Illinois Tool Works - 10-K annual report

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:(847) 724-7500

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  X           No       

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes                No  X 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  X           No       

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 ofRegulation S-Kis not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of thisForm 10-Kor any amendment to thisForm 10-K.  [    ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” inRule 12b-2of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  X           Accelerated filer       

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined inRule 12b-2of the Exchange Act). Yes                 No  X 

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 29, 2007 was approximately $24,300,000,000, based on the New York Stock Exchange closing sales price as of June 29, 2007.

 

Shares of Common Stock outstanding at January 31, 2008 — 526,912,512.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (the “Company” or “ITW”) was founded in 1912 and incorporated in 1915. The Company is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of industrial products and equipment with approximately 825 operations in 52 countries. During 2007, the Company changed its internal management reporting. These 825 businesses are internally reported as 60 operating segments to senior management. The Company’s 60 operating segments have been aggregated into the following eight reportable segments for external purposes:

 

Industrial Packaging:  Businesses in this segment produce steel, plastic and paper products used for bundling, shipping and protecting transported goods.

 

In the Industrial Packaging segment, products include:

 

 

Power Systems & Electronics:  Businesses in this segment produce equipment and consumables associated with specialty power conversion, metallurgy and electronics.

 

In the Power Systems & Electronics segment, products include:

 

 

Transportation:  Businesses in this segment produce components, fasteners, fluids and polymers for transportation-related applications.

 

In the Transportation segment, products include:

 

 

Construction Products:  Businesses in this segment produce tools, fasteners and other products for construction applications.

 

In the Construction Products segment, products include:

 

 

 

Food Equipment:  Businesses in this segment produce commercial food equipment and related service.

 

In the Food Equipment segment, products include:

 

 

Decorative Surfaces:  Businesses in this segment produce decorative surfacing materials for countertops, flooring, furniture and other applications.

 

In the Decorative Surfaces segment, products include:

 

 

Polymers & Fluids:  Businesses in this segment produce adhesives, sealants, lubrication and cutting fluids, and janitorial and sanitation supplies.

 

In the Polymers & Fluids segment, products include:

 

 

All Other:  This segment includes all other operating segments.

 

In the All Other segment, products include:

 

 

 

In prior periods, the Company’s operations were aggregated and organized into the following four segments: Engineered Products — North America; Engineered Products — International; Specialty Systems — North America; and Specialty Systems — International. The segment information in prior years has been restated to conform to the new segment presentation.

 

A key element of the Company’s business strategy is its continuous 80/20 business process for both existing businesses and new acquisitions. The basic concept of this 80/20 business process is to focus on what is most important (the 20% of the items which account for 80% of the value) and to spend less time and resources on the less important (the 80% of the items which account for 20% of the value). The Company’s operations use this 80/20 business process to simplify and focus on the key parts of their business, and as a result, reduce complexity that often disguises what is truly important. The Company’s 825 operations utilize the 80/20 process in various aspects of their business. Common applications of the 80/20 business process include:

 

 

The result of the application of this 80/20 business process is that the Company has consistently improved its operating and financial performance. These 80/20 efforts can result in restructuring projects that reduce costs and improve margins. Corporate management works closely with those business units that have operating results below expectations to help those units better apply this 80/20 business process and improve their results.

 

In 2007 and 2006, the Company completed the divestitures of certain construction, consumer packaging and automotive machinery businesses and recognized after-tax gains on disposal of $40.2 million in 2007, including a tax benefit of $7.0 million, and $14.3 million in 2006, net of tax expense of $4.8 million. In addition, a consumer packaging and an automotive components business have been classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2007.

 

In 2004 and 2003, the Company sold the former Consumer Products segment, which was comprised of the following businesses: Precor specialty exercise equipment, West Bend small appliances and premium cookware, and Florida Tile ceramic tile. The Company’s net loss on disposal of the segment was $0.9 million in 2004 and $16.5 million in 2003.

