Industry Leaders Join Forces

We hope that the first half of 2010 has been good for you. Things in Greenville continue to be exciting. As many of you know, Hartness has had an ongoing commercial partnership with Vertique, a leading global producer of automated warehouse solutions. Based in Arden, North Carolina, near Asheville, Vertique specializes in "mixed case" picking and palletization and has many successful installations throughout the United States.

Last week, our parent company, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), announced that we have acquired Vertique. Vertique will be a business unit of ITW and will become part of the company's existing consumer packaging businesses, operating as Hartness Vertique Warehouse Automation.

Hartness International has been active in both food and beverage warehouse automation through its robotics division for several years. Over the past year, the ensuing partnership with Vertique allowed both companies a stronger presence in the beverage industry, Vertique’s core customer base. Our new closer relationship means that we will work together to offer world class warehouse and distribution solutions for not only the food and beverage industry, but other market segments as well.

Many of you have told us that you are evaluating efficiencies and cost-savings throughout the supply chain. We believe that warehouse automation is and will continue to be a focus for many of you. This acquisition is consistent with our on-going strategy to be a market-driven company and to provide end of line solutions to our global client base. We will continue to look for opportunities to provide world class solutions throughout the supply chain.