Illinois Tool Works Inc. has announced its acquisition of Instron Corp., a supplier of instruments, software and services for the testing of materials and structures. Based in Norwood, Massachusetts, Instron has manufacturing facilities and technical centers in 13 countries throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Its revenues are projected to be approximately $240 million in 2005. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Instron was founded in 1946 and was taken private through a sale to Kirtland Capital Partners in 1999.

ITW is a manufacturer of highly engineered components and industrial systems. It has revenues that total $11.7 billion, operates approximately 650 decentralized operations in 45 countries and employs 49,000 people.

For more information, visit www.itw.com.

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