 

Refer to pages 30 through 47, Management’s Discussion and Analysis, in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

Segment and geographic data and operating results of the segments are included on pages 32 through 40 and 70 through 72 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

The principal end markets served by the Company’s eight segments are as follows:

 

 

The Company’s businesses primarily distribute their products directly to industrial manufacturers and through independent distributors.

 

Backlog generally is not considered a significant factor in the Company’s businesses as relatively short delivery periods and rapid inventory turnover are characteristic of most of its products. Backlog by segment as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 is summarized as follows:

 

 

Backlog orders scheduled for shipment beyond calendar year 2008 were not material as of December 31, 2007.

 

The information set forth below is applicable to all industry segments of the Company unless otherwise noted:

 

The Company’s global competitive environment is complex because of the wide diversity of products the Company manufactures and the many markets it serves. Depending on the product or market, the Company may compete with a limited number of companies or with many others. The Company is a leading producer of plastic

and metal components and fasteners; industrial packaging machinery and related consumables; welding products and related consumables; automotive aftermarket maintenance and appearance products; food service equipment; laminate products; polymers and fluid products; consumer packaging; materials testing equipment; and industrial finishing equipment.

 

The Company uses raw materials of various types, primarily metals, plastics, paper and chemicals, that are available from numerous commercial sources. The availability of materials and energy has not resulted in any significant business interruptions or other major problems, and no such problems are anticipated.

 

The Company’s growth has resulted from developing new and improved products, broadening the application of established products, continuing efforts to improve and develop new methods, processes and equipment, and from acquisitions. Many new products are designed to reduce customers’ costs by eliminating steps in their manufacturing processes, reducing the number of parts in an assembly, or by improving the quality of customers’ assembled products. Typically, the development of such products is accomplished by working closely with customers on specific applications. Identifiable research and development costs are set forth on page 54 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

The Company owns approximately 3,800 unexpired United States patents covering articles, methods and machines. Many counterparts of these patents have also been obtained in various foreign countries. In addition, the Company has approximately 1,700 applications for patents pending in the United States Patent Office, but there is no assurance that any patent will be issued. The Company maintains an active patent department for the administration of patents and processing of patent applications.

 

The Company believes that many of its patents are valuable and important. Nevertheless, the Company credits its leadership in the markets it serves to engineering capability; manufacturing techniques; skills and efficiency; marketing and sales promotion; and service and delivery of quality products to its customers. The expiration of any one of the Company’s patents would not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

Many of the Company’s products are sold under various owned or licensed trademarks, which are important to the Company. Among the most significant are: ITW, Acme, Alpine, Angleboard, Apex, Ark-Les, Bernard, Betaprint, Binks, Buehler, Buildex, Chemtronics, Click Commerce, Covid, Deltar, Densit, Devcon, DeVilbiss, Dymon, Dynatec, Electrocal, Evercoat,E-Z Anchor, Fastex, Filtertek, Foilmark, Forte, Foster, Franklynn, Futura Coatings, Gema, Hi-Cone, Hobart, Instron, Intellibuild, Keps, Kester, Krafft, Lachenmeier, Lebo, LPS, Magna, Magnaflux, Meyercord, Miller, Mima, Minigrip, Nexus, NorDen, Orbitalum, Orgapack, Paktron, Paslode, Permatex, Plexus, Polymark, Pro/Mark, Pryda, QMI, Racor, Ramset, Ransburg, Red Head, Resopal, Reyflex, Rippey, Rockwell, Rocol, Shakeproof, Shore, Signode, Simco, Space Bag, Spectrum, Speedline, Spiroid, SPIT, Stero, Strapex, Tapcon, Teks, Tempil, Tenax, Texwipe, Traulsen, Tregaskiss, Truswal Systems, Valeron, Versachem, Vulcan, WERCS, Wilsonart, Wynn’s and Zip-Pak.

 

The Company believes that its plants and equipment are in substantial compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. Additional measures to maintain compliance are not expected to materially affect the Company’s capital expenditures, competitive position, financial position or results of operations.

 

Various legislative and administrative regulations concerning environmental issues have become effective or are under consideration in many parts of the world relating to manufacturing processes and the sale or use of certain products. To date, such developments have not had a substantial adverse impact on the Company’s

revenues or earnings. The Company has made considerable efforts to develop and sell environmentally compatible products.

