Company: GWW
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form Type: PRE 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-015730
Chunk: 4

Company: W.W. GRAINGER, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form: PRE 14A
Chunk 4
---
 (“ESG”). In addition, at least annually, management briefs the entire Board on the Company’s progress in executing its environmental, social and governance strategy. The Board closely monitors and helps ensure that Grainger’s management processes and financial resources have been effectively deployed to fulfill our purpose—We Keep the World Working ® —and to remain the go-to-partner for people who build and run safe, sustainable, and productive operations. In 2025, the Company will focus on the following four priorities as we aim to continue serving our customers’ maintenance, repair and operating (“MRO”) needs better than anyone else, grow market share profitably and make Grainger a great place to work: • Drive profitable market share gains by delivering on our growth drivers and service improvements; • Integrate operational excellence and productivity in all we do to keep our business healthy and sustainable; • Strengthen our culture and ensure an outstanding team member experience by consistently demonstrating our principles; and • Meet our financial goals across both the High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment business models. Board Actions The Board believes that a diverse, experienced, and vibrant board significantly contributes to the broad-based thinking needed to reach sound decisions. These attributes equip the Board to oversee the Company in meeting both current challenges and future needs, and ultimately assist in driving shareholder value. The 2025 Board slate consists of 12 Director nominees with various experiences and backgrounds, including six non-employee Directors who have joined the Board since 2020. The addition of these Directors demonstrates the Board’s commitment to gaining the benefits of broad perspectives and backgrounds. The Board’s various experiences and viewpoints benefit the Company most when they are aligned with our global business needs, reflective of our strong corporate governance practices, and consistent with our goals. As a result of the Board’s ongoing refreshment efforts, we have added Directors with expertise in technology, digital commerce, finance and corporate transactions, workforce diversification, and global logistics management. Our six newest non-employee Directors—George S. Davis, Katherine D. Jaspon, Christopher J. Klein, Cindy J. Miller, Susan Slavik Williams, and Steven A. White—bring valuable perspectives and experiences to enhance the composition of our Board. Corporate Culture: The Grainger Edge ® The Board strongly believes that the Company’s culture must be tightly aligned with its business strategy to create value. To that end, the Board is actively engaged with senior management in cultivating Grainger’s culture. The Board believes that the Company’s purpose-driven culture is an asset that creates a