ITW is a Fortune 500 company that produces engineered fasteners and components, equipment and consumable systems, and specialty products. It was founded in 1912 by Byron L. Smith.

Today, it employs nearly 55,000 people in 750 business units, and is based in Glenview, Cook County, Illinois, with operations in 49 countries, with profits of $1.7bn on revenues of $14bn in 2006.

In 2007, ITW had more than 20,000 unexpired patents and pending patent applications worldwide, including 2,900 U.S. patents and 1,116 pending U.S. applications. The company typically ranks in the top 100 of patent issuers in the U.S.

As of December, 2007, David Speer is chairman & CEO of ITW.

view detail: Illinois Tool Works