DEF 14A

Annual Advisory Approval of Executive Compensation

Stockholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Proxy Access

Simple Majority Vote to Amend Charter and By-Laws

Exclusive Venue Requirement

DEF 14A 1 d491986ddef14a.htm DEF 14A DEF 14A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:


☐	Preliminary Proxy Statement

☐	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☒	Definitive Proxy Statement

☐	Definitive Additional Materials

☐	Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒	No fee required.

☐	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

	1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

	2)	Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

	3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

	4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

	5)	Total fee paid:




☐	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

☐	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

	1)	Amount Previously Paid:

	2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

	3)	Filing Party:

	4)	Date Filed:


		Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
SEC 1913 (11-01)

LOGO

Illinois Tool Works Inc. ITW Notice of 2018 Annual Meeting And Proxy Statement

LOGO

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

TIME AND DATE

Friday, May 4, 2018

10:00 A.M. Central Time

LOCATION

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

155 Harlem Avenue*

Glenview, Illinois 60025

ITEMS

OF BUSINESS

1.	To elect the eleven directors named in this proxy statement for the upcoming year;

2.	To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018;

3.	To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation;

4.	To consider a non-binding stockholder proposal to change the ownership threshold to call special stockholder meetings, if properly presented;

5.	To consider a non-binding stockholder proposal to set Company-wide greenhouse gas emissions targets, if properly presented; and

6.	To conduct any other business as may be properly brought before the meeting.

RECORD DATE

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2018 are entitled to vote.

ANNUAL REPORT

Our annual report to stockholders for fiscal year 2017 is enclosed with this proxy statement.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Norman D. Finch Jr.

Secretary

March 23, 2018

If you plan to attend the meeting, you must be a holder of Illinois Tool Works Inc. shares as of the record date of March 6, 2018, and obtain a registration confirmation (“Ticket”) in advance. Tickets can be printed by accessing Shareholder Meeting Registration at www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions provided. You will need the 16-digit number that is printed in the box marked by the arrow à included on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Tickets will be available to registered and beneficial owners and to one guest accompanying each registered and beneficial owner. You must bring your ticket to the meeting to gain access. Requests for admission tickets will be processed in the order in which they are received. Please note that seating is limited and requests for tickets will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

*Enter the campus from 150 Waukegan Road at Overlook Drive. Signage will direct you to the meeting location.

Your Vote is Important

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please vote as soon as possible. Under New York Stock Exchange rules, your broker will NOT be able to vote your shares on Proposals 1, 3, 4 or 5 unless they receive specific instructions from you. If you hold your shares through a bank or brokerage account, we strongly encourage you to return the voting instruction card to your bank, broker or other holder of record so that your vote is counted.

We encourage you to vote by internet or telephone. It is convenient for you and saves us significant postage and processing costs. Please see the section entitled “How do I vote?” under “Other Information — Voting Information” for instructions on how to vote your shares.

Avoid escheatment. We have been advised that some states are strictly enforcing unclaimed property laws and requiring shares held in “inactive” accounts to be escheated to the state in which the stockholder was last known to reside. One way you can show that your account is active is to vote your shares.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 4, 2018: The Illinois Tool Works Inc. 2017 Annual Report to Stockholders, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and its 2018 Proxy Statement are available on the Company’s website at www.itw.com under the “Investor Relations” link. Paper copies are available without charge upon written request to the Company’s address above, Attention: Secretary.

Table of Contents


Corporate Governance Highlights		1
Board Composition		1
Other Governance Information		1
Director Nominees		2

Proposal 1 – Election of Directors		3
Board of Directors and Its Committees		9
Corporate Governance Policies and Practices		12
Shareholder Engagement		15
Director Compensation		16
Ownership of ITW Stock		18
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance		21
Availability of Form 10-K and Annual Report		21

Compensation Discussion and Analysis		22
Executive Overview		22
Executive Compensation Highlights		26
How We Make Compensation Decisions		29
Components of the 2017 Executive Compensation Program		32
Executive Compensation Policies and Guidelines		36

NEO Compensation		38
Summary Compensation Table		38
Grants of Plan-Based Awards		40
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2017		41
Option Exercises and Stock Vested		42
Pension Benefits		42
ITW Retirement Plans		43
Potential Payments upon Termination		46
Summary of Termination and Change-in-Control Programs		48
Termination and Change-in-Control Payments and Benefits		49
Compensation Committee Report		51
Equity Compensation Plan Information		52
Pay Ratio		52

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions		54

Audit Committee Report		55

Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		57

Proposal 3 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation		59

Proposal 4 – Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal to Change the Ownership Threshold to Call Special Stockholder Meetings		60

Proposal 5 – Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal to Set Company-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets		63

Other Information		66
Voting Information		66
Submitting Proxy Proposals and Director Nominations for the 2019 Annual Meeting		69

Appendix A – Categorical Standards for Director Independence		A-1

Appendix B – GAAP to NON-GAAP Reconciliations		B-1

Corporate Governance Highlights

Board Composition

Other Governance Information

Board and Other Governance Information


Annual Election of All Directors	Yes	Annual Independent Director Evaluation of Chairman and CEO	Yes
Majority Voting for Directors with Director Resignation Policy	Yes	Mandatory Retirement Age	Yes
Number of Independent Directors Standing for Election	10	Risk Oversight by Full Board and Committees	Yes
Total Number of Director Nominees	11	Shareholder Engagement Program	Yes
Average Age of Directors Standing for Election	60.4	Stock Ownership Requirements for Executives and Directors	Yes
Lead Independent Director	Yes	Anti-Hedging, Anti-Short-Sale and Anti-Pledging Policies	Yes
Regular Executive Sessions of Independent Directors	Yes	Compensation Recovery/Clawback Policy	Yes
Annual Board and Committee Self-Evaluations	Yes	Principles of Conduct for Members of the Board of Directors	Yes
		Poison Pill	No

Shareholder Rights and Accountability

Director Nominees

ITW Committees

Director Nominee

Age

Director

Since

Number

of Other

Public

Boards

Attendance

Daniel J. Brutto

Independent

2012

One

100%

Susan Crown

Independent

1994

One

83%

James W. Griffith

Independent

2012

One

100%

Jay L. Henderson

Independent

2016

Two

100%

Richard H. Lenny

Independent

2014

Three

100%

E. Scott Santi

Chairman of the Board and CEO
Illinois Tool Works Inc.

2012

One

100%

James A. Skinner

Independent Lead Director

2005

One

100%

David B. Smith, Jr.

Independent

2009

One

100%

Pamela B. Strobel

Independent

2008

One

100%

Kevin M. Warren

Independent

2010

None

100%

Anré D. Williams

Independent

2010

None

100%

A: Audit F: Finance E: Executive CH: Chair M: Member

C: Compensation G: Corporate Governance & Nominating

Proposal 1 - Election of Directors

Stockholders are being asked to elect the eleven directors named in this proxy statement at our Annual Meeting. The individuals listed below have been nominated by the Board of Directors as recommended by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. See “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” for more information regarding our candidate selection process. Each director will serve until the May 2019 Annual Meeting, until a qualified successor director has been elected, or until he or she resigns or is removed.

We will vote your shares as you specify on the proxy card, by telephone, by Internet or by mail. If you do not specify how you want your shares voted, we will vote them “FOR” the election of all the nominees listed below. If unforeseen circumstances (such as death or disability) make it necessary for the Board of Directors to substitute another person for any of the nominees, we will vote your shares “FOR” that other person. The Board of Directors does not anticipate that any nominee will be unable to serve.

Each nominee for director brings a strong and unique background and set of skills to the Board, giving the Board as a whole competence and experience in a variety of areas. Set forth below is biographical information provided by the nominees, as well as a description of the experiences, qualifications, skills and attributes that led the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board to conclude that each nominee should serve as a director of the Company.

LOGO

Daniel J. Brutto

Retired President of

UPS International

and Senior Vice

President of United

Parcel Service, Inc.

Director since: 2012

Age: 61

Mr. Brutto retired as President of UPS International and Senior Vice President of United Parcel Service, Inc., a global package delivery, supply chain management and freight forwarding company, in 2013, having served in these capacities for six years. From 2016 to 2017, he served as Executive Chairman of Radial, Inc., a global fulfillment, customer care and omnichannel technology company, from 2015 to 2016 he served as Vice Chairman of eBay Enterprise/Innotrac, the predecessor business to Radial, and prior to 2015 he served as a director of Innotrac. Prior to his retirement from UPS, he served as President, Global Freight Forwarding, for UPS from 2006 to 2007, and corporate controller from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Brutto had over 38 years of experience at UPS, serving in various areas with increasing levels of responsibility, including operations, finance, information systems, mergers & acquisitions, marketing, business development and international. He has served as a director of ITW since 2012 and currently serves as a director of Sysco Corporation. He has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. In the past, Mr. Brutto served on the board of the US-China Business Council, the Guangdong Economic Council, and the Turkey Economic Advisory Council. He was also a delegate to the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, from 2009 to 2013.

