form8k21109.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event
reported):
February
11, 2009
W.W.
Grainger, Inc.
(Exact name of
Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Illinois
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1-5684
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36-1150280
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(State or
Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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100
Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
(Address of
Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
(847)
535-1000
(Registrant's
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not
applicable
(Former Name or
Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
[
] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)
[
] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14a-12)
[
] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[
] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item
2.05. Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal of
Activities.
On
February 11, 2009 W. W. Grainger, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release
announcing the elimination of 300 to 400 jobs across the Company’s work force as
a result of lower sales volume and the combination of its Lab Safety Supply and
Grainger Industrial Supply businesses. One-time cash severance
charges of approximately $15 million to $20 million are expected to be
recognized between now and the end of the calendar year. Severance
payments will be paid-out over varying periods. The Company expects
the severance charges to be offset by anticipated annualized cost savings of
between $25 million and $35 million. A copy of the press release is
provided as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.
Item
9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
(numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K).
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Exhibit
No.
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Document
Description
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99.1
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Press release announcing January 2009 sales
results and
elimination of
jobs.
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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.
Dated: February
11, 2009
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W.W.
GRAINGER, INC.
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By:
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/s/ John L.
Howard
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John L.
Howard
Senior Vice
President and
General
Counsel
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