Grainger enhances presence in Pittsburgh area

Grainger, a local business-to-business distributor of facilities maintenance supplies, on December 5 announced plans to enhance service to Pittsburgh-area customers by investing in its local operations. As part of a multi-year expansion program, the company is adding new locations, expanding its existing facilities and enhancing service through improved same-day availability of the products Pittsburgh-area customers need to get their jobs done. 

"Our local expansion is making it easier for business and government customers to get the products they need quickly and conveniently, in stock and available the same day," said Rich Herron, district branch services manager. "Grainger has been a part of the Pittsburgh business community for 65 years, and we're excited about how the enhancements we're making will benefit area customers."

Grainger will realize a nearly 25 percent increase in overall square footage in the market as a result of the expansion. Changes include adding two new facilities – in Greensburg and Cranberry Township – and more than doubling the size of three existing showrooms located – on Liberty Avenue, Beta Drive and Park West Drive in downtown Pittsburgh.

"Our customers told us they wanted more of the products they need to maintain, repair and operate their facilities positioned closer to them, available same-day, and we listened," said Herron. "We strive to help our customers drive productivity in their operations by being a one-stop shop for all their maintenance supply needs."

In addition to the investments Grainger is making to better serve customers, the company is committed to the Pittsburgh community. As such, Grainger is donating $10,000 to the Community College of Allegheny County to support wireless computer technology equipment for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning program (HVAC) and scholarships for students.

"Grainger is proud to support the men and women who will be the leaders of tomorrow," said Grainger branch manager Jim Stobart. "We know that in today's workplace there is an ever increasing need for skilled trades-people, and we are proud to show our support through this contribution."

"This generous grant will enable us to provide even more effective instruction in HVAC with wireless technology right in the student labs," said CCAC interim

president Michael T. Murphy. "Deserving students also will benefit from the scholarships to prepare for positions in a field designated by Pennsylvania as being in high demand."

Grainger's changes in Pittsburgh are part of the company's national market expansion program designed to make the purchasing of facilities maintenance products faster and easier for business customers in major metropolitan areas. Grainger has already completed changes in Atlanta, Houston, Cincinnati, Denver, Seattle, Southern California, St. Louis and Tampa, and is now enhancing its presence in markets such as Baltimore, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Twin Cities and Phoenix. In 2007, Grainger plans to invest up to $80 million on its expansion initiative across the nation.

The company recently expanded its product offering as well. Earlier this year, Grainger launched its enhanced product catalog featuring more than 138,000 facilities maintenance products, an increase of more than 23,000 items over last year's record offering. The newly added items include more than 7,000 plumbing products such as high grade pipes, valves and fittings; 4,000 material handling supplies such as conveyors, hoists and casters; 5,000 fasteners such as nuts, bolts and screws; and 1,600 security products such as locks and hinges. Grainger's branch locations in Pittsburgh offer businesses access to thousands of these products, in stock and available the same day.