Our Company

ITW: A Century of Innovation and Excellence

Founded in 1912 by Chicago financier Byron Smith, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has grown from a small group of inventors into a global leader in the manufacturing of specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related services. Today, ITW operates in 57 countries, employing over 48,000 individuals who adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Our broad portfolio boasts more than 16,000 granted and pending patents, a testament toour global leadership in innovation.

ITW's innovations have transformed industries

At the heart of ITW's success is our unique business model, characterized by our proprietary 80/20 business process, customer-back innovation, anda decentralized entrepreneurial culture.Our 80/20 business process has been integral to our success, focusing our efforts on the 20% of customers that generate 80% of revenues. This approach allows us to serve our key customers efficiently and effectively, despite our size and global scale.

Our commitment to customer-back innovation dates back to our very first products. We have a long history of solving complex manufacturing problems with highly specialized, often simple yet ingenious, products. Many of ITW's innovations have transformed industries and created entirely new product categories.

We are fast, flexible and focused

Our decentralized, entrepreneurial culture is another cornerstone of ITW.Our businesses operate independently within the ITW framework, often under their own brand names. This approach ensures we continue to think and act like a much smaller company—fast, flexible, and focused.

With a diversified business portfolio and product offerings across a mix of high-growth industries, ITW is well-positioned to weather economic fluctuations, letting strengths in one area offset weaknesses in another.In conclusion, ITW is more than a company; it's a global community of innovative and ethical individuals committed to creating value for our customers.