W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW), a broad line distributor of facilities maintenance products, Friday announced its plans to become a 53% majority owner of MonotaRO, a direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operating, or MRO, supplies in Japan. Grainger expects to invest approximately $4 million through a tender offer bid process later this summer.
MonotaRO, established in 2000 in Osaka, started as a joint venture company between Grainger and Sumitomo Corp., supplying MRO products in Japan, the second largest industrial market in the world. MonotaRO offers over 110,000 products to more than 320,000 customers in Japan. In 2008, MonotaRO had revenues of $136 million and operating earnings of $11 million.
MonotaRO is traded on the Mothers market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is seeking to transfer its listing to the TSE 1st Section. In anticipation of the transfer, MonotaRO on June 19 has announced a shareholder meeting in late July to authorize the repurchase of 1.83 million shares.
Upon completion of MonotaRO's repurchase of shares, Grainger's ownership would increase from 38% to 48%. In early August, Grainger plans to tender in Japan for 380,000 MonotaRO shares, approximately 5% of MonotaRO shares, at a price of 1,010 yen per common share and has an agreement with Sumitomo, which will commit 380,000 shares. The tender offer will allow Grainger to achieve a 53% majority interest in MonotaRO. The tender is anticipated to be completed in the third quarter.
Commenting on the plan, Lake Forest, Illinois-based Grainger's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Ryan stated, "We are excited about the opportunity to increase our ownership of MonotaRO. The Japanese MRO market is estimated at $50 billion and MonotaRO has been growing by helping thousands of small and mid-size businesses get the quality products they need to keep their facilities running."
GWW is trading at $82.21, up $0.19, on a volume of 236,444 shares.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.