UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Date of Report: December 6, 1999
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W.W. GRAINGER, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
ILLINOIS 1-5684 36-1150280
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or Identification No.)
organization)
100 Grainger Parkway
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-5201
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 535-1000
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Item 5. Other Events.
On December 6, 1999, the Company announced the decision of J.D. Fluno to retire
as Vice Chairman of the Company, effective July 1, 2000, after 31 years of
service.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit Index:
(c) Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K) Page
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99. Copy of news release issued by the Company on
December 6, 1999. 3-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC.
By: /s/ J. M. Baisley
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J. M. Baisley, Senior Vice President,
General Counsel, and Secretary
Date: December 6, 1999
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Exhibit 99
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
100 Grainger Parkway
Lake Forest, IL 60045-5201
Tel: 847.535.1000
www.grainger.com
GRAINGER (R) NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Nancy A. Hobor FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(847) 535-0065
W.W. Grainger, Inc. Vice Chairman, Jere D. Fluno, to Retire
CHICAGO (December 6, 1999)--W.W. Grainger, Inc. announced the decision of Jere
D. Fluno to retire as the Company's Vice Chairman, effective July 1, 2000.
As Vice Chairman, Mr. Fluno is presently responsible for all of the
administrative, financial, human resources, legal, and real estate functions of
the Company. He is a member of the Office of the Chairman, the Company's senior
executive group, and has served on its Board of Directors since 1975. Mr. Fluno
will continue to serve as a Director of the Company.
Grainger Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Keyser said, "Jere has
played an important leadership role and has made significant contributions to
Grainger. He has also been, and will continue to be, an important contributor to
his community and to higher education, especially his alma mater, the University
of Wisconsin."
Mr. Fluno's decision to retire follows 31 years of service with the Company.
Since joining Grainger in 1969 as Controller, Mr. Fluno has held the positions
of Vice President, Finance; Senior Vice President; and Chief Financial Officer.
He was elected to his present position of Vice Chairman in 1984 and became a
member of the Office of the Chairman in 1985.
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W.W. Grainger, Inc. Vice Chairman, Jere D. Fluno, to Retire / page 2
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW), with 1998 sales of $4.3 billion, is the leading North
American provider of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies,
services, and related information to businesses and institutions. GWW shares are
traded on the New York and Chicago stock exchanges. For more information, visit
Grainger online at www.grainger.com.
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