March 8, 2012 – Early this morning, Grainger announced that Sean O’Brien, president of Acklands-Grainger Inc. (Grainger’s wholly owned Canadian subsidiary), will resign from the company effective March 23, 2012. O’Brien joined Acklands-Grainger as vice-president sales in November 2007, taking on additional responsibilities for e-business and marketing in early 2009. He was named president in September 2009.

Mike Pulick, president of Grainger International, will serve as interim president of Acklands-Grainger. Pulick has held leadership positions with Grainger for more than 12 years, including leading Grainger’s U.S. business from 2008-2011. He assumed leadership of Grainger’s international businesses on January 1, 2012.

“We respect Sean’s decision to pursue opportunities outside the company and wish him well in his future endeavours,” said Pulick.

Acklands-Grainger Inc. is a Canadian distributor of industrial, safety and fastener products with 2011 sales of $982 million, 172 branches, 6 distribution centres and 2600 team members.