W.W. Grainger expanded its security product line to include more mechanical and electronic security supplies.

The move, which triples the number of security products the company offers, comes in response to greater customer demand spurred by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and rising crime rates. Security product sales in the United States are expected to top $18 billion by 2008, according to a company statement citing industry reports.

“We bolstered our security offering to enable customers to meet their security retrofit and replacement products, allowing them to create safer environments at their businesses and facilities,” vice president of merchandising Bob Cocks says. “Our customers count on us to be a one-stop shop for a broad selection of maintenance, repair and operating supplies so they can efficiently manage their facilities.”

The increase brings the Lake Forest, Ill.-based MRO distributor's total security products offering to more than 4,300 items, including an expanded selection of hinges and door hardware, security doors, key control cabinets, machines, blanks and duplicators, padlocks and accessories.

It also includes more cylindrical locksets, deadbolts and boltlocks, emergency exit devices, alarms, security identification supplies, electronic access control locksets and keypads, metal detectors, security cameras and supplies, and electromagnetic locks and devices.