Transactions

the assets of Rand Materials Handling Equipment Co. have been acquired by Lab Safety Supply, Inc. a subsidiary of W.W. Grainger, Inc. MERTZ ASSOCIATES has assisted and advised LSS in designing an acquisition search program and continues to cultivate relationships with potential sellers.

• RAND MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT CO., Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a national catalog distributor of warehouse, storage and packaging supplies and part of the $80 billion material handling market. Founded in 1972, Rand operates a successful catalog direct marketing model and has grown its business to more than $16 million in annual sales in 2005.
   
• LAB SAFETY SUPPLY, INC. (LSS), Janesville, Wisconsin, is the leading business-to-business direct marketer of industrial and safety products in North America. LSS is the premier direct marketer of targeted, specialty brands including LSS, Ben Meadows, Gempler’s and AW Direct. Rand will become part of LSS and operate out of LSS’ facility in Janesville.
   
• W.W. GRAINGER, INC.,  Lake Forest, Illinois, is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions throughout North America. It operates through a highly integrated network including nearly 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites with sales over $5.5 billion. Grainger shares are traded on the New York and Chicago stock exchanges under the symbol GWW.