Grainger's MonotaRO Named To Forbes Asia "Best Under A Billion" List

CHICAGO, Dec. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MonotaRO, a Japan-based leading eCommerce direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products, and affiliate of Grainger (NYSE: GWW), recently was named to the Forbes Asia "Best Under A Billion" list, which highlights 200 of the best small and mid-sized publicly traded companies in Asia Pacific. 

"Congratulations to our MonotaRO team members," said DG Macpherson, Senior Vice President and Group President, Global Supply Chain and International with Grainger.  "MonotaRO and Grainger share the same commitment to providing customers the products they need, when they need them.  This is at the core of everything we do, and it starts with customer service.  We are very proud of MonotaRO, and delighted they are a part of our team."

MonotaRO offers more than 5 million products to help organizations operate and maintain their facilities.  The company serves more than 1 million customers, with a focus on small and mid-sized organizations, across a full range of industries.  More than 80 percent of MonotoRO's transactions are conducted online.

"We are honored to receive this distinction," said Kinya Seto, Senior Vice President, responsible for Grainger's single-channel online business.  "The combination of a strong team dedicated to service, along with a superior online experience, helps us earn the loyalty of thousands of new customers monthly."

To qualify for the Forbes Asia "Best Under A Billion" list, companies must have revenue between $5 million and $1 billion, positive net income and be publicly traded for at least a year.  Forbes draws from a universe of 15,000 companies that are screened on sales growth, earnings growth and return on equity.  The result is a final list featuring 200 exceptional small and mid-sized companies from Asia Pacific.

Grainger is a 52 percent stakeholder in MonotaRO Co. Ltd.  With more than $57 billion in MRO potential in Japan, Grainger is focused on growing its presence through the single-channel business model it operates.

About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2012 sales of $9 billion, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with expanding global operations.  For more information about the company, visit www.grainger.com.

SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.