W.W. Grainger (GWW) 10-Q 2004 Q3 Quarterly report

Exhibit 32(a)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, R. L. Keyser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (“Grainger”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Grainger for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Grainger.

/s/ R. L. Keyser              
R. L. Keyser
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer

November 3, 2004