporate Software Inc.). He received his undergraduate
and master's degree in chemical engineering and earned a doctor of business
administration from Indiana University in Bloomington.
Mr. Davidson will report to Wes Clark, group president. In this position
Mr. Davidson will be responsible for managing the computer hardware, software
and overall network capabilities for Grainger Industrial Supply and Grainger's
corporate headquarters in Lake Forest, Ill.
Mr. Davidson brings 14 years of experience with Grainger ranging in scope
from branch operations, sales management, quality, and employee development.
Most recently, Mr. Davidson was director of the company's Year 2000 Project.
He received his undergraduate degree in geology from Lamar University and is
pursuing his master's in management at Northwestern University Kellogg
Graduate School of Management.
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 .
SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.
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CONTACT:
Christine Swiderski of W.W. Grainger, Inc.,
847-535-4094, or swiderski.c@grainger.com
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