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Grainger—a leading broad line distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and services—brought together more than 10,000 customers, suppliers, and industry leaders at the March Grainger Show in Orlando, Florida. The biennial event is one of the largest MRO gatherings in the world, and focuses on the latest trends, advancements, and challenges shaping the industry.

At the Grainger Show, customers participated in three days of seminars and roundtable discussions designed to help them reduce downtime, gain better control of indirect inventory, and strengthen workplace safety—challenges that directly impact productivity and cost in day-to-day operations. Attendees also had opportunities to network with industry peers, connect directly with suppliers, and explore hands-on demonstrations showcasing cutting-edge innovations for operations, inventory, procurement, and safety.

"The Grainger Show is designed to spark new ideas, showcase our solutions, and equip customers with practical strategies they can put to work right away to run safer, more resilient operations," says Paige Robbins, Senior Vice President and President of the Grainger Business Unit. "Whether it's strengthening supply chains, ensuring workforce readiness, or leveraging smarter tools and AI-driven insights, our focus is simple: helping customers stay ahead of today's challenges and what's next by being a partner they can count on."

During the event, Grainger also announced the recipients of its "Partners in Performance" awards—a distinction reserved for top-performing suppliers that consistently demonstrate excellence across operations, commercial performance, product content, and partnership. Klein Tools received top honors as "Supplier of the Year," while newcomer Essity was named "New Supplier of the Year."

The 2025 Partners in Performance award recipients include:

Overall Supplier of the Year: Klein Tools

New Supplier of the Year: Essity

Sustainability Supplier: Schneider Electric

Excellence in Partnership (Individual): Teresa Wu, 3M

Sourcing Partner: Husky Rack & Wire

Contact of the Year (Individual): Brandon Sonich, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions

Carrier/Transportation Partners: Southeastern Freight Lines; Continental Courier Inc.

Direct Suppliers: MCR Safety Group; Interplast; 3M; Mechanix Wear; Klever; Nu-Calgon; Knipex Tools; Vikan; Fein Power Tools; Ghent; Agsco Corporation; Zipwall; The Jel Sert Company

Indirect Suppliers: WTW; Quad Graphics

"These partners exemplify the innovation, reliability, and customer-focused approach that define our most valued relationships, allowing us both to grow together," shares Barry Greenhouse, Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Supplier Management at Grainger. "Their commitment to quality and continuous improvement has directly contributed to our ability to deliver the products and services our customers rely upon every day."