Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
Chairman of the Executive Committee
Harold B. Smith is Chairman of the Executive Committee of Illinois Tool Works. Having been with the company since 1954, Mr. Smith was President of the company from 1972-1981, prior to serving as Chairman since 1982.
Mr. Smith has served as Director of W.W. Grainger, Inc. since 1981 and Director of Northern Trust Corporation since 1980. He is also a trustee of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Boys & Girls Club of America, Northwestern University, The Newberry Library, Rush- Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Adler Planetarium. He is a member of the Chicago Club, Economic Club, Northwestern Club of Chicago, Commonwealth Club, and Princeton Club of Chicago.
He received a B.S.E. from Princeton University and an M.B.A.
from Northwestern University.
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (NYSE:ITW) designs and produces an array of highly engineered fasteners and components, equipment and consumable systems, and specialty products and equipment for customers around the world. A Fortune 200 diversified manufacturing company with more than 90 years of history, ITW's approximately 600 decentralized business units in 43 countries employ nearly 52,000 men and women who are focused on creating value-added products and innovative customer solutions.
Founded in 1912, ITW’s recipe for success has been consistent: value added products and outstanding service win the day with customers. ITW places a high premium on the development of highly engineered products and systems – most of which are developed in tandem with the customers.
Proof of ITW’s highly innovative culture is seen in the company’s patent activities. In 2001, ITW had more than 17,000 unexpired patents and pending patent applications worldwide, including 3,000 U.S. patents and 1,200 pending U.S. applications. ITW annually ranks in the top 100 of patent issuers in the U.S.