Harris Williams & Co. Advises Slime in its Sale to ITW

RICHMOND, Va.--(Business Wire)--
Harris Williams & Co. announces that Accessories Marketing, Inc (d/b/a Slime), a
portfolio company of Friend Skoler & Co., Inc. (FSC), has been acquired by
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW, NYSE: ITW). The transaction closed on April 1,
2010. Harris Williams & Co. acted as the exclusive advisor to Slime. The
transaction was led by Pat Crocker, Craig Lawson and Eric Reimers from the
firm`s San Francisco office, and John Neuner and Jershon Jones from the firm`s
Richmond office.

"Slime is a brand that has resonated with automotive and outdoor recreation
consumers for two decades," said Mr. Crocker. "This transaction will allow Slime
to utilize the global presence and resources of ITW to continue expanding
Slime`s position as the leader in tire care solutions."

Slime, headquartered in Grover Beach, CA, is the leading manufacturer and
marketer of Slime branded products and accessories for the tire care solutions
market. Slime`s products include its flagship green Slime tire sealants, as well
as a complete line of tire care products and accessories that include portable
air compressors, tire gauges, flat tire repair kits, self-healing tire tubes and
numerous other tire care accessories. Since its founding in 1990, Slime has
emerged as the most dynamic and trusted brand in the industry, earning a clear
leadership position in the flat tire prevention and repair category.

FSC, headquartered in Saddle Brook, NJ, is a private equity firm that invests in
leading middle market companies. The firm typically invests between $10 million
and $40 million of equity per transaction and manages Friend Skoler Equity
Investors, L.P., a private equity fund with $231 million of capital commitments.
A key element of the fund`s strategy is to leverage the firm`s extensive
experience as investors in and operators of middle market companies.

With $13.9 billion in 2009 revenues, ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a
diversified range of value-adding industrial products and equipment. The company
consists of approximately 840 business units in 57 countries and employs
approximately 59,000 people.

Harris Williams & Co. (www.harriswilliams.com), a member of The PNC Financial
Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:PNC), is the premier middle market advisor with a two
decade legacy of sell side excellence serving clients worldwide. The firm is
focused exclusively on the middle market providing sell side and acquisition
advisory, restructuring advisory, board advisory, private placements and capital
markets advisory services.

Investment banking services are provided by Harris Williams LLC, a registered
broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Harris Williams & Co. Ltd, an
Appointed Representative of Sturgeon Ventures LLP, which is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Harris Williams & Co. is a trade
name under which Harris Williams LLC and Harris Williams & Co. Ltd conduct
business in the U.S. and Europe, respectively.

For general release inquiries, please contact Kimberly Baker, marketing
director, at +1 (804) 648-0072.

Harris Williams & Co.
Kimberly Baker
Marketing Director
+1 804-648-0072

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