Summer 11
ITW Warehouse Automation Launched at Interpack in Dusseldorf
Winter 10
Innovative warehouse solutions continue to make storage an easy process
Acquisition creates a new worldwide manufacturing powerhouse.
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW), parent company of Hartness International, announced this week that it has acquired Vertique, a leading global producer of automated warehouse solutions.
Headquartered near Asheville, North Carolina, Vertique specializes in "mixed case" picking and palletization and has many successful installations throughout the United States. Vertique is widely recognized as the market leader in its field.
Vertique will be a business unit of ITW and will become part of the company's existing
consumer packaging businesses, operating as Vertique. The
acquisition culminates a successful commercial partnership between Vertique and Hartness
International.
"By adding Vertique to ITW's growing warehouse automation platform, we are strengthening a rapidly growing business segment," said Tim Gardner, executive vice president of ITW. "Additionally, Vertique's existing partnership with Hartness and presence within the food and beverage industry makes this a very complementary acquisition for ITW."
Through its decentralized business strategy, ITW provides a framework for growth for the companies it acquires while often leaving the operations where they are based. ITW's acquisition of Vertique means the NC‐based company will work jointly with Hartness International.
"We know that our clients around the world are evaluating efficiencies and cost‐savings
throughout the supply chain," says Hartness President, Bern McPheely. "This acquisition is
consistent with our on‐going strategy to be a market‐driven company and to provide end of line
solutions to our clients. We will continue to look for opportunities to provide world class
solutions throughout the supply chain."
With $13.9 billion in 2009 revenues, ITW is a multi‐national manufacturer of a diversified range of value‐adding and short‐lead time industrial products and equipment. The Company consists of approximately 800 business units in 57 countries and employs approximately 59,000 people. Hartness International has been a member of the ITW family of companies since 2009.
Winter 10
The installation and implementation of an automated picking system in Charlotte has brought costs down about 40 percent.
Spring 10
HartnessVertique automatic sorter centerpiece of new facility
Winter 10 Eliminating inefficiencies through automation
2009Warehouse technology provides safe & efficient movement of products
Summer 09Picking system improves warehouse efficiencies and ROI