Grainger 2018 sales up 8 percent
Grainger said its 2018 sales of $11.2 billion increased 8 percent versus $10.4 billion in the prior year.
Sales of $2.8 billion in the 2018 fourth quarter increased 5 percent versus $2.6 billion in the 2017 fourth quarter.
Net earnings for the full year of $782 million, or $13.73 per diluted share, compared to $586 million, or $10.02 per diluted share, in 2017.
Fourth-quarter earnings of $209 million, or $3.68 per diluted share, compared to $151 million, or $2.63, in last year's fourth quarter.
"Our key accomplishments included U.S. segment volume growth of 8 percent, a profitable fourth quarter for the Canadian business and double-digit revenue growth for our single channel businesses, all while reducing our cost structure across the organization," said DG Macpherson, chairman and chief executive officer. "We remain confident in our ability to drive volume growth above the market and generate operating expense leverage in 2019 and beyond. Consistent with our previous projections, we expect 12.2 to 13.0 percent operating margin for the company in 2019."
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
