EXHIBIT 99.1
                      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of MSC Industrial Direct
Co., Inc. (the "Company") for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2003 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),
I, Mitchell Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant
to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:


         (1) 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 the Company.


By:   /s/ Mitchell Jacobson
     ------------------------------
Name:   Mitchell Jacobson
     ----------------------------
Chief Executive Officer
July 11, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.