Those plastic things that hold six-packs of soda and beer together? They were invented by Illinois Tool Works Inc., a manufacturer of engineered components and industrial products based in Glenview, Ill., outside Chicago. Ranked the 149th largest U.S. corporation by Fortune magazine in August, ITW “makes everything from plastic six-pack carriers to counter tops, construction power tools and automotive parts,” according to general counsel Maria Green. The company also has a hand in truck remanufacturing and medical adhesives. It posted revenue of $17.8 billion in 2011 and employs 65,000 people in 58 countries.
ITW bulked up during the recession, Green said, acquiring 22 companies in 2009 alone. Last year, the company closed on a deal to acquire the car care business of Shell Oil Products U.S. Co. The products include Black Magic wax and Gumout fuel system cleaner. Green said the purchase price was in excess of $100 million.
