Glenview, Illinois – (December 16, 2011) – Illinois Tool Works Inc (NYSE: ITW) announced today that it has acquired the Gang-Nail business and assets from both Gang-Nail Systems Ltd. (Gang-Nail) based in the United Kingdom and International Truss Systems Pty Ltd (ITS) based in South Africa.  

Michel Cavillon, the Vice President Industry Europe within the ITW Components Group has been working closely with the existing management team of Gang-Nail to make this transition as smooth as possible and is looking forward to the growth of the group from this acquisition which will enhance and add benefits to their existing market offering of products, software and services.

With nearly 100 years of history, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global diversified industrial manufacturer. The Company's value-added consumables, equipment and service businesses serve customers in developed as well as emerging markets around the globe. ITW's key business platforms, including welding, automotive OEM, industrial packaging, food equipment, construction, polymers and fluids, test and measurement, electronics, decorative surfaces and automotive aftermarket, employ more than 60,000 people worldwide. ITW's revenues totaled $15.4 billion in 2010, with more than half of these revenues generated outside of the United States.

We can confirm our software, Roof & Truss and Matrix along with all existing management and staff will be retained within the business so it’s business as usual. Manufacturing and office staff will also still operate from our existing operation in Aldershot. There will be a transition period for Gang-Nail to migrate into the ITW brand and business operations and we are confident this process can be achieved without any disruption to our customer base in the forthcoming weeks/months.

If there any immediate questions on notification of this announcement, please do not hesitate to contact the following people:

Paul Baron       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it       01252 339122 or 07770 852005
Jason Ruddle    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it       01252 339118 or 07764 948313
Roland Maasik  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it      01252 339141
Dave Goode     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it       01252 339111 or 07788 411064