FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2007

ITW INDUSTRIAL FASTENING ACQUIRES JOSEF KIHLBERG AB

            ELGIN, Ill. –December 2007—ITW Industrial Fastening announces the acquisition of Swedish-based company Josef Kihlberg AB. This world leader in the industrial stapling and transportation packaging industry is now part of the ITW Industrial Fastening group of companies, increasing ITW’s collection of innovative solutions for the industrial packaging market.

            The acquisition was announced by Bruce Jacobs, General Manager of ITW Industrial Fastening. “The combination of Josef Kihlberg’s tireless, first-rate tools and packaging versatility options, which serves the needs of high demand, speed packaging environments, is a natural fit for the ITW business strategy,” said Jacobs.

            With over 60 years of stapling experience, the Josef Kihlberg range of products includes pneumatic top staplers, bottom staplers and pliers as well as similar manually-operated tools. Options are also available for specialized packaging such as trays, lids and flat sheet materials, servicing a wide range of industrial stapling needs. The Josef Kihlberg company grew out of humble beginnings as a hardware store in Sweden more than 160 years ago. The industry’s requirement for secure closing at low cost is the basis for its broad packaging range. The line of ergonomically designed tools designed for maximum efficiency and minimum strain makes for more productive and safer employees, while accurate staple placement saves time and materials.   

            ITW INDUSTRIAL FASTENING, Inc. is a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and is the proud owner and manufacturer of DUO-FAST® and PASLODE® brands.  With over 50,000 employees worldwide, ITW’s dynamic organization delivers top quality, innovative products and service.  ITW Industrial Fastening is headquartered in Elgin, IL, and has more than 450 distributors and dealers nationwide.  As the leader in wood-to-wood fastening systems, ITW Industrial Fastening focuses on providing fastening solutions for customers in the cabinetry, flooring/carpet, truss, millwork and furniture markets.  ITW’s commercial innovation culture creates value-added solutions to meet specific customer needs.

For additional information, visit www.itwindfast.com or contact:

Neil Brown                    

630.579.8383                                                             

neilb@fusionb2b.com               

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