Acklands-Grainger Inc. Acquires Industrial Products Business in Nova Scotia
and New Brunswick, Canada

    



    
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<p><span class="xn-location">TORONTO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 6, 2010</span> /CNW/ -- Acklands-Grainger Inc., Canada's largest distributor of industrial, safety and fastener supplies, today announced it has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the Nova Scotia and <span class="xn-location">New Brunswick</span> business of Wolseley Industrial Products (Amalgamated) Inc., a distributor of industrial, construction, MRO and safety products.  Acklands-Grainger expects an incremental sales contribution of approximately <span class="xn-money">$14 million</span> from this acquisition over the next 12 months. The deal was effective <span class="xn-chron">December 6, 2010</span> and terms were not disclosed.</p>
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<p>"This acquisition will improve our service to customers and will help us enhance our position as our customers' valued partner in helping to keep their facilities safe, efficient and functional," said Sean O'Brien, President of Acklands-Grainger.  "Acklands-Grainger continues to make strategic investments to meet the needs of local customers and we are excited to add talented new members to our team in Atlantic <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>."</p>
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<p>Acklands-Grainger has served Atlantic <span class="xn-location">Canada</span> for more than 45 years through eight locations in the region and has made significant investments across the region to meet the evolving needs of local customers. The company acquired K&D Pratt Industrial in 2009 and opened a new distribution centre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia earlier this year.  For more information about Acklands-Grainger, please visit <a href="http://www.acklandsgrainger.com">www.acklandsgrainger.com</a>.</p>
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<p>The business at the acquired locations in Moncton, NB; Fredericton, NB; Saint John, NB; and <span class="xn-location">Halifax</span>, NS will continue to operate at its respective locations for the immediate future.  Acklands-Grainger will transition the business from the newly acquired Sydney, NS location to its existing Sydney location in the next two months.</p>
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    About Acklands-Grainger Inc.

    
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<p>Founded in 1889, Acklands-Grainger is Canada's largest distributor of industrial, safety, and fastener products, with over 100,000 in-stock products available from 170 branches and six distribution centres from coast to coast to coast.</p>
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<p>Its parent company, W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2009 sales of <span class="xn-money">$6.2 billion</span>, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products with an expanding presence in Asia and Latin America. For more information about the company, please visit <a href="http://www.grainger.com/investor">www.grainger.com/investor</a>.</p>
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    Forward-Looking Statements
    
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<p>This document contains forward-looking statements under the federal securities law.  The forward-looking statements relate to the company's expected future financial results and business plans, strategies and objectives are not historical facts.  They are generally identified by qualifiers such as "approximately", "continue", "continues", "expects", and "will" or similar expressions. There are risks and uncertainties the outcome of which could cause the company's results to differ materially from what is projected.  The forward-looking statements 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 & Exchange Commission, containing a discussion of the company's business and various factors that may affect it.</p>
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For further information: Media, Sara Granack, Director, International Communications, [phone], or Investors, William Chapman, Director, Investor Relations, [phone] Web Site: https://www.acklandsgrainger.com