Company: GWW
Filing Date: 2025-03-07
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-021496
Chunk: 11

Company: W.W. GRAINGER, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-03-07
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 11
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 1:ELECTION OFDIRECTORS | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 2:RATIFY THEINDEPENDENTAUDITOR | ​ | ​ | EXECUTIVECOMPENSATION | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 3:SAY ON PAY | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 4: APPROVALAND ADOPTION | ​ | ​ | QUESTIONS ANDANSWERS | ​ | ​ | APPENDICES | ​ |

TABLE OF CONTENTS

| ​ | invest.grainger.com | ​ | ​ | 7 | ​ | ​ | ● | ​ |

The results of these evaluations are used to help inform searches for potential Board nominees and to screen Director candidates. In planning for Board refreshment and Director succession, the BANC periodically considers potential Director candidates. As a result of these ongoing reviews, in the last five years, six new independent Directors have joined the Board. The Board has established principles for selecting Directors in the Company’s Criteria for Membership on the Board of Directors (the “Criteria”). The Criteria list various factors that the BANC should consider in reviewing candidates for the Board. Grainger’s Criteria provide that Directors who will be age 72 as of the next annual meeting generally will not be nominated. Board Tenure As a group, the average Board tenure of the 2025 nominees for election to the Board is approximately 8 years, with 55% of the non-employee nominees having tenure of five years or less. See Board Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Background beginning on page 5 for a matrix reflecting tenure for each nominee . Board Diversity In addition to stating the desired relevant business experience, qualifications, attributes and skills for Directors, the Criteria also enumerate personal characteristics that should be considered, including reputation for ethics and integrity, sound judgment, independent and objective thought, and respect for diverse opinions. Regarding diversity, the Criteria specify that consideration will be given to candidates without regard to race, color, religion, gender or national origin. To ensure that the composition of the Board reflects the right balance of skills, qualifications and attributes, it seeks qualified nominees from a variety of backgrounds. Attendance of Directors at Meetings As set forth in the Operating Principles, all Directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of shareholders, Board and Committee meetings, and to spend the time needed to properly discharge their duties. All Directors then serving attended the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”). In addition, during 2024, no Director attended fewer than 75% of the total number