W.W. Grainger (GWW)

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee met four times in 2008. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is "independent," as that term is defined in the independence requirements for audit committee members contained in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Board has also determined that each of Mr. Brian P. Anderson, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Ms. V. Ann Hailey, a member of the Audit Committee, is an "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined in the applicable rules of the SEC.

        The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight responsibility with respect to Grainger's financial reporting process, Grainger's systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the integrity of Grainger's financial statements, Grainger's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of Grainger's independent auditors, and the performance of Grainger's internal audit function and independent auditors. It also has oversight responsibilities for various aspects of certain employee benefit plans. Additionally included among the responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight

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Table of Contents

of the independent auditors; the establishment of procedures for the treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters; and the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has the further responsibility of overseeing compliance with Grainger's Business Conduct Guidelines.

Audit Committee

       The Audit Committee met four times in 2007. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is "independent," as that term is defined in the independence requirements for audit committee members contained in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Board has also determined that each of Mr. Brian P. Anderson, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Ms. V. Ann Hailey, a member of the Audit Committee, is an "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined in the applicable rules of the SEC.

       The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight responsibility with respect to Grainger's financial reporting process, Grainger's systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the

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integrity of Grainger's financial statements, Grainger's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of Grainger's independent auditors, and the performance of Grainger's internal audit function and independent auditors. It also has oversight responsibilities for various aspects of certain employee benefit plans. Additionally included among the responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the independent auditors, the establishment of procedures for the treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters, and the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has the further responsibility of overseeing compliance with Grainger's Business Conduct Guidelines.

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee met four times in 2006. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is "independent," as that term is defined in the independence requirements for audit committee members contained in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Board has also determined that Mr. Brian P. Anderson, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Ms. V. Ann Hailey, a member of the Audit Committee, each is an "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined in the applicable rules of the SEC.

        The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight responsibility with respect to Grainger's financial reporting process, Grainger's systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the integrity of Grainger's financial statements, Grainger's compliance with legal and regulatory

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requirements, the qualifications and independence of Grainger's independent auditors, and the performance of Grainger's internal audit function and independent auditors. It also has oversight responsibilities for various aspects of certain employee benefit plans. Additionally included among the responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the independent auditors, the establishment of procedures for the treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters, and the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has the further responsibility of overseeing compliance with Grainger's Business Conduct Guidelines.

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee met six times in 2005. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is "independent," as that term is defined in the independence requirements for audit committee members contained in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Board has also determined that Mr. Brian P. Anderson, Chairman of the Audit Committee, is an "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined in the applicable rules of the SEC.

        The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight responsibility with respect to Grainger's financial reporting process, Grainger's systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the integrity of Grainger's financial statements, Grainger's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of Grainger's independent auditor, and the performance of Grainger's internal audit function and independent auditor. It also has oversight responsibilities for various aspects of certain employee benefit plans. Additionally included among the responsibilities of

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the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the independent auditor, the establishment of procedures for the treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters, and the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee has the further responsibility of overseeing compliance with Grainger's Business Conduct Guidelines.

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee met five times in 2004. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is "independent," as that term is defined in the independence requirements for audit committee members contained in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Board has also determined that Mr. Brian P. Anderson, Chairman of the Audit Committee, is an "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined in the applicable rules of the SEC.

        The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight responsibility with respect to Grainger's financial reporting process, Grainger's systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the integrity of Grainger's financial statements, Grainger's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of Grainger's independent auditors, and the performance of Grainger's internal audit function and independent auditors. It also has oversight responsibilities for various aspects of certain employee benefit plans. Additionally included among the responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the independent auditors, the establishment of procedures for the treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters, and the pre-approval of audit and non-audit

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services to be provided by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has the further responsibility of overseeing compliance with Grainger's Business Conduct Guidelines.