Skills and Qualifications:

Mr. Brutto’s significant strategic, operational, and financial leadership experience with a major global company, including the establishment of operations in 35 countries, along with his significant international business experience, bring valuable perspectives to our Board.


Susan Crown Chairman & CEO of Owl Creek Partners, LLC Director since: 1994 Age: 59		Ms. Crown has served as Chairman and CEO of Owl Creek Partners, LLC, a private equity firm, since 2008. She is also the founder of Susan Crown Exchange Inc., a social investment organization. She served two terms as a Fellow of the Yale Corporation, and is currently a Vice Chair of Rush University Medical Center and a director of CARE USA. From 1984 to 2015, Ms. Crown served as Vice President of Henry Crown and Company, a business with diversified investments. She has served as a director of ITW since 1994 and currently serves as a director of Northern Trust Corporation. She has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. Ms. Crown’s experience includes executive experience in diversified manufacturing, cellular phone, home furnishings and real estate businesses. Skills and Qualifications: Ms. Crown’s long-standing board service at a global banking and financial institution and her extensive board service with many civic and not-for-profit organizations bring valuable perspectives to our Board.

James W. Griffith Retired President & Chief Executive Officer of The Timken Company Director since: 2012 Age: 64		Mr. Griffith retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Timken Company, a manufacturer of bearings, alloy and specialty steels and components, having served in that capacity from 2002 to 2014. Previously, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Griffith joined Timken in 1984, and held positions in various functional areas of Timken with increasing levels of responsibility, including purchasing and logistics, manufacturing and international operations. From 1996 to 1999, he led Timken’s automotive business in North America and Timken’s bearing business activities in Asia and Latin America. Prior to joining Timken, he held production and engineering positions at Martin Marietta, Bunker Hill Company and Homestake Mining Company. Mr. Griffith is currently a director of AB Volvo, a commercial transport solutions company, and has served as a director of ITW since 2012. He previously served as a director of The Timken Company and Goodrich Corporation. He has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. He also previously served as a director of the US-China Business Council and a number of other industry and not-for-profit organizations. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Griffith’s extensive experience as Chief Executive Officer of a global industrial manufacturer, along with his international business and engineering experience, bring valuable perspectives to our Board.


Jay L. Henderson Retired Vice Chairman, Client Service PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Director since: 2016 Age: 62		Mr. Henderson retired as Vice Chairman, Client Service of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), a global professional services firm, in June 2016, having served in that capacity since 2007. Previously, he served as PwC’s Greater Chicago Market Managing Partner from 2003 to 2013 and Managing Partner of the Cleveland Office from 1993 to 2002. During his career at PwC, Mr. Henderson gained significant experience working with the boards and audit committees of Fortune 500 companies and has managed major client relationships across multiple markets and industry sectors. Mr. Henderson has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1977. He was elected to the Board of ITW in August 2016 and currently serves as a director of The J.M. Smucker Company, where he serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Northern Trust Corporation. He has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. Mr. Henderson also has significant expertise as a participating board member of a number of professional, civic and not-for-profit organizations. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Henderson’s extensive experience in managing and overseeing businesses, working with the boards and audit committees of large public companies, as well as his leadership roles at a major professional services firm, bring valuable perspectives to our Board.

Richard H. Lenny Non-Executive Chairman of Information Resources, Inc. Director since: 2014 Age: 66		Mr. Lenny has served as non-executive Chairman of Information Resources, Inc., a privately held producer of market and shopper information, since 2013. He served as an operating partner with Friedman Fleischer & Lowe LLC, a private equity firm, from 2011 to August 2014, at which time he became a senior advisor until July 2016. From 2001 through 2007 he served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hershey Company, a manufacturer, distributor and marketer of candy, snacks and candy-related grocery products. From 1998 to 2000, he served as President, Nabisco Biscuit Company, and prior thereto he was President of Pillsbury, North America. He has served as a director of ITW since 2014 and currently serves as a director of Discover Financial Services, Conagra Brands, Inc. and McDonald’s Corporation. He has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Lenny’s experience as Chief Executive Officer of a global Fortune 500 company and diverse board experience bring valuable perspectives to our Board.


E. Scott Santi Chairman & CEO of Illinois Tool Works Inc. Director since: 2012 Age: 56		Mr. Santi has served as Chairman of ITW since May 2015 and as Chief Executive Officer since November 2012. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ITW from November 2012 to May 2015 and as President and Chief Operating Officer from October to November 2012. Prior thereto, Mr. Santi served as Vice Chairman from December 2008 to October 2012 and Executive Vice President from October 2004 to December 2008. He has served as a director of ITW since November 2012 and currently serves as a director of W.W. Grainger, Inc. He has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Santi’s deep understanding of the Company’s business operations, operating philosophy and culture, as well as his expertise in the application of ITW’s business model, bring indispensable perspectives to our Board.

James A. Skinner Retired Vice Chairman And Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Corporation Director since: 2005 Age: 73		Mr. Skinner retired as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Corporation, a global restaurant chain, having served in those positions from 2004 to June 2012. Previously, Mr. Skinner served as Vice Chairman from 2003 to 2004; as President and Chief Operating Officer of McDonalds’ Restaurant Group from February 2002 to December 2002; as President and Chief Operating Officer of McDonald’s-Europe, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa from 2001 to 2002; and as President of McDonald’s-Europe from 1997 to 2001. Mr. Skinner is currently the Executive Chairman of the Board of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., and previously served as a director of Hewlett-Packard Company and McDonald’s Corporation. He has served as a director of ITW since 2005 and currently serves as our Lead Director. He has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Skinner’s extensive experience as Chief Executive Officer of a major global corporation and diverse board experience bring valuable perspectives to our Board.


David B. Smith, Jr. Executive Vice President for Policy & Legal Affairs and General Counsel of Mutual Fund Directors Forum Director since: 2009 Age: 51		Mr. Smith has served as Executive Vice President for Policy & Legal Affairs and General Counsel of Mutual Fund Directors Forum, a not-for-profit membership organization for independent investment company directors and an advocate on important policy matters, since 2005. From 1996 to 2005, Mr. Smith held several positions with increasing levels of responsibility at the Securities and Exchange Commission, serving as Associate Director, Division of Investment Management, from 2001 to 2005. He has served as a director of ITW since 2009 and currently serves as a director of Northern Trust Corporation. He has not served as a director of any other publicly traded company in the last five years. Mr. Smith is a nephew of Mr. Harold B. Smith, an emeritus director of ITW. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Smith’s extensive legal and regulatory experience, along with his executive experience with a mutual fund industry organization, bring valuable perspectives to our Board.

Pamela B. Strobel Retired Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Exelon Corporation and President of Exelon Business Services Company Director since: 2008 Age: 65		Ms. Strobel retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Exelon Corporation and President of Exelon Business Services Company, an electric and gas utility company, in October 2005, a position she had held since 2003, previously serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exelon Energy Delivery from 2000 to 2003. Prior thereto, she served as Executive Vice President of Unicom and its chief subsidiary, ComEd, having joined ComEd as General Counsel in 1993. Ms. Strobel has served as a director of ITW since 2008 and is currently a director of Domtar Corporation and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. She has not served as a director of a publicly-traded company other than Domtar and ITW in the last five years. Skills and Qualifications: Ms. Strobel’s executive and legal experience with a leading energy provider and other board experience bring valuable perspectives to our Board.


Kevin M. Warren Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer of Xerox Corporation Director since: 2010 Age: 55		Mr. Warren has been the Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer of Xerox Corporation, a global business services, technology and document management company, since January 2017. Previously, he served in a number of executive positions at Xerox Corporation, including as President, Commercial Business Group, from 2016 to 2017; President, Industrial, Retail and Hospitality Business Group from 2015 to 2016; President of Strategic Growth Initiatives from 2014 to 2015; and President, U.S. Client Operations from 2010 to 2014. Since 1984, Mr. Warren held a number of positions at Xerox with increasing levels of responsibility, including as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Xerox Canada from 2007 to 2010; Senior Vice President, Acquisition Transition Office in 2007; and Senior Vice President, U.S. Eastern Sales, for the U.S. Solutions Group from 2004 to 2007. He also serves as a director of a number of professional, civic and not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Warren has served as a director of ITW since 2010 and has not served as a director of any other publicly-traded company in the last five years. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Warren’s significant strategic and operational leadership experience with a major global company, along with his significant international experience, bring valuable perspectives to our Board.

Anré D. Williams Group President, Global Merchant & Network Services of American Express Company Director since: 2010 Age: 52		Mr. Williams was recently named as Group President, Global Merchant & Network Services, of American Express Company, a global financial services company. Prior thereto, he was President, Global Merchant Service & Loyalty Group, from October 2015 to February 2018. From 2011 to 2015, Mr. Williams was President, Global Merchant Services, and from 2007 to 2011, he was President, Global Commercial Card. From 1989 to 2007, Mr. Williams held several positions at American Express, serving as Executive Vice President, U.S. Commercial Card, from 2003 to 2007; Senior Vice President, U.S. Middle Market, from 2000 to 2003; Vice President and General Manager, Western Region, Corporate Services, from 1999 to 2000; and Vice President, Acquisition and Advertising, from 1996 to 1999. Mr. Williams has served as a director of ITW since 2010 and is a former director of Ryerson Inc. Mr. Williams has not served as a director of any other publicly-traded company in the last five years. Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Williams’ significant strategic and operational leadership experience with a major global financial services company, along with his global business experience, bring valuable perspectives to our Board.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of all of the above nominees.

