Illinois Tool Works Inc. or ITW is an American Fortune 250 company that produces engineered fasteners and components, equipment and consumable systems, and specialty products. Today, it employs approximately 48,000 people in hundreds of businesses across 55 countries,and is based in Glenview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The company’s seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. Mission statement: The ITW APPLIANCE GROUP is part of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and is composed of five divisions groups: ITW Fastex Italy, ITW Fastex USA, ITW Ispracontrols Italy, ITW Appliance Brasil, ITW Metalflex (Slovenija), and Ark-les (USA, Mexico and China). Each one, contributing with its own expertise, creates a unique group delivering innovative solutions to appliance manufacturers with emphasis on cooking, dishwashing, laundry, and refrigeration products. The group offers a global presence with R&D, production, distribution, and sales/customer service centers located in strategic regions. With this structure we are able to act locally but with a global vision, actively practicing lasting teamwork with customers and suppliers.