Posted August 9, 2011
ITW merges fastener divisions
Illinois Tool Works announced the integration of two of its Midwest industrial fastener divisions.
ITW Bee Leitzke and ITW Shakeproof, which operate five facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin, have integrated into a single entity called the ITW Shakeproof Group.
"These two divisions have a long and rich history in their respective markets. While they have operated as separate brand entities, over time they have serviced similar markets, manufactured similar industrial products, and shared customers," said Phil Johnson, general manager of ITW Shakeproof Group.
The newly formed Shakeproof Group's long term goal is to enable customers to contact one facility for the Bee Leitzke, Mellows and Shakeproof Stampings product lines.
"With Bee Leitzke and Shakeproof sharing common markets like agriculture, heavy truck and equipment, pole line, outdoor power equipment, appliance, and railroad, it seemed natural for us to bring the two businesses together. We are excited about working towards arming customers with the ability to have one direct contact for the complete off the shelf standard product side of our business," Johnson added. Shakeproof Alpine, a custom threaded screw manufacturer, will continue to operate individually within the Shakeproof Group.
Shakeproof's history dates back to 1923 when ITW launched it as the first line of manufactured products from its tool making business. Shakeproof invented a wide variety of stampings for machinery that resisted vibration and loosening. In 1991, ITW purchased the Mellowes helical lock washer facility in Milwaukee to complement the stamping products business.
Similarly, ITW Bee Leitzke was established in 1929, manufacturing a variety of cotter, clevis and hitch pins for industrial markets. ITW purchased Bee in 1996 and the current company resulted from the merger of three fastener manufacturers: Medalist/Rein Leitzke, Bee Industries, and Hobbs Fasteners. Bee Leitzke's manufacturing facility is located in Watertown, Wis., and the warehousing and administration office is located in Iron Ridge, Wis.