Board of Directors and Its Committees

The Company’s Board of Directors met five times during 2017. In addition to these Board meetings, directors attended meetings of Board committees. Non-employee directors, all of whom are independent, met five times in regularly scheduled executive sessions in conjunction with regular Board meetings. James A. Skinner has served as the Lead Director of the Board since May 2017.

Role of Chairman and CEO

Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board examines whether the role of chairman and chief executive officer should be combined each time the Board elects a new CEO, and may determine to separate or combine the offices of chairman and CEO at such other times as it deems appropriate. E. Scott Santi was elected President and CEO in November 2012, and the Board decided to separate the roles of CEO and Chairman at that time. Given Mr. Santi’s successful transition into the CEO role and his deep knowledge and understanding of the Company’s business model, operations and culture, the Board determined that he is best positioned to lead the Board in its ongoing oversight of the Company’s operations and strategy. In May 2015, the Board elected Mr. Santi Chairman of the Board and CEO, and it elected an independent director as Lead Director. The Board believes that this structure, which calls for a strong, independent and highly experienced lead director with well-defined responsibilities, along with the Company’s experienced and engaged independent directors, provides effective oversight of the Company’s management. In conjunction with the Board’s role in overall strategy and succession planning as described below, our lead director actively engages with our Chairman/CEO on such matters. In addition, the Corporate Governance Guidelines state that the lead director will:

•

preside at all meetings of the Board at which the chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors;

•

act as a key liaison between the chairman and the independent directors;

•

have the authority to call meetings of the independent directors, when necessary;

•

approve meeting agendas, schedules and information sent to the Board;

•

communicate Board member feedback to the chairman after each Board meeting;

•

if requested by major stockholders, ensure that he or she is available for consultation and direct communication; and

•

perform such other duties as requested by the Board.

The Board of Directors has standing audit, compensation, corporate governance and nominating, finance, and executive committees. Under the terms of the respective charters, each member of the audit, compensation, and corporate governance and nominating committees must meet applicable New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) independence requirements. The Company strongly encourages its directors to attend all Board and committee meetings and the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In 2017, all of the directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which they serve. See “Corporate Governance Highlights — Director Nominees” for more information about meeting attendance.

Board’s Role in Company Strategy and Executive Succession Planning

The Board has an active role in the Company’s overall strategies. Each year, the Board conducts a comprehensive, in-depth review of the Company’s long-term strategy and annual operating plan and actively monitors and reviews management’s progress in executing both throughout the year. The

Board also conducts an annual review of the Company’s corporate governance practices. In addition, throughout the year the Board conducts individual segment strategy reviews with segment leadership. The Board also will periodically review the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.

The Board recognizes that one of its most important duties is to ensure continuity in the Company’s senior leadership by overseeing the development of executive talent and planning for the effective succession of the Company’s CEO and the executive leadership team. In order to ensure that the succession planning and leadership development process supports and enhances ITW’s strategic objectives, the Board regularly consults with the CEO on the Company’s organizational needs, its leadership pipeline and the succession plans for critical leadership positions. On an annual basis, the Board also conducts a detailed review of executive succession plans, in addition to addressing the Company’s talent management initiatives and discussing individuals who are considered potential future senior executives of the Company. Similarly, leadership development, including succession planning, is a top priority of the CEO and the senior executive team.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall risk oversight of the Company. The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee the responsibility to review and evaluate the Company’s overall financial and compliance risk policies and practices, including certain environmental, safety and health matters and related policies, has delegated to the Finance Committee the responsibility for the review and evaluation of risks relating to financings, capital structure and other treasury functions, and has delegated to the Compensation Committee the responsibility for the review and evaluation of risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee also advises management on whether the Company’s compensation policies and practices may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company has identified key business risks of the Company, including, but not limited to, legal/compliance/reputation, controllership/tax, key leader continuity/succession, supply chain integrity/continuity, and data security risks, and has established a formal process for continuous review of such risks. Certain risks are reviewed and discussed at least annually, while others are considered on a rotating basis. Company management routinely presents on these risks at meetings of the Company’s Board and Board committees, providing them with an opportunity to discuss the risks and the Company’s risk mitigation processes.

In instances where a particular committee reviews certain risks, that committee reports on those risks to the full Board on a regular basis. The Company believes that because each of these committees is comprised solely of independent directors, the Chairman and CEO of the Company is subject to the risk oversight of independent directors.

The committee descriptions below provide more detail regarding the risk oversight delegated to each committee by the Board.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independence and performance of ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. In addition, the Committee is responsible for the engagement of our independent registered public

accounting firm and assists the Board with respect to matters involving and overseeing accounting, financial reporting and internal audit functions. In addition, as required by the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee annually reviews legal affairs and environmental, safety and health matters that may have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements or the Company’s compliance policies. Finally, the Audit Committee,

as requested by the Board of Directors, reviews and evaluates certain of our policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management and steps taken by management to monitor and control such exposures. Additional information on the Audit Committee and its activities is set forth under “Audit Committee Report” below.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee establishes and oversees the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, programs and policies, including ensuring that executive compensation is aligned with Company and individual performance. The Compensation Committee recommends to the other independent directors compensation for the chief executive officer, reviews and approves the chief executive officer’s recommendations regarding the compensation of our other executive officers, and makes recommendations regarding new incentive compensation and equity-based plans or amendments to any existing plans. The Compensation Committee also is responsible for reviewing and evaluating risks arising from our compensation policies and practices and providing input to management on whether such policies and practices may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Under its charter, the Compensation Committee may retain an independent compensation consultant or other advisors. The Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Cook”), an independent consultant, as its independent advisor to review the Company’s overall executive compensation program, review the peer group of companies used by the Compensation Committee for comparison purposes and assess our compensation governance process. Based on representations from Cook and executive officers and directors of the Company, the Compensation Committee has determined that Cook and its individual compensation advisor to the committee are independent. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — How We Make Compensation Decisions — Role of the Compensation Consultant.”

Additional information on the Compensation Committee, its activities, its relationship with its compensation consultant and the role of management in setting compensation is provided under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies, evaluates and recommends director candidates; develops, administers and recommends corporate governance guidelines; oversees the evaluations of the performance and procedures of the Board and individual directors; makes recommendations as to Board committees and Board size; and makes a recommendation to the Board regarding the Board’s determination of director independence for the Board, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. It is also responsible for identifying qualification criteria for Board members. This committee also oversees and makes recommendations to the independent directors regarding non-employee director compensation. See “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices — Director Candidate Selection Process” below for a description of the director selection process.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee reviews, evaluates and recommends management’s proposals to the Board relating to the Company’s financings and dividend policy, and reviews and evaluates an annual summary of the funding and investment status of significant benefit plans sponsored by the Company globally. The Finance Committee also periodically reviews and evaluates the Company’s capital structure and capital allocation strategy as well as risks arising from the Company’s treasury function.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the Board if a matter requires Board action between meetings of the full Board. The Executive Committee’s authority in certain matters is limited by law and our by-laws.

Committee Memberships

The following table shows the current committee memberships and the number of meetings held by each committee during 2017.


Director	Audit Committee	Compensation Committee	Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee	Finance Committee	Executive Committee
Daniel J. Brutto	X			X
Susan Crown		X	X		Chair
James W. Griffith		X	X		X
Jay L. Henderson	X			X
Richard H. Lenny	X	Chair	X
E. Scott Santi					X
James A. Skinner		X	Chair		X
David B. Smith, Jr.	X			Chair
Pamela B. Strobel	Chair		X		X
Kevin M. Warren		X	X
Anré D. Williams		X		X

Fiscal 2017 meetings	4	4	3	2	0

Corporate Governance Policies and Practices

General

One of our core values is integrity, and we have long believed that good corporate governance is important to assure that the Company is managed for the long-term benefit of its stockholders. Accordingly, we continuously review our corporate governance policies and practices not only for compliance with applicable law, the rules and regulations of the SEC, and the listing standards of the NYSE, but also for good corporate governance principles and standards of behavior.

•

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide a framework for the effective governance of the Company and address such matters as Board structure and Board governance and the responsibilities of the Lead Director.

•

Our Statement of Principles of Conduct sets forth standards of conduct applicable to all employees and directors.

•

Our Global Anti-Corruption Policy provides detailed guidance to our employees on prohibited actions under anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

•

Our Code of Ethics sets forth standards of ethical dealing, disclosure and compliance applicable to our CEO, Vice Chairman, CFO, and all key financial personnel.

•

Our hedging policy for key employees and directors prohibits hedging the risk of ownership in ITW stock and prohibits pledging of ITW stock to secure payment obligations.