 

The Company employed approximately 60,000 persons as of December 31, 2007 and considers its employee relations to be excellent.

 

The Company’s international operations include subsidiaries and joint ventures in 51 foreign countries on six continents. These operations serve such end markets as construction, general industrial, automotive, food institutional/restaurant and service, food and beverage, consumer durables, electronics, primary metals and others on a worldwide basis. The Company’s international operations contributed approximately 49% of revenues in 2007, 43% of revenues in 2006 and 42% of revenues in 2005.

 

Refer to pages 30 through 47 and page 72 in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders for additional information on international activities. International operations are subject to certain risks inherent in conducting business in foreign countries, including price controls, exchange controls, limitations on participation in local enterprises, nationalization, expropriation and other governmental action, and changes in currency exchange rates.

 

This annual report onForm 10-Kcontains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, without limitation, statements regarding availability of raw materials and energy, the expiration of any one of the Company’s patents, the cost of compliance with environmental regulations, the adequacy of internally generated funds, the meeting of dividend payout objectives, the ability to fund debt service obligations, payments under guarantees, the Company’s portion of future benefit payments related to pension and postretirement benefits, the availability of additional financing, the outcome of outstanding legal proceedings, the impact of adopting new accounting pronouncements and the estimated amount of unrecognized tax benefits. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Important risks that may influence future results include (1) a downturn or further downturn in the construction, general industrial, automotive or food institutional/restaurant and service markets, (2) deterioration in international and domestic business and economic conditions, particularly in North America, Europe, Asia or Australia, (3) the unfavorable impact of foreign currency fluctuations and costs of raw materials, (4) an interruption in, or reduction in, introducing new products into the Company’s product lines, (5) an unfavorable environment for making acquisitions, domestic and international, including adverse accounting or regulatory requirements and market values of candidates, and (6) unfavorable tax law changes and tax authority rulings. The risks covered here are not all inclusive and given these and other possible risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.

 

ITW practices fair disclosure for all interested parties. Investors should be aware that while ITW regularly communicates with securities analysts and other investment professionals, it is against ITW’s policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Shareholders should not assume that ITW agrees with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report.

 

Executive Officers of the Company as of February 27, 2008 were as follows:

 

 

The executive officers of the Company serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Except for Mses. Brady and Warner and Messrs. Brunner, Hindman, Kropp, Martel, Parry, Santi, Valls and Wooten, each of the foregoing officers has been employed by the Company in various elected executive capacities for more than five years. Ms. Brady was elected Senior Vice President of Human Resources in 2006. Prior to joining the Company in 2006, she was Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer of Snap-On Inc. Ms. Warner was elected Executive Vice President in 2007. Prior to joining the Company in 2005 as President of worldwide finishing, she was President of Plexus Systems and a Vice President of EDS. Mr. Brunner was elected Executive Vice President in 2006. He joined the Company in 1980 and has held various management positions with the automotive fasteners businesses. Mr. Hindman was elected Executive Vice President in 2004. He joined the Company in 1976 and has held various sales, marketing and general management positions with the construction products businesses. Mr. Kropp was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2006. He joined the Company in 1993. He has held various financial management positions and was appointed as Vice President and Controller, Financial Reporting in 2002 and was designated Principal Accounting Officer in 2005. Mr. Martel was elected Executive Vice President in 2006. He joined the Company in 1994 and has held various management positions in the automotive and metal components businesses. Mr. Parry was elected Executive Vice President in 2006. He joined the Company in 1994 and has held various management positions in the performance polymers businesses. Mr. Santi was elected Executive Vice President in 2004. He joined the Company in 1983 and has held various sales, marketing and general management positions with the construction products, machined components and welding businesses. Mr. Valls was elected Executive Vice President in 2007. Prior to his new appointment, he was Vice President and General Manager of ITW Delfast International. He joined the Company in 1989 and has held various management positions in the European automotive businesses. Mr. Wooten was elected Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2006. He joined the Company in 1988 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the legal department.

