BEIJING, June 12, 2007 - Richard L. Keyser, chairman and CEO of W. W. Grainger, Inc., received the Marco Polo Award today during a banquet held at the Diaoyutai State Guest House. The award is presented in recognition of the company’s contribution to supporting foreign expert volunteers in China.

The General Director of China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) presented the Marco Polo Award to Keyser on behalf of SAFEA, the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel and the US-China Foundation for International Exchanges.

In the spirit of the famous Italian traveler who visited China in the thirteenth century, the award is presented to American business leaders and other honored recipients for their work in advancing economic and cultural ties between China and the United States. Past award winners include leaders of Ford Automotive, Motorola, Kodak, Johnson & Johnson, Estee Lauder and Heinz and former President George H. Bush.

"I am very happy to accept the Marco Polo Award on behalf of Grainger," said Richard Keyser. "Grainger has a long tradition of supporting the communities where we do business, and now that we are in China I am very pleased we can help these esteemed institutions and support the work of dedicated volunteers in economic development and scientific work.”