•

Our clawback policy provides for the recovery of incentive compensation payments from our senior officers in the event of an accounting restatement (whether or not based on misconduct) due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements.

•

Our Conflict Minerals Policy requires our suppliers to certify the origin of any tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold used in our products to assure that they are from conflict free sources if they originate within the Democratic Republic of Congo or its adjoining countries.

•

Our Supplier Code of Conduct requires our suppliers to adhere specifically to laws against child labor, forced labor, wage and working hours, discrimination, environmental, health & safety and fair dealing.

•

Our Supplier Expectations inform our suppliers that they are expected to focus on reducing their environmental impact, give back to their communities, and support sourcing to minority or women-owned business sub-suppliers.

The Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees each review their Committee charters annually and recommend that the Board of Directors approve any changes. We maintain a corporate governance section on our website that includes the charters of these committees, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Statement of Principles of Conduct (our code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees), the Global Anti-Corruption Policy, and the Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and key financial and accounting personnel. The Conflict Minerals Policy, the Supplier Code of Conduct and Supplier Expectations are included on our website under “About ITW.” In addition, we will promptly post any amendments to or waivers of the Code of Ethics on our website. You can find this and other corporate governance information at www.itw.com. We also will provide copies of this information upon request.

Board Independence

Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee conducts an annual review and makes a recommendation to the full Board as to whether each of our directors meets the applicable independence standards of the NYSE. In accordance with the NYSE listing standards, our Board of Directors has adopted categorical standards for director independence, including heightened standards applicable to members of our Audit and Compensation Committees. A copy of the Company’s Categorical Standards for Director Independence is attached as Appendix A. A director will not be considered independent unless the Board of Directors determines that the director has no material relationship with the Company (directly, or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a material relationship with the Company).

The Board has determined that each of the current directors, except E. Scott Santi, has no material relationship with the Company other than as a director and is independent within the meaning of the Company’s Categorical Standards for Director Independence and the listing standards of the NYSE. In making its independence determinations, the Board of Directors has broadly considered all relevant facts and circumstances including that: (1) Ms. Crown and Messrs. Henderson and Smith serve as directors of Northern Trust Corporation and its subsidiary, The Northern Trust Company, with which the Company has a commercial banking relationship as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below; (2) Messrs. Brutto, Griffith, Henderson, Lenny, Skinner and Ms. Strobel serve as directors of companies that have an existing customer or supplier relationship

with the Company; (3) Mr. David B. Smith, Jr. is the nephew of Harold B. Smith, emeritus director of the Company; and (4) each of Messrs. Warren and Williams are officers of companies with which we conduct business. The Board has concluded that these relationships are not material and, therefore, do not impair the independence of these directors.

Board Evaluations

The Board of Directors and the Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees conduct annual self-evaluations that assess the effectiveness, processes, skills, functions and other matters relevant to the Board as a whole or to the particular committee. Results of the evaluations are summarized and discussed at Board and committee meetings. In addition, the Board conducts a peer review evaluation whereby each Board member evaluates the contributions of the other Board members, and each director receives a summary of the results of the peer review regarding himself or herself.

Director Qualifications and Succession Planning

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee periodically reviews the skills, experience and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the current make-up of the Board and screens and recommends nominees for director to the full Board. Its assessment includes the skills of Board candidates, such as an understanding of technologies pertinent to the Company’s businesses, manufacturing, marketing, finance, regulation and public policy, international background and experience, age, diversity and ability to provide strategic insight and direction on the Company’s key strategic initiatives. In addition to skills and experience, Board candidates are considered based upon various criteria, such as their personal integrity and judgment, global business and social perspective, and concern for the long-term interests of our stockholders. Although there is no specific policy regarding Board diversity, racial, ethnic and gender diversity are important factors considered in the director selection process. Of the eleven director nominees, two are female and two are minorities. In addition, directors must have time available to devote to Board activities and to enhance their knowledge of the global manufacturing environment. Accordingly, we seek to attract and retain a diverse board composed of highly qualified directors who have sufficient time to attend to their duties and responsibilities to the Company. After receiving recommendations for nominations from the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board nominates or elects candidates for director.

Pursuant to ITW’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, a director may not stand for re-election after his or her 75th birthday, except in rare circumstances approved by the Board. The Committee believes it is important to replace skills that would be lost as directors approach retirement age and to identify skills to supplement existing board experience. The Committee discusses with the full Board its analysis of the characteristics and key attributes for future Board candidates.

Director Candidate Selection Process

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, or other members of the Board of Directors, may identify a need to add new members to the Board of Directors with specific skills or to fill a vacancy on the Board. At that time, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee would initiate a search, seeking input from Board members and senior management and, to the extent it deems appropriate, engaging a search firm. An initial qualified candidate or a slate of qualified candidates would be identified and presented to the Committee for its evaluation and approval. The Committee would then seek full Board approval of the selected candidate(s).

Our by-laws permit any stockholder or group of up to 20 stockholders meeting our continuous ownership requirement of 3% or more of our common stock for at least 3 years to nominate a candidate or candidates for election and require us to include such nominees in our proxy statement

and form of proxy. All such proxy access nominations must be accompanied by information about the nominating stockholders as well as the nominees and meet the requirements as specified in Article II, Section 12 of the Company’s by-laws. For a description of the process for submitting a director candidate through the use of proxy access, see “Other Information — Submitting Proxy Proposals and Director Nominations for the 2019 Annual Meeting — How do I use proxy access to nominate a director candidate to be included in ITW’s 2019 Proxy Statement?”

Our by-laws also permit stockholders to nominate directors for consideration at an annual meeting of stockholders without requiring that their nominees be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy. The policy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is to consider such nominations as are properly submitted pursuant to Article II, Section 10 of the Company’s by-laws. Assuming that a properly submitted stockholder recommendation for a director candidate has been received, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will evaluate that candidate by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as for candidates submitted by other sources, but the Committee has no obligation to recommend that candidate for nomination. For a description of the process for submitting a director candidate without proxy access, see “Other Information — Submitting Proxy Proposals and Director Nominations for the 2019 Annual Meeting — How do I nominate a director candidate who would not be included in ITW’s Proxy Statement?”

Director Election

Our by-laws provide for the election of directors in uncontested elections by majority vote. Under this majority vote standard, each director must be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to that director. For this purpose, a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director exceeds the number of shares voted “against” that director. In a contested election, directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes represented in person or by proxy at the meeting. An election is contested if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected. Whether an election is contested or not is determined ten days in advance of when we file our definitive proxy statement with the SEC. This year’s election is uncontested, and the majority vote standard will apply.

If a nominee who is serving as a director is not elected at an annual meeting, Delaware law provides that the director would continue to serve on the Board as a “holdover director” until his or her successor is elected. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, however, require any nominee for director who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast for his or her election to tender his or her resignation. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board will consider the resignation and recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject it. In considering the resignation, the Committee will take into account such factors as any stated reasons why stockholders voted against the election of the director, the length of service and qualifications of the director, the director’s contributions to the Company, and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board will consider the Committee’s recommendation, but no director who failed to receive a majority of the votes cast will participate. We will disclose the results of the Committee’s review within 90 days of such annual meeting. At our 2017 Annual Meeting, each director received a majority of the votes cast for his or her election.

Stockholder Engagement

Stockholder Outreach Activities

We believe regular, proactive communications with our stockholders to be in the long-term best interests of the Company. Our investor communications and outreach include annual investor day meetings, investor conferences and quarterly conference calls. These calls are open to the public and are available live and as archived webcasts on our website.

Additionally, we annually reach out to our largest stockholders to obtain feedback on corporate governance matters. In 2018, we invited holders of approximately 51% of our shares, represented by 23 investors, to engage with us. Eleven investors, holding in the aggregate approximately 40% of our shares, accepted our invitation. Our corporate governance topics included the Company’s progress on its strategic performance goals, the shareholder proposal to reduce the special meeting ownership threshold from 20% to 10% and the shareholder proposal to adopt time-bound, Company-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. We held meaningful discussions with our investors on these topics. Overall, the discussions were very positive, with investors expressing support for the Company’s compensation and governance practices.

A majority of the investors who engaged with us informed us that they are comfortable with a 20% special meeting threshold and either do not support or are inclined not to support the proposal to reduce it. Similarly, a majority of these investors either do not support the GHG emissions proposal or are inclined not to support it. These holders generally expressed the view that the proposal is too prescriptive and that management and the Board are in the best position to determine the Company’s corporate social responsibility strategy.

We shared feedback from these engagements with our Board.

How to Communicate with Our Directors

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with any of our directors, including our lead director, or with the independent directors as a group by sending an e-mail to independentdirectors@itw.com or by writing to the independent directors as a group or to any of our

directors c/o Illinois Tool Works Inc., 155 Harlem Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025, Attention: Secretary, with a designation on the outside of the envelope as a “Board Communication.” Relevant communications will be forwarded by the Secretary to the appropriate directors depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication.

