Subscriber Login

MDM Premium Content  What's this?
Subscribe today to access MDM's premium content with two issues a month of timely and to-the-point content for the busy wholesale distribution executive. Here's what you get:
  • Analysis of distribution trends
  • Interviews with industry leaders
  • Quarterly Public Distributor Report
  • Quarterly Inflation by Commodity Group Report
  • Market and economic data analysis
  • Access to the best online research tool in distribution

And much more! Learn more

Forgot Your Password?
For more precise results try using quotation marks ("") around your search terms. See more search tips.

 

Grainger Settles Government Case for $6M

By    MDM  Staff 
July 28, 2008
More about:  Government Legal W.W. Grainger
Chicago, IL-based Grainger has agreed to a settlement of $6 million with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve a Trade Agreements Act and Sourcing complaint, which alleged that Grainger overcharged the government and illegally relabeled products manufactured in non-trade agreement countries so they could be sold to the U.S. government.
 
The whistleblower case was unsealed in January 2008 in a federal court in Wisconsin.  Grainger said it resolved the complaint to avoid further costly legal fees." The complaint was initially filed by Brian M. Holbrook, a former district sales manager of government sales at Grainger, in 2006. He worked for Grainger starting in December of 2004.
 
"We value our reputation with our customers and are committed to operating ...
Text Size
Email Print
Chicago, IL-based Grainger has agreed to a settlement of $6 million with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve a Trade Agreements Act and Sourcing complaint, which alleged that Grainger overcharged the government and illegally relabeled products manufactured in non-trade agreement countries so they could be sold to the U.S. government.
 
The whistleblower case was unsealed in January 2008 in a federal court in Wisconsin.  Grainger said it resolved the complaint to avoid further costly legal fees." The complaint was initially filed by Brian M. Holbrook, a former district sales manager of government sales at Grainger, in 2006. He worked for Grainger starting in December of 2004.
 
"We value our reputation with our customers and are committed to operating with the highest level of integrity," said Grainger President and CEO James Ryan. "When the Justice Department indicated its willingness to discuss these matters, we responded quickly."
 
"The government is an important customer to Grainger, and we have always taken compliance seriously, which is why Grainger has continuously improved its compliance program from the beginning of the contract."
 
Discussions with the Department of Justice relating to its previously disclosed review of the company's compliance with disclosure obligations under the GSA contract and the contract's pricing provisions are ongoing, according to Grainger.

Grainger said that it believes it has complied with the GSA contract "in all material respects and will provide updates as warranted in its public filings."


W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2007 sales of $6.4 billion, is a broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and China. It has more than 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites.
Print Email
Use the form below to leave a comment

MDM Digital

Executive Briefing:
                  January 2012The Case for Mobile
in Distribution Marketing

John Sonnhalter explains why distributors should include mobile in their marketing plans and how to start. Watch now.
iPad users: click here to view.
Economic Update January 2012 Economic Update:
The Festering Euro-Crisis

MAPI Economist Kris Bledowski analyzes the outcome of recent meetings about the European banking and debt crisis. Watch now.
Bob
                  DeStefano's #1 Mistake on Company WebsitesOnline Marketing Tips
from Bob DeStefano

Many companies make the same mistake on their company websites. Do you? Find out.
More Audio and Video Features from MDM:
  • MDM Podcast

Think About It:
When They Google,
Will You Be There?

In this digital age, the first stop a potential customer makes is the internet. If you're not there, you're not part of the decision-making process.

Listen now.

Learn more or subscribe to the Think About It podcast.

  • Training

Upcoming Programs

Feb. 9: Operating for Profit: The Coming Revolution in Supply Chain Finance with Jonathan Byrnes. This program is part of the quarterly Islands of Profit Webcast Series.

Did you miss MDM's recent webcasts? Order the DVDs and share with your team today:

* Leading for Profit: How to Lead a Profitability Turnaround

* Inventory Management Best Practices in 2012

  • Featured

USAbrasives-100-for-trifecta

U.S. Abrasives Market Demand Report

This report provides a three-dimensional view into estimated market size, customer segment potential and customer size demographics for the U.S. Abrasives Market.

These three data slices give you deep insight into total market potential and your market share by both customer type and size.

Learn more about the U.S. Abrasives Market Demand Report

Training Resources

Current Issue   Management Tips 2011   Inventory Management   Benchmarks and Best Practices

Featured Article - MDM-Baird Benchmarking Survey: Distributor Optimism Returns

$34.95

Buy now >>

Management Tips from Modern Distribution Management

$49.95

Buy now >>

Inventory Management Best Practices with Jon Schreibfeder: DVD + Book

$119.00

Buy now >>

Benchmarks & Best Practices: The Answer Book for Growth-Minded CFOs & Controllers

$249.00

Buy now >>

Job Board
Title Company Location
Sales Account Manager - Energy Market Segment TESSCO Baltimore, MD
Channels Marketing Representative -- Advanced Supply Chain Business Information Systems Scientel Intormation Technology, Inc. Southeast Michigan
Technical Trainer - Innovative Change Agent - Long Island City, NY Daikin AC Long Island City, NY
Sales Representative Superior Essex Minnesota
Strategic Sales Consultant IDC-USA Indianapolis, Indiana
Counter Sales Heating and Cooling Supply Chatsworth, California
Counter Sales Heating and Cooling Supply Thousand Palms, CA
View ALL Wholesale Distribution Job Listings

Industry Topics

Distribution Trends RSS

Economy RSS

Management/Strategy RSS

Interviews RSS

Operations RSS

Technology RSS

Mergers/Acquisitions RSS

Case Studies RSS

Sales & Marketing RSS

MDM Premium


January 25, 2012  

4202 cover image

MDM/Baird Survey: Optimism Returns

Rexel's U.S. CEO on Service & Alternative Energy

Global Markets Not Just for Large Companies

December 2011 Industrial Inflation Index

subscribe now View Table of Contents >>
Subscribers: Log-in
View Previous Issues



Featured Products

answer book for CFOs and Controllers

Benchmarks & Best Practices: The Answer Book for Growth-Minded CFOs & Controllers

Reviews (0)
 
Price: $249.00
An ultra practical idea-guide that gives an inside look at how leading companies are dealing with some of today's toughest financial and business management challenges.
Distribution Landscape Report - 2011

2011 MDM Market Leaders and Distribution Landscape Report

Reviews (0)
 
Price: $295.00
The ideal resource for anyone that wants to get a quick overview of the distribution landscape and the top players in major sectors! Includes the 2011 Distribution M&A Special Report.
B-to-B Online Marketing Toolkit Cover

The B-to-B Online Marketing Toolkit:
A Step-by-Step Plan for Distributors and Manufacturers to Leverage Online Marketing for Bottom Line Results

Reviews (0)
 
Price: $249.00
The 2011 Edition of this valuable marketing tool provides a step-by-step plan for leveraging Online Marketing to produce Bottom-Line Results. Bulk pricing available.


tech directory: start your search here