ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS ACQUIRES STOKVIS TAPE GROUP

Founded in 1956, the Stokvis Tape Group is a single-source supplier of plain, printed or laminated roll tapes and foams and adhesive die-cut components, sheets or laminates.  With 26 facilities in 22 countries, Stokvis uses advanced equipment (including CAD plotters and laser cutting systems for rapid prototyping) to convert tapes, foils and foams into a multitude of formats and shapes.  Services include precision rotary and flatbed die cutting, tape slitting, spool and level winding, single- and double-sided coating and laminating and flexographic printing.

Markets served by the company include aerospace, automotive, building/construction, electronic/electrical, medical, metal producing, paper/graphics, plastics and telecommunications.  For critical medical, electronic and telecommunications applications that require dust-free products, Stokvis operates cleanroom production facilities in five countries.  A technical support center tests tapes for specific applications.

Commented Wim Noorlander, Chief Executive Officer of Stokvis, "We are pleased to become part of ITW.  We have always been specialists in customized adhesive components for demanding applications, but now we can supply these products on a truly global basis.  And with our entire management team staying on, Stokvis will continue to provide our customers with the exceptional responsiveness, quality and service they have come to expect."

Sevan Demirdogen, head of the ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids acquisition team noted, "With the addition of Stokvis Tapes, along with last year's acquisition of M&C Specialties Co., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids is emerging as a key supplier in the worldwide die-cut adhesives and tapes market."