Director Compensation

Our directors receive retainer-only compensation with no fees for attending meetings, which is an expected part of Board service. Our committee chairs and lead director receive additional retainers for their service in these capacities, and all Board members receive an annual equity grant based on a fixed-value amount with immediate vesting that avoids entrenchment. Our directors’ compensation is compared to that of the same peer group of companies used for executive compensation comparisons. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee oversees and makes recommendations to the Board regarding non-employee director compensation based on comparisons of financial performance and median compensation levels of our peer group. Peer group directors’ compensation data is prepared by Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., the independent compensation consulting firm that advises the Compensation Committee.

Annual Fees

The following table shows the non-employee director compensation for 2017. Non-employee directors were given the opportunity to elect to receive all or a portion of their annual cash retainer, including chair fees, in an equivalent value of ITW common stock pursuant to our Long-Term Incentive Plan. The number of ITW shares to be issued to a director is determined by dividing the dollar amount of the fee subject to the election by the fair market value of ITW common stock on the date the fee otherwise would have been paid in cash.


Description		Amount
Annual Retainer		$135,000
Annual Committee Chair/Lead Director Retainers:
• Audit and Compensation Committees		$ 20,000
• Corporate Governance & Nominating and Finance Committees		$ 15,000
• Executive Committee		$ 5,000
• Lead Director		$ 30,000

Annual Stock Grant		$145,000

Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan

Non-employee directors can defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual cash retainer, including chair/lead director fees, and/or stock grant until retirement or resignation. Deferred cash amounts are credited with interest quarterly at current rates. Cash fees may be deferred as cash or ITW common stock. If a director elects to defer receipt of any ITW common stock to be received in lieu of a cash payment and/or any portion of his or her stock grant, the deferred shares are credited as stock units to an account in the director’s name. The account receives share-equivalent credit for cash dividends and is adjusted for stock dividends, splits, combinations or other changes in ITW common stock upon retirement, resignation or a corporate change (as defined in our Long-Term Incentive Plan), with any fractional shares paid in cash.

ITW Common Stock Grant

The Company grants stock to its non-employee directors under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, which links this element of compensation to long-term performance. Under our director compensation program, non-employee directors serving in 2017 received an annual stock grant equivalent in value to approximately $145,000.

Director Compensation in Fiscal Year 2017

The following table summarizes the compensation for our non-employee directors who served during 2017.


Name	Cash Fees Paid or Deferred ($)(1)(2)		Stock Awards Issued or Deferred ($)(3)		All Other Compensation	Total ($)
Daniel J. Brutto		$ 135,000		$144,904(4)	$542(5)	$ 280,446
Susan Crown		$ 140,000		$144,904(4)		$ 284,904
James W. Griffith		$ 135,000		$144,904(4)		$ 279,904
Jay L. Henderson		$ 135,000		$144,904		$ 279,904
Richard H. Lenny		$ 148,077		$144,904(4)		$ 292,981
Robert S. Morrison(6)		$ 62,308		n/a		$ 62,308
James A. Skinner		$ 171,347		$144,904(4)		$ 316,251
David B. Smith, Jr.		$ 150,000		$144,904		$ 294,904
Pamela B. Strobel		$ 155,000		$144,904(4)		$ 299,904
Kevin M. Warren		$ 135,000		$144,904(4)	$275(5)	$ 280,179
Anré D. Williams		$ 135,000		$144,904		$ 279,904

(1)	The following directors elected to convert some or all cash fees earned in 2017 into shares of ITW common stock and to defer receipt of those shares:


Name	Fees Deferred in 2017		Number of Shares Deferred in 2017
Richard H. Lenny	$	148,077	1,046
James A. Skinner	$	171,347	1,210
Kevin M. Warren	$	13,500	95

(2)	Cash fees include the $135,000 annual retainer, lead director fee and committee chair fees.

(3)	Each director serving in 2017 received an annual stock grant of 1,038 shares equivalent in value to approximately $145,000.

(4)	These directors elected to defer receipt of their entire stock grant.

(5)	Amounts represent tax reimbursement for certain non-cash taxable benefits related to a business meeting of directors.

(6)	Mr. Morrison retired as a director in May 2017.

Ownership of ITW Stock

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table shows the amount of ITW common stock beneficially owned by each director, each named executive officer, and all directors and executive officers as a group as of December 31, 2017, except as otherwise noted. The “named executive officers” as shown in the table are our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and the next three most highly-compensated executive officers who were serving at the end of the last fiscal year (based on total compensation, less the increase in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings). The “percent of class” calculation is based on 341,513,946 shares of ITW common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

Beneficial ownership is a technical term broadly defined by the SEC to mean more than ownership in the usual sense. In general, beneficial ownership includes any shares a director or executive officer can vote or transfer and stock options and restricted stock units that are currently vested or that become vested within 60 days. Except as otherwise noted, the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power for all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.

The number of the directors’ phantom stock units disclosed in the table represents an equivalent number of shares of ITW common stock as of December 31, 2017. Because the granting of phantom stock units was discontinued in May 2012, Messrs. Henderson and Lenny, who joined the Board after that date, were not awarded phantom stock units upon joining the Board. Phantom stock units are not transferable and have no voting rights. The units are payable in cash and are not included in the “percent of class” calculation.


Beneficial Owner	Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned			Phantom Stock Units		Percent of Class
Directors (other than Executive Officers)
Daniel J. Brutto		13,321	(1)		1,137		*
Susan Crown		55,806	(2)		5,947		*
James W. Griffith		11,368	(3)		1,137		*
Jay L. Henderson		5,043			—		*
Richard H. Lenny		8,655	(4)		—		*
James A. Skinner		46,485	(5)		2,655		*
David B. Smith, Jr.		127,889	(6)		1,208		*
Pamela B. Strobel		30,772	(7)		1,274		*
Kevin M. Warren		11,627	(8)		1,184		*
Anré D. Williams		20,745			1,184		*
Named Executive Officers
E. Scott Santi		1,046,062	(9)		—		*
Michael M. Larsen		163,164	(10)		—		*
Christopher A. O’Herlihy		184,196	(11)		—		*
Norman D. Finch Jr.		16,061	(12)		—		*
Sundaram Nagarajan		126,937	(13)		—		*
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (23 Persons)		2,789,082	(14)		15,726		*

*Less than 1%

(1)	Includes 4,600 deferred shares.

(2)

Includes (a) 4,000 shares owned by Ms. Crown’s spouse, which were pledged to secure bank borrowings prior to April 1, 2013, and as to which she disclaims beneficial ownership; (b) 4,000 shares held in trusts of which Ms. Crown’s children are beneficiaries, as to which she disclaims beneficial ownership; and (c) 10,645 deferred shares.

(3)	Includes 3,757 deferred shares.

(4)	Includes (a) 7,647 deferred shares; (b) 8 shares owned jointly with Mr. Lenny’s spouse; and (c) 1,000 shares as to which Mr. Lenny has shared voting and investment power, which shares are held as tenants in common with his spouse through trusts.

(5)	Includes 34,127 deferred shares.

(6)	Includes (a) 95,901 shares owned jointly with Mr. Smith’s spouse, all of which were pledged to secure lines of credit prior to April 1, 2013; and (b) 15,517 shares held in trusts of which Mr. Smith’s children are beneficiaries, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(7)	Includes 21,767 deferred shares.

(8)	Includes (a) 4,139 deferred shares; and (b) 4,440 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Warren’s spouse.

(9)	Includes (a) 3,696 shares allocated to Mr. Santi’s account in the ITW Savings and Investment Plan; (b) 925,797 shares covered by options exercisable within 60 days; and (c) 29,004 performance restricted stock units which vest within 60 days.

(10)	Includes (a) 140,575 shares covered by options exercisable within 60 days and (b) 9,159 performance restricted stock units which vest within 60 days.

(11)	Includes (a) 1,629 shares allocated to Mr. O’Herlihy’s account in the ITW Savings and Investment Plan; (b) 158,407 shares covered by options exercisable within 60 days; and (c) 4,749 performance restricted stock units which vest within 60 days.

(12)	Includes (a) 11,075 shares covered by options exercisable within 60 days.

(13)	Includes (a) 98,680 shares covered by options exercisable within 60 days; and (b) 4,410 performance restricted stock units which vest within 60 days.

(14)	Includes (a) 2,123,895 shares covered by options exercisable within 60 days; (b) 72,793 restricted stock units and performance restricted stock units which vest within 60 days; and (c) 99,901 shares, which were pledged as security prior to April 1, 2013.

Other Principal Stockholders

The following table shows, as of December 31, 2017, the only stockholders that we know to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of ITW common stock. The “percent of class” calculation is based on 341,513,946 shares of ITW common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2017. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for a description of the commercial banking services provided by The Northern Trust Company and its subsidiaries to the Company and the amount paid by the Company for those services.


Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned		Percent of Class
Briar Hall Management LLC		25,919,834(1)		7.6%
511 Union Street, Suite 735
Nashville, TN 37219
The Vanguard Group		23,605,967(2)		6.9%
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company		23,305,779(3)		6.8%
Investment Dept. E-9
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
The Northern Trust Company		22,089,169(4)		6.5%
50 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60603
BlackRock, Inc.		20,507,932(5)		6.0%
55 East 52^nd Street
New York, NY 10055

(1)

Briar Hall Management LLC (“Briar Hall”) holds certain ITW shares owned by the Smith family, founders of ITW. Briar Hall has sole voting and investment power with respect to 24,690,834 shares and shared voting and investment power with respect to 1,229,000 shares. The

information above regarding the number of shares beneficially owned was provided in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 24, 2018.

(2)

The Vanguard Group has sole voting power with respect to 441,399 shares, shared voting power with respect to 68,692 shares, sole investment power with respect to 23,106,895 shares and shared investment power with respect to 499,072 shares. The information above regarding number of shares beneficially owned was provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018.

(3)

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company has sole voting and investment power with respect to 23,154,700 shares and shared voting and investment power with respect to 151,079 shares. The information above regarding number of shares beneficially owned was provided in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 8, 2018.

(4)

The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates act as sole fiduciary or co-fiduciary of trusts and other fiduciary accounts that own an aggregate of 22,089,169 shares. They have sole voting power with respect to 9,384,971 shares and shared voting power with respect to 11,751,989 shares. They have sole investment power with respect to 3,201,680 shares and shared investment power with respect to 13,319,895 shares. The information above regarding number of shares was provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 5, 2018. In addition, The Northern Trust Company holds in other accounts, but does not beneficially own, 43,962,063 shares, resulting in aggregate holdings by The Northern Trust Company of 66,051,232 shares, or 19.2%.

(5)

BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 17,184,851 shares and sole investment power with respect to 20,507,932 shares. The information above regarding number of shares beneficially owned was provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2018.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that the Company’s executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of ITW common stock with the SEC and the NYSE. Based on a review of copies of these reports provided to us during fiscal 2017 and written representations from executive officers and directors, we believe that all filing requirements were timely met during 2017.

Availability of Form 10-K and Annual Report

The Company is providing its Annual Report and its Annual Report on Form 10-K to stockholders who receive this proxy statement. The Company will provide copies of these reports to brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees and their nominees for the benefit of their beneficial owners of record. Additional copies of this proxy statement, the Annual Report and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 are available without charge upon written request to Illinois Tool Works Inc., 155 Harlem Avenue, Glenview, IL, 60025, Attention: Secretary. You may also review the Company’s SEC filings by visiting the Company’s website at www.itw.com.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides detailed information about ITW’s 2017 compensation programs, policies and practices, as well as the principles and philosophy utilized by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) regarding these programs for the named executive officers (“NEOs”) in the Summary Compensation Table. For 2017, our NEOs are:

•

E. Scott Santi, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

•

Christopher A. O’Herlihy, Vice Chairman

•

Michael M. Larsen, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

•

Sundaram Nagarajan, Executive Vice President

•

Norman D. Finch Jr., Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

Executive Overview

ITW Delivered Another Year of Strong Performance in 2017

2017 was another record year in ITW’s 105-year history. Earnings per share of $6.59*, excluding certain tax and legal items, was up 16 percent versus 2016, and we achieved all-time record results on the following key performance metrics:

•

operating income of $3.5 billion (up 14 percent)

•

operating margin of 24.4 percent (up 190 basis points)

•

after-tax return on invested capital (“ROIC”) of 24.4 percent (up 230 basis points)*

Total shareholder return (“TSR”) for 2017 was 39 percent, 4 percentage points better than the average of our peer group and 17 percentage points better than the S&P 500.

We continued to generate strong free cash flow in 2017, which we utilized to reinvest in the growth and productivity of our high quality business portfolio and to support the ongoing execution of our strategy to position ITW to consistently deliver differentiated performance over the long-term. In addition, we returned more than $1.9 billion of surplus capital to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases and we raised the ITW dividend by 20 percent.

During 2017, we also made solid progress on our path to sustained above-market organic growth by improving the Company’s organic revenue growth rate by almost two percentage points versus 2016.

LOGO

*After-tax return on invested capital (“ROIC”) and 2017 EPS are non-GAAP measures. See Appendix B for information regarding these non-GAAP measures.

**Total shareholder return for the Company’s peer group is calculated using a simple average. Although Fortive Corporation was added to the Company’s peer group in 2017, it was excluded from the calculation of total shareholder return due to its recent spin-off from Danaher Corporation.

Solid Progress on ITW’s Enterprise Strategy

ITW is successfully executing a strategy to position the Company to consistently generate solid growth and best-in-class margins and returns over the long-term. Since embarking on our current strategy in late 2012, we have made significant progress in this regard:

*As reported in the 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

**After-Tax ROIC and 2012 and 2017 EPS are non-GAAP measures. See Appendix B for information regarding these non-GAAP measures.

Moreover, our TSR performance outperformed versus our peer group and the broader market over this five-year period.

LOGO

*Total shareholder return for the Company’s peer group is calculated using a simple average. Although Fortive Corporation was added to the Company’s peer group in 2017, it was excluded from the calculation of total shareholder return due to its recent spin-off from Danaher Corporation.

During this same period, the CEO’s target total direct compensation (“TDC”) has been closely aligned to TSR performance.

ITW 5-Year CEO Pay Versus TSR

LOGO

Note: Mr. Santi was named Chief Executive Officer in November, 2012.

We believe that each element of our compensation structure plays an integral role in motivating our executives to maximize ITW’s long-term performance potential. Importantly, more than three-fourths of the CEO’s compensation is tied to ITW’s successful achievement of its long-term performance objectives.

2017 marked the end of “Phase 1” of the Company’s strategy implementation, and over the course of the five year “phase 1” period (2013-2017), the Company met or exceeded every one of the key performance goals set by the management team in conjunction with the implementation of the Company’s strategy. In December, 2017, ITW announced key performance goals for “Phase 2” of our strategy covering the five-year period from 2018 to 2022. The performance objectives of our executive compensation plans, annual and long-term, are highly aligned with these goals.

LOGO

Alignment of Executive Incentives with ITW’s Strategy

ITW’s Board of Directors and Compensation Committee are responsible for aligning executive incentives with the Company’s strategy and the best interests of our stockholders. The Board believes that the Company has a strong track record of thoughtful and diligent governance and execution with respect to aligning executive incentives, as evidenced by the consistently favorable outcome of the annual advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation (96.9 percent favorable in 2015, 95.9 percent favorable in 2016, and 97.2 percent favorable in 2017).

Since the initiation of our current strategy, the Committee has regularly reviewed incentive plan performance metrics, both annual and long-term, to ensure ongoing alignment with the strategy’s performance objectives. In the earlier years of the strategy, when we focused on the divestiture of our commoditized businesses and the restructuring of our businesses, earnings per share (“EPS”) was a significant portion of overall incentive compensation. In 2016, as we shifted our focus to organic revenue growth, EPS was removed as a performance metric in the annual incentive plan, while organic revenue growth became a substantive annual performance measure. In 2017, we continued to emphasize operating income and organic revenue growth in the annual incentive plan. We also further refined our long-term incentive plan by increasing options to 50 percent of the long-term award value and making the other 50 percent tied to the three-year cumulative performance of operating margin, ROIC and EPS. In 2017, the cash portion of the long-term incentive award program was decreased to 25 percent (from 30 percent for the CEO and 33 percent for the other NEOs), and the equity portion (options and performance share units) increased to 75 percent (from 70 percent for the CEO and 67 percent for the other NEOs). We believe that these performance metrics and the design of the executive incentive plans support the achievement of the current phase of our strategy and, as such, we are not making any plan design changes in short-term or long-term executive incentives in 2018.

The following table shows the percent of average incentive pay for our corporate NEOs tied to each of the financial metrics in our annual and long-term incentive plans for 2016, 2017 and 2018:

Percent of Average Corporate NEO (excluding Operating Executives) Target Incentive Pay Tied to Each Performance Metric


Metric	2016	2017	2018
Earnings Per Share Growth	47.6%	20.9%	23.5%
Operating Income Growth	17.2%	22.3%	17.7%
Organic Revenue Growth	11.4%	14.9%	11.8%
Return on Invested Capital	11.9%	20.9%	23.5%
Operating Margin	11.9%	20.9%	23.5%

ITW 2018-2022 Annual Financial Performance Goals

Executive Compensation Highlights

Compensation Philosophy



Philosophy		Key Components
Our executive compensation philosophy is designed to deliver competitive total compensation upon the achievement of our strategy objectives, which will attract, motivate and retain leaders who drive the creation of long-term stockholder value.		Target total compensation is based on the median of our peer group and relevant external market data. Actual compensation is determined by achievement of results based on our goals aligned to ITW’s strategy.
		Individual executive compensation is then established based on an executive’s scope of responsibility, impact on profitable growth, individual performance and breadth of experience.
		Pay-for-performance through short- and long-term incentives links compensation to Company and business segment performance. This “pay-at-risk” aligns executive and stockholder interests to help ensure the short- and long-term growth of ITW.