 

After the Company electronically files materials with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, it is available free of charge through the Company’s website (www.itw.com). Copies of the

following information are also available free of charge through the Company’s website (www.itw.com) and are available in print to any shareholder who requests it:

 

 

The Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to various risks, including, but not limited to those set forth below, which could cause actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results. These risk factors should be considered together with information included elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K.In addition, the Company is subject to substantially the same risk factors as otherU.S.-basedglobal industrial manufacturers, although the Company believes that its decentralized structure and the broad array of end markets that its businesses serve mitigates the possibility that any single risk factor will materially adversely effect the Company’s consolidated financial position.

 

While the Company’s businesses serve a broad array of end markets, a sustained downturn or further downturn in the construction, general industrial, automotive or food institutional/restaurant and service markets could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operation or financial condition.

 

The Company currently has approximately 825 business units in 52 countries. In 2007, approximately 49% of the Company’s revenues were generated outside of the United States. As the Company continues to expand its global footprint these sales may represent an ever increasing portion of the Company’s revenues. Deterioration in either international or domestic business and economic conditions could occur as a result of a number of factors including:

 

 

 

If the Company is unable to manage successfully the risks associated with expanding its international business or adequately manage operational fluctuations internationally, the risks could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

The Company’s supply of raw materials for its businesses could be interrupted for a variety of reasons, including availability and pricing. Prices for raw materials necessary for production have fluctuated significantly in the past and significant increases could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and profit margins. While the Company generally attempts to pass along increased raw material prices to its customers in the form of price increases, there may be a time delay between the increased raw material prices and the Company’s ability to increase the prices of its products, or it may be unable to increase the prices of its products due to pricing pressure or other factors.

 

The Company’s suppliers of component parts may significantly and quickly increase their prices in response to increases in costs of raw materials that they use to manufacture their component parts. In those circumstances, the Company may not be able to increase its prices commensurately with its increased costs. Consequently, its results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

 

The Company’s ability to develop new products based on innovation can affect its competitive position and often requires the investment of significant resources. Difficulties or delays in research, development or production of new products and services or failure to gain market acceptance of new products and technologies may significantly reduce future revenues and materially adversely affect the Company’s competitive position.

 

Protecting the Company’s intellectual property is critical to its innovation efforts. The Company owns a number of patents, trademarks and licenses related to its products and has exclusive and non-exclusive rights under patents owned by others. The Company’s intellectual property may be challenged or infringed upon by third parties or the Company may be unable to maintain, renew or enter into new license agreements with third party owners of intellectual property on reasonable terms. Unauthorized use of the Company’s intellectual property rights or inability to preserve existing intellectual property rights could materially adversely impact the Company’s competitive position and results of operations.

 

The Company completed 52 acquisitions in 2007 resulting in approximately $995 million of acquired annualized revenue. The Company expects to continue its strategy of identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products and services as well as larger acquisitions that represent potential new platforms. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to find suitable businesses to purchase or that it will be able to acquire such businesses on acceptable terms. If the Company is unsuccessful in its efforts, its ability to continue to grow could be adversely affected.

 

The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions. Domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. The Company’s effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the mix among earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation allowance of deferred tax assets or tax laws. The amount of income taxes and other taxes paid are subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities and

bynon-U.S. authorities.If these audits result in assessments different from amounts recorded, future financial results may include unfavorable tax adjustments.

 

The Company’s businesses expose it to potential toxic tort and other types of product liability claims that are inherent in the design, manufacture and sale of its products and the products of third-party vendors that it uses or resells. The Company currently maintains what it believes to be suitable and adequate insurance programs consisting of self-insurance up to a certain limit and excess insurance coverage for claims over the established limit. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to obtain insurance on acceptable terms or that its insurance programs will provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. Even if it maintains adequate insurance programs, successful claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity and results of operations and on the ability to obtain suitable or adequate insurance in the future.

 

None.

