ITW Aiming Higher in Acquisitions
ITW Aiming Higher in Acquisitions
John Wolz
MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
Private equity firms have dominated the over $50 million acquisition market in recent years, but Illinois Tools Works Inc. may be ready for some of the big deals, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.
“After feasting on pint-sized acquisitions, ” Crain’s reporter Bob Tita wrote, “CEO David Speer is ready to sink his teeth into bigger deals.”
Private equity firms bid up acquisitions using highly-leveraged buyouts. “But the credit meltdown has pushed private-equity players to the sidelines, reducing competition and making potential deals cheaper,” Tita explained.
Most of ITW’s 273 acquisitions in the past decade have been under $50 million. Purchases at several hundred million in “higher-growth industries like energy or aerospace would help ITW offset stagnating revenue gains in core businesses serving the automotive and construction industries, both mired in severe slumps as the economy slows,” Tita analyzed.
Automotive and construction accounts for about 40% of ITW’s estimated $16.2 billion 2007 revenue. ITW had $1.43 billion cash on hand at the end of the third quarter,” Crain’s reported.
“We’re looking for bigger acquisitions,” CFO Ron Kropp told analysts in November 2007. “Acquisitions are the biggest priority for our cash flow.”
ITW stock has averaged a 12% gain for the past five years.
According to the FIN 2007 Review of Fastener Stocks, ITW is a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered components and industrial systems. The company consists of 750 operations in 49 countries, including more than 160 in North America.
Founded in 1912, ITW first manufactured cutting tools at a small plant in Chicago. ITW entered the fastener business in 1923 using a patent on a twisted-tooth lockwasher to start Shakeproof Company. Today ITW manufactures highly engineered fasteners and industrial components and specialty products primarily for the auto, food and construction industries. Fastener brand names include Buildex, Fastex, Ramset/Red Head and Shakeproof. Fasteners contribute about 38% of overall sales. Web: itw.com
Editors Note: Articles in Media Spotlight are excerpts from publications or broadcasts that show the industry what the public is reading or hearing about fasteners and fastener companies. �2008 FastenerNews.com
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