Compensation Objectives

We emphasize a total compensation approach in establishing individual executive compensation levels with each element of compensation serving a specific purpose. In addition to paying a competitive base salary, we use a mix of different performance-based elements of compensation that reward different aspects of both Company and individual performance. Our 2017 executive compensation program consisted primarily of three compensation elements: fixed (base salary), variable (annual cash incentives and long-term incentive compensation, including stock options, performance share units and performance cash awards), and retirement and change-in-control benefits, as illustrated below:

2017 Compensation Elements


	Compensation Element	Form	Objective
FIXED	Base Salary	Cash	Market competitive to attract and retain highly qualified leaders Reflective of individual performance, experience and scope of responsibility
VARIABLE	Annual Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”)	Cash	Motivate executives to achieve annual Company and business segment performance goals
	Stock Options	Equity	Reward executives for delivering on the long-term performance goals aligned with the Company’s strategy and creating long-term stockholder value
	Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)	Equity
	Performance Cash	Cash
RETIREMENT AND CHANGE-IN- CONTROL BENEFITS	Savings & Investment Plan-401(k)	Cash	Retirement savings in both qualified and nonqualified plans aligned with market practices Nonqualified plan allows contributions for those executives exceeding the IRS limits
	Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan	Cash
	Change-in- Control Severance Policy	Cash/ Equity	Provide compensation in the event of a termination after a change-in-control

Overview of Key Compensation Decisions

The following describes significant actions taken and any changes made to our executive compensation practices for the NEOs. We believe these practices reflect good corporate governance in our compensation policies while continuing to recognize and reward superior Company, business segment and individual performance as they align with our strategic objectives.

●

Annual Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”)

^¡

Like 2016, the financial performance measures for the 2017 annual EIP were based 60 percent on operating income growth and 40 percent on organic revenue growth, which are two critical financial performance metrics aligned with our strategic performance goals. For corporate executives, the measures were based solely on Company results. For operating executives, the measures were based 50 percent on Company performance and

50 percent on the performance of their respective segment. The payout range of the EIP was 0 percent to 200 percent of target.

●

Long-Term Incentives

^¡

As noted in the Executive Overview, to ensure continued alignment with the current phase of the Company’s strategy and stockholder interests, we changed the weighting of the components of our 2017 long-term incentive program for executive officers to 50 percent stock options and 50 percent performance-based awards (25 percent payable in PSUs and 25 percent payable in cash).

^¡

The long-term incentive measures for the 2017-2019 performance-based awards (PSUs and Performance Cash) are operating margin, ROIC and EPS, with each of the three measures equally weighted.

2017 Target Compensation

Our total target compensation (base salary, EIP and long-term incentives) is intended to create a strong correlation between the executive’s compensation and Company and/or business segment performance. The compensation elements based on Company or business segment performance include EIP, Performance Cash, and equity incentives. Ninety percent of 2017 total compensation for the CEO is tied to performance, with 57 percent in the form of equity and 33 percent in cash awards. Eighty percent of 2017 total compensation for the other NEOs (on average) is tied to performance, with 47 percent delivered through equity awards and 33 percent in the form of cash awards. Our equity and long-term cash awards have multi-year vesting schedules to align the interests of our executive officers with the long-term interests of our stockholders. The following charts illustrate the allocation of our total target compensation opportunity for 2017 between fixed (base salary), equity (options and PSUs) and variable (EIP and long-term incentives) components.

Allocation of 2017 Total Target Compensation*

*Total target compensation as used in the charts above is the sum of base salary, target EIP and the grant date fair value of long-term cash and equity incentives.

Ongoing Best Practices

We regularly review and refine our executive compensation program to ensure that it continues to address practices and policies that are aligned with our pay-for-performance philosophy and the interests of our stockholders. In this regard, our 2017 compensation program reflects the following:


What We Do		What We Don’t Do
✓	We maintain a Compensation Recovery Policy (“clawback policy”) requiring the reimbursement of incentives if a material financial restatement is required	û	We do not provide executives with employment agreements
✓	We have stock ownership guidelines linking the interests of long-term stockholders to our executive officers and mitigating compensation-related risk	û	We do not provide gross-ups as part of our change-in-control agreements
✓	The Committee engages an independent compensation consultant who advises the Committee on regulatory and other current trends and key developments in executive compensation	û	We do not allow share repricing within our stock option plan
✓	The Committee conducts an annual review of the performance of the CEO as well as the other NEOs	û	We prohibit officers, directors, and employees from hedging, pledging, short selling or publicly trading options involving ITW common stock
✓	We hold an annual advisory vote for our stockholders to review and approve our executive compensation programs	û	We do not allow immediate vesting of equity awards that are continued or replaced upon a change-in-control; all such awards allow only double-trigger vesting (change-in-control and termination)

Say On Pay Advisory Voting Results

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, 96.9 percent, 95.9 percent and 97.2 percent, respectively, of votes cast approved the compensation of our NEOs. The Committee believes that this favorable vote is confirmation that our stockholders believe that the pay of our NEOs is appropriately aligned with the performance of the Company and the interests of our stockholders. The Committee therefore determined that no changes to our executive compensation practices were necessary as a result of the Say on Pay vote.

How We Make Compensation Decisions

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Committee conducts an annual review of ITW’s practices and the compensation of our executive officers to ensure:

•

The elements of the total compensation package are aligned with the market to attract and retain the caliber of talent required to deliver on our business strategies;

•

Compensation decisions are meaningfully differentiated to appropriately reflect the contributions of our highest performers; and

•

Our incentive programs drive performance aligned with our strategy and the Company’s culture and values.

In making its executive compensation decisions and recommendations, the Committee is guided by the following factors:

•

Our compensation philosophy;

•

Compensation comparisons from a peer group of diversified multinational industrial companies with similar size, value, and complexity; and

•

Management’s contribution to our short- and long-term goals based on profitable growth and strong returns on capital.

In addition, the Committee engaged an independent advisor, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Cook”), to work directly on its behalf and in cooperation with management to review ITW’s executive compensation program, confirm appropriateness of our peer companies, and assess our compensation governance process.

See “Board of Directors and Its Committees — Compensation Committee” under “Proposal 1 —Election of Directors” for more information about the function of the Committee.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

As previously stated, the Committee has engaged Cook as its independent compensation consultant. In 2017, Cook conducted a marketplace review of the compensation we pay to our executive officers. Cook provided the Committee with relevant market data, including a review of our pay and performance and that of our peers, reviewed the peer companies we use for comparison purposes, and benchmarked our compensation against our peer companies. Cook also assisted the Committee with its assessment of compensation-related risk.

Based on its consideration of factors under NYSE listing standards, the Committee concluded that the work performed by Cook and its senior advisor involved in the engagement did not raise any conflict of interest.

2017 Risk Assessment

The Committee, together with management, annually considers potential risks when reviewing our compensation programs for all employees, including our executive officers. Based on this assessment, the Committee concluded that our 2017 compensation programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on ITW. In making this determination, the Committee reviewed the key design elements of our compensation programs, as well as the means by which any potential risks may be mitigated, including:

•

A Balanced Mix of Compensation Components — The target compensation mix for our executive officers is composed of salary, annual cash incentives and long-term cash and equity incentives, representing a mix that is not overly weighted toward short-term cash incentives.

•

Multiple Performance Factors — Our incentive compensation plans use Company-wide measures, which encourage focus on the achievement of objectives for the overall benefit of the Company. Multiple financial goals also prevent an over emphasis on any one metric.

•

Long-term Incentives — Our long-term incentives are primarily equity-based, and our long-term cash program is subject to performance goals. These long-term incentives have three-year vesting schedules (PSUs and performance cash) or four-year vesting schedules (stock options), in each case to complement our annual cash-based incentives.

•

Capped Incentive Awards — Annual and long-term incentive awards are capped at 200 percent of target.

•

Stock Ownership Guidelines — Our guidelines call for significant share ownership, which further aligns the interests of our executive officers with the long-term interests of our stockholders.

•

Clawback Policy — Our Clawback Policy authorizes the Committee to recoup past incentive compensation in the event of a material restatement of the Company’s financial results.

•

Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging — Employees are subject to Company policy that prohibits pledging and hedging activities with respect to ITW stock.

•

Committee Oversight — The Committee has ultimate authority to determine, and reduce if appropriate, compensation provided to our executive officers.

•

Independent Compensation Consultant — The Committee retains an outside independent compensation consultant.

Peer Companies

The Committee has identified a group of comparable companies, which we refer to as the peer group, to benchmark executive

compensation and provide competitive market data to be used in establishing and recommending each element of compensation. The peer group is reviewed annually by the Committee with assistance from Cook. In addition, the Committee refers to market data based on manufacturing companies within the Aon Hewitt TCM Online Executive survey using regression analysis and tabular long-term incentive data and the Mercer Executive Compensation survey with a revenue range of $5 billion to $20 billion for corporate executives and $1.2 billion to $3.75 billion for the operating executives.

