ITW to Begin Strategic Review of Industrial Packaging Unit

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

today announced that it is initiating a review process to explore strategic alternatives for its Industrial Packaging segment.  The Industrial Packaging segment designs and manufactures steel, plastic, and paper products used for bundling, shipping, and protecting transported goods.  The segment includes such well known brands as Signode, Strapex, Angleboard and Mima among others and had 2012 revenues of approximately $2.4 billion. "As part of the execution of ITW's enterprise strategy and portfolio management initiative, we are starting a process to explore strategic options for our Industrial Packaging segment, which may include a sale or spin-off of the business," said E. Scott Santi, president and chief executive officer. "We expect the review process will last through the remainder of 2013." To assist the company in evaluating its strategic alternatives, ITW has retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. as its financial advisers.