 

As of December 31, 2007, the Company operated the following plants and office facilities, excluding regional sales offices and warehouse facilities:

 

 

The principal plants outside of the U.S. are in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

 

The Company’s properties are primarily of steel, brick or concrete construction and are maintained in good operating condition. Productive capacity, in general, currently exceeds operating levels. Capacity levels are somewhat flexible based on the number of shifts operated and on the number of overtime hours worked. The Company adds productive capacity from time to time as required by increased demand. Additions to capacity can be made within a reasonable period of time due to the nature of the businesses.

 

Not applicable.

 

Not applicable.

 

Market information, holders of record, dividend data and the performance graph is incorporated by reference to page 73 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

On August 4, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program, which provides for the buyback of up to 35,000,000 shares of common stock. This stock repurchase program was completed in November 2007.

 

On August 20, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program, which provides for the buyback of up to $3.0 billion of the Company’s common stock over an open-ended period of time.

 

Share repurchase activity under these programs for the fourth quarter was as follows:

 

 

 

Certain reclassifications of prior years’ data have been made to conform with current year reporting.

 

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff PositionNo. FAS 13-2,Accounting for a Change or Projected Change in the Timing of Cash Flows Relating to Income Taxes Generated by a Leveraged Lease Transaction(“FSP 13-2”).FSP 13-2addresses how a change or projected change in the timing of cash flows relating to income taxes generated by a leveraged lease transaction affects the accounting by a lessor for that lease. Refer to page 59 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders for discussion of the change in accounting principle.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R) (“SFAS 158”). On December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS 158. This statement requires employers to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit pension and postretirement plans as an asset or liability

in its statement of financial position and previously unrecognized changes in that funded status through accumulated other comprehensive income. Refer to pages 62 through 65 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders for discussion of the effect of the change in accounting principle.

 

Effective January 1, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”), which requires the Company to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for equity awards based on the grant date fair value. Upon adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company records compensation expense for the fair value of stock awards over the remaining service periods of those awards.

 

Information on the comparability of results is included in pages 30 through 47 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from pages 30 through 47 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from pages 45 and 46 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.

 

The Company’s financial statements and report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated February 27, 2008, as found on pages 49 through 72 and the supplementary data as found on page 73 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders, are incorporated by reference. The unaudited interim financial statements included as supplementary data reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange ActRule 13a-15(e))as of December 31, 2007. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2007, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

The Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, as found on page 48 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders, is incorporated by reference.

 

The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as found on page 49 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders, is incorporated by reference.

 

In connection with the evaluation by management, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange ActRule 13a-15(f))during the quarter ended December 31, 2007 were identified that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Not applicable.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Information regarding the Directors of the Company is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Election of Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Information regarding the Audit Committee and its Financial Experts is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Board of Directors and Its Committees” and “Audit Committee Report” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Information regarding the Executive Officers of the Company can be found in Part I of this Annual Report onForm 10-Kon page 8.

 

Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Information regarding the Company’s code of ethics that applies to the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and key financial and accounting personnel is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation Committee Report” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Ownership of ITW Stock” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Ownership of ITW Stock,” “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Information regarding director independence is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” and “Categorical Standards for Director Independence” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Public Accountants” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

 

 

The financial statements and report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated February 27, 2008 as found on pages 49 through 72 and the supplementary data as found on page 73 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders, are incorporated by reference.

 

Not applicable.

 

(i)  See the Exhibit Index on pages 17 and 18 of thisForm 10-K.

 

(ii) Pursuant toRegulation S-K,Item 601(b)(4)(iii), the Company has not filed with Exhibit 4 any debt instruments for which the total amount of securities authorized thereunder is less than 10% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of December 31, 2007, with the exception of the agreements related to the 53/4% Notes and the indenture related to the 67/8% Notes which are filed with Exhibit 4. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of the agreements related to the debt instruments which have not been filed with Exhibit 4 to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 27th day of February 2008.

 

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on this 27th day of February 2008.

 

Original powers of attorney authorizing David B. Speer to sign the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-Kand amendments thereto on behalf of the above-named directors of the registrant have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Annual Report onForm 10-K(Exhibit 24).