Peer Group Selection Criteria:

• U.S. publicly traded companies from ITW’s same and related industries, identified based on Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) codes;

• Companies with one-fourth to four times our revenue and market capitalization with broadly similar businesses and pay models;

• Companies that compete for the same customers with similar products and/or services; and

In connection with its annual review in 2017, the Committee removed BorgWarner Inc., Masco Corporation and Textron Inc. from the Company’s peer group since they have been consistently

• Companies with whom we may compete for executive talent.

below the identified range for market capitalization. The Committee also removed E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company due to its merger with Dow Chemical Company, and Pentair plc due to the disposition of its electrical business.

In addition, the Committee added four companies to the peer group: Fortive Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, Raytheon Company and Rockwell Automation, Inc., as they meet the Company’s industry and size criteria.

For 2017, the Committee identified the following 17 companies to be used as the Company’s peer group:


3M Company	Emerson Electric Co.	Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Caterpillar Inc.	Fortive Corporation	PPG Industries, Inc.
Cummins Inc.	General Dynamics Corporation	Raytheon Company
Deere & Company	Honeywell International Inc.	Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Dover Corporation	Ingersoll-Rand plc	Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
Eaton Corporation plc	Johnson Controls, Inc.

The revenue median of the peer group was $17.8 billion based on the twelve-month average of reported financial results through May 31, 2017, and the median market capitalization was $31 billion, versus $13.96 billion and $43.6 billion, respectively, for ITW.

The nature of our decentralized and diverse lines of business presents challenges in identifying similar organizations for comparison purposes; however, we believe that the peer group selected provides relevant comparisons.

Compensation Decisions and Individual Compensation Levels

On an annual basis, the CEO reviews the total compensation of the NEOs and makes recommendations to the Committee based on his assessment of each executive’s individual performance and peer group compensation information. The Committee makes recommendations to the independent directors regarding the CEO’s compensation based on an assessment of the CEO’s performance and peer group compensation information. There are no material differences in the policies and decision processes used in setting compensation for the CEO and the other NEOs. However, the different levels of compensation for the NEOs, as shown in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement, reflect internal factors such as each executive’s scope of responsibility, performance, impact on profitable growth and breadth of experience, as well as compensation data from the peer group.

Components of the 2017 Executive Compensation Program

Base Salary

In determining base salary, the CEO and the Committee consider the size and scope of the executive officers’ responsibilities, experience, performance, market data and the median base salary of similar positions at our peer group companies. The Committee believes that median base salary is an appropriate general reference point to use for encouraging solid performance. Base salaries are reviewed annually, and adjustments are intended to recognize performance and contributions over the prior year, as well as any significant changes in duties or scope of responsibility.

In February 2017, the Committee reviewed Mr. Santi’s performance and recommended for approval a base salary increase to $1,261,146 from $1,212,640 (4 percent), which in turn was approved by the Board’s independent directors. For the other NEOs, the Committee approved recommended base pay increases that ranged between 3.5 percent and 5.5 percent. These base salary increases were effective February 27, 2017.

Annual Executive Incentive Plan

We believe that executives generally should be rewarded for their contributions to the overall financial success measured by income and organic growth of the Company as a whole and, if applicable, the business segment he or she leads. Achieving our annual financial objectives is important to executing our current strategic objectives and delivering long-term value to stockholders.

The Committee determines and approves the performance results and awards for the NEOs and recommends for approval, and the independent directors of the full Board approve the annual incentive award amount for the CEO. EIP is composed solely of financial performance measures for our NEOs. The financial metric weighting for Mr. Santi, Mr. O’Herlihy, Mr. Larsen and Mr. Finch was based 60 percent on Company operating income and 40 percent on Company organic revenue growth. For Mr. Nagarajan, the weighting of the financial measures was based 60 percent on operating income and 40 percent on organic revenue growth, with 50 percent of each metric based on Company results and 50 percent on results of his business segment. The financial measures were recommended by management and approved by the Committee at the start of the 2017 performance year. The Committee has the discretion to make adjustments in the calculation of financial performance to eliminate factors beyond the control of management and to eliminate possible disincentives to act in the long-term best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

2017 EIP Financial Measures

For 2017, executive officers were eligible to earn a payment according to the performance scales below.

2017 EIP Company Financial Targets


	Operating Income Growth	Organic Revenue Growth	Payout (as a Percent of Target)*
Maximum	116%	4%	200%
Target	106%	2%	100%
Threshold	85%	1%	50%

*Operating income growth payout uses interpolation for achievement between threshold and target and target and maximum. Organic revenue growth payout uses interpolation for achievement between 0 and 4 percent, resulting in payouts between 0 and 200 percent.

The following table shows the actual goal achievement for the corporate NEOs.

2017 EIP Company Performance Results


Operating Income Growth*				Organic Revenue Growth*
2016	2017	Achievement Percent	Payout Percent	2016	2017	Achievement Percent	Payout Percent	Total Payout Percent
$3.1B	$3.4B	110.3%	143.4%	$13.6B	$14.0B	2.9%	146.0%	144.5%

*Operating income growth and organic revenue growth were calculated on a constant currency basis. Operating income for 2017 excludes the favorable impact of a $95 million legal settlement.

2017 Annual Cash Incentive Total Payouts

The total 2017 payouts to the NEOs ranged from 144.5 percent to 144.7 percent of target award level.

Payouts for Named Executive Officers


Named Executive Officer	Award Target	Year-End 2017 Salary	Total Payout Percent	Total Payout Amount ⁽¹⁾
E. Scott Santi	150%	$1,261,146	144.5%	$2,732,740
Michael M. Larsen	90%	$731,145	144.5%	$950,578
Christopher A. O’Herlihy	90%	$672,510	144.5%	$874,346
Sundaram Nagarajan⁽²⁾	80%	$544,565	144.7%	$630,302
Norman D. Finch Jr.⁽³⁾	70%	$520,000	144.5%	$484,050

(1)	These amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table under “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.” The award payout is calculated as a percent of base salary.

(2)	Mr. Nagarajan’s EIP is based 30 percent on Company operating income, 30 percent on Automotive Segment operating income, 20 percent on Company organic revenue growth and 20 percent on Automotive Segment 2017 sold orders.

(3)	Mr. Finch’s Total Payout Amount is pro-rated based on his start date of January 30, 2017.

Long-Term Incentives


The value of the overall long-term incentive award for the
CEO is determined by the Committee, subject to approval by the independent directors of the full Board of Directors. Awards to other NEOs are recommended by the CEO to the Committee for approval. The key factors in determining the awards are the executive’s position, performance, potential to contribute to the long-term success of the Company, breadth of experience and prior awards. In addition, although we generally do not establish any specific target or prescribed value in relation to the peer group, comparisons are made to long-term incentive levels in the peer group and market		We believe that ensuring the long-term growth and profitability of the business is a primary management responsibility. Therefore, a significant portion of an executive officer’s compensation should be directly linked to key financial performance measures that consider the long-term perspective, such as operating margin, ROIC, EPS and ITW’s share price over time.
compensation data.

As noted earlier, beginning in 2017, we changed the components of our long-term incentive award program to increase the performance-based elements. In 2017, the NEOs received 50 percent of their award in stock options and 50 percent in other performance-based awards (25 percent payable in PSUs and 25 percent payable in cash). We believe that stock options are an effective incentive because they directly align the interests of the executives with those of our stockholders, as an unexercised stock option has no realizable value if our stock price falls below the exercise price, while the value increases along with increases in our stock price above the exercise price. The stock option awards are combined with the other performance-based awards to closely align long-term incentives with the financial performance objectives of the Company’s strategy. The weightings of the total target values of the 2017 long-term incentive equity and cash awards were as follows:

2017 Long-Term Incentive Award Weightings

Position

Stock

Options

PSUs

Performance

Cash

All Executive Officers

50%

25%

The Committee has established specific vesting and expiration provisions associated with termination of employment due to death, disability and retirement, as defined in the applicable awards, and forfeiture provisions upon other termination of employment. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may deem a long-term incentive award, whether vested or unvested, to be immediately forfeited if the recipient competes with the Company, engages in gross misconduct or conduct that is against the business interests of the Company, or divulges confidential information about the Company to others.

2017 Stock Option Awards

The 2017 stock options vest in equal installments over a four-year period ending in 2021. Stock options are awarded with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and normally expire ten years after the award date. In recent years, including 2017, we awarded only non-qualified stock options because we believed that the tax benefits to the Company of non-qualified stock options outweighed the potential tax benefits to the NEOs of incentive stock options. For future option grants, the Committee will take into account the potential impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 when determining whether to grant non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options, including the impact of the new tax rules on the deductibility of compensation and on ordinary income tax rates.

2017 Performance Share Units and Performance Cash Awards

The PSUs and Performance Cash awards vest three years from the date of award, subject to the achievement of the performance goals set at the beginning of the performance period. PSUs are awarded based on the fair market value of one share of ITW common stock on the date of award.

The goals for the 2017 PSUs and Performance Cash awards are equally weighted and based on operating margin, ROIC and EPS. The payout range is 50