April 19, 2007

Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL, reported sales increased 14% in the first quarter 2007, and profit went up 10%. Revenue was $3.76 billion.
&nbsp ;
The increase came from strong results in international end markets tempered by slowing growth in a number of North American end markets. Total company base revenues grew 1%, with international base revenues increasing 8.9% and North American revenues declining 3.5%. Acquisitions added 10.7% to first-quarter revenues.
&nbsp ;
North American Engineered Products first quarter revenues were slightly negative as base revenues declined 6.5% and acquisitions added 6.7%. Base revenues declined principally as a result of end market weakness in the residential construction and Detroit 3 automotive markets as well as a slowing across …