ITW Reports 16.6 Percent Growth in Operating Revenues for Three Months Ended November 30, 2007

Acquisition Revenues Increased 9.8 Percent and Base Revenues Grew 2.5 Percent For The Three Month Period; Company Lowers Earnings Forecast Range to $0.82 - $0.86

GLENVIEW, Ill., Dec. 17 -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. today reported an operating revenue increase of 16.6 percent for the three months ended November 30, 2007. Operating revenues for the three month period consisted of a 9.8 percent increase from acquisitions net of divestitures, 2.5 percent growth from base revenues and a 4.3 percent contribution from translation and other items. The Company's strong acquisition pace over the past 12 months resulted in the continuing growth in acquisition revenues. Base revenues benefited from ongoing strength in a broad array of international end markets. International base revenues increased 5.0 percent while North American base revenues grew less than one percent in the three month period.

On a manufacturing segment basis, the Company's three month moving average percentage change for operating revenues, comprised of base revenues and acquisitions net of divestitures, is provided below.

    (% change for 3 months ended November 30, 2007 versus prior year period)

    *Engineered Products/North America:        +   2.2%
    *Engineered Products/International:        +  26.4%
    *Specialty Systems/North America:          +   7.7%
    *Specialty Systems/International:          +  16.2%

During the past three months, the Company has seen continuing weakness in North American end markets and as a result lower than expected base revenues and operating margins. In addition, as expected, acquisitions have continued to be dilutive to margins. As a result, the Company is lowering its forecasted earnings range to $0.82 to $0.86 in the 2007 fourth quarter and $3.32 to $3.36 for the full-year. The Company now expects base revenues to be in a range of 2.0 percent to 2.8 percent for the fourth quarter. The midpoints of these 2007 forecasted ranges would represent earnings growth of 9 percent for the fourth quarter and 11 percent for the full-year.

The statements regarding the Company's 2007 fourth quarter and full-year forecasts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are set forth in ITW's Form 10-Q for the 2007 third quarter.

ITW is a $14.1 billion in revenues diversified manufacturer of highly engineered components and industrial systems and consumables. The company consists of approximately 750 business units in 49 countries and employs some 55,000 people.