Grainger - M&A Summary and Business Overview

DistributionCompany

Grainger M&A Summary

Grainger has acquired 13 companies. A total of 2 acquisitions came from private equity firms. It has also divested 5 assets.

Grainger’s largest acquisition to date was in 2015, when it acquired Cromwell Group for $477M. Grainger has acquired in 6 different US states, and 6 countries. The Company’s most targeted sectors include distribution (85%) and safety/security (8%).

Grainger Business Overview

Where is Grainger headquartered?

Grainger is headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois.

What is Grainger’s revenue?

Grainger disclosed revenue of 16,478M USD for 2023 and 15,228M USD for 2022.

How many employees does Grainger have?

Grainger has 21,800 employees.

What sector is Grainger in?

Grainger is a distribution company.

When was Grainger founded?

Grainger was founded in 1927.

M&A Summary

  • M&A Total Activity18
    • M&A Buy Activity13
    • M&A Sell Activity5
  • Total Sectors Invested 3
  • Total Countries Invested 6
  • M&A Buy/Sell Connections 8

Grainger

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

100 Grainger Parkway,
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
United States,
(847) 535-1000
www.grainger.com

Grainger is a distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies and other related products and services used by businesses and institutions primarily in the United States and Canada. The Company also has a in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Grainger was established in 1927 and is based in Lake Forest, Illinois.


M&A Summary

Buy vs Sell

Year ≤ '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 T
Buy (0.0/yr) # 13 - - - - - 13
vol $481M $481M
Sell (0.4/yr) # 3 1 - - 1 - 5
  18

Most Recent M&A

Company Date Value Type
E&R Industrial Sales, Inc. 2023-12-12 - Divestiture
Sterling Heights, Michigan · www.erindustrial.com
Fabory Nederland B.V. 2020-06-02 - Divestiture
Tilburg, Netherlands · www.fabory.com
Techni-Tool, Inc. 2017-07-26 - Divestiture
Worcester, Pennsylvania · www.techni-tool.com
Cromwell Group (Holdings) Ltd. 2015-09-01 477M GBP Add-on Acquisition
Leicester, United Kingdom · www.cromwell.co.uk
Safety Solutions, Inc. 2013-12-03 - Add-on Acquisition
Dublin, Ohio · www.safetysolutions.com
AW Direct, Inc. 2013-12-02 - Divestiture
Janesville, Wisconsin · www.awdirect.com
Ben Meadows Co., Inc. 2013-12-02 - Divestiture
Janesville, Wisconsin · www.benmeadows.com
E&R Industrial Sales, Inc. 2013-08-26 - Add-on Acquisition
Sterling Heights, Michigan · www.erindustrial.com
Techni-Tool, Inc. 2012-12-17 - Add-on Acquisition
Worcester, Pennsylvania · www.techni-tool.com
AnFreixo S.A. 2012-04-03 - Divestiture
Sao Paulo, Brazil
View All >>

Business Unit M&A

Company Acquired Add-On/Sale Date #
Cromwell Group (Holdings) Ltd. 2015-09-01 Merlin Business Software Ltd. 2022-10-24 1
Leicester, United Kingdom · www.cromwell.co.uk Chesterfield, United Kingdom · www.merlinbusinesssoftware.com
GHC Specialty Brands LLC    - Gempler's, Inc. 2013-12-02 1
Janesville, Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin · www.gemplers.com
Acklands-Grainger, Inc.    - K&D Pratt Industrial Division 2009-11-30 5
Richmond Hill, Ontario · www.acklandsgrainger.com Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

M&A by Sector

Sector Buy # Value Sell # Value
Distribution 11 (85%) 481M (100%) 3 (60%) -
E-Commerce - - 2 (40%) -
Energy Services and Equipment 1 (8%) - - -
Safety/Security 1 (8%) - - -
Total 13 $481M 5 -

By Geo

State/Country Buy Value Sell Value
United States 6 - 4 -
  Wisconsin 1 - 2 -
  Pennsylvania 1 - 1 -
  Michigan 1 - 1 -
  Ohio 1 - - -
  Connecticut 1 - - -
India 2 - - -
Japan 2 4M - -
Netherlands 1 - 1 -
Brazil 1 - - -
United Kingdom 1 477M - -
Domestic 6 (46%) - 4 (80%) -
Cross-border 7 (54%) 481M (100%) 1 (20%) -
Total 13 $481M 5 -

Deal Values

buy # Total
$100M to $1B 1 $477M
< $100M 1 $4M
TOTAL $481M
Largest Cromwell Group (Holdings) Ltd.
$477M (2015-09-01)

M&A Connections

Deals
Acquired from
Investor(s)
15%
2 (15%)
Strategic(s)
8%
1 (8%)
Divested to
Investor(s)
40%
2 (40%)
Strategic(s)
60%
3 (60%)

Company Summary

SECTOR

Distribution

Revenue

16,478   9% 2023
15,228   17% 2022
13,022   11% 2021
11,797   3% 2020
11,486   3% 2019
11,221   8% 2018
10,425   3% 2017
10,137   2% 2016
9,973   1% 2015
9,965   6% 2014
9,437   6% 2013
8,950   2012
(millions of USD) Show More Show Less

Employees

21,800

Established

1927

Public

NYSE: GWW

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