March 29, 2006 — The Schneider Electric North American Operating Division was presented with Grainger’s prestigious Partners in Performance Supplier Award for 2005 at its Partners in Performance Supplier Conference held March 9, 2006, in Itasca, Ill. Grainger, the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions throughout North America, presents the award annually to a select group of suppliers for outstanding performance throughout the year. “We are honored to be recognized by Grainger as a partner in performance,” said Dave Petratis, president and CEO of Schneider Electric’s North American Operating Division.
“Our Schneider Electric business philosophy and commitment to excellence mirrors that of Grainger, and we look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership. Last year proves we raised the bar on performance and we hope to do that in 2006 as well.” Grainger’s Partners in Performance Award recognizes suppliers who achieve excellence in several categories, including responsiveness, information integrity, on-time shipping and order fulfillment. Grainger suppliers receive ratings throughout the year for their performance in each of these categories. Approximately 2 percent of Grainger’s 1,200 suppliers receive this award each year.
“Grainger is proud to present Schneider Electric’s North American Operating Division with the 2005 Partners in Performance Award,” said Michael Pulick, Grainger’s vice president of product management. “We value our relationship with Schneider Electric and want to recognize suppliers who have demonstrated superior performance and are true role models within their industry. As a company, we look forward to continuing to work together and to drive profitable growth for both companies.” Grainger has recognized its top suppliers for the past 20 years. Formerly called the CFQ1 award, the recognition was changed to Partners in Performance to more accurately reflect the relationship between Grainger and its suppliers.
About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2005 sales of $5.5 billion, is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions throughout North America.
Through a highly integrated network including nearly 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger’s employees help customers get the job done, saving them time and money by having the right products to keep their facilities running.
About Schneider Electric
Headquartered in Palatine, Ill., the North American Operating Division of Schneider Electric had sales of $2.8 billion (U.S.) in 2005.
The North American Operating Division is one of four operating divisions of Schneider Electric, headquartered in Paris, France, and markets the Square D, Telemecanique and Merlin Gerin brand products to customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States, Schneider Electric is best known by its flagship Square D brand, with Telemecanique becoming increasingly known in the industrial control and automation markets and supported by many Square D distributors. For 100 years, Square D has been a market-leading brand of electrical distribution and industrial control products, systems and services.
Schneider Electric is a global electrical industry leader with 2005 sales of approximately $14.5 billion (U.S.).
