UPDATE: Grainger looks to Central America, opens new Boston location

Industrial Distribution staff -- Industrial Distribution, 5/21/2008 9:34:00 AM

W.W. Grainger Inc. plans to expand its footprint in Central America, the Reuters news service reported.
The Lake Forest, Ill-based broad-line MRO distributor told the Electrical Products Group's annual conference in New York that it will open a branch in Panama this summer and increase its number of branches in Mexico in a bid to become that country's first "national player," according to the news service.
North of the border, Grainger is targeting growth in eastern Canada.
In a separate announcement, Grainger said it opened a new store in South Boston’s Seaport District.
The 2,500-square-foot showroom is the company's 10th location in the Boston area for , which employs about 170 people in the region.
“The changes we're making are in direct response to what our customers asked for,” district branch services manager Steve Rodrigues said. “We're committed to supporting the revitalization of the Seaport District and the businesses that are making it happen. Grainger is better positioned than ever to meet local customers' needs.”
Grainger also announced a $5,000 donation to fund scholarships for students training to be HVAC technicians at Boston’s Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology.
“We believe one of the best ways to ensure a bright and prosperous future in Boston is to support the leaders of tomorrow,” Rodrigues said. "We're proud to support Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology as they prepare students to assume these leadership roles.”
Grainger ranked fourth on INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION’s 2007 Big 50 list of distributors, with 2006 sales of $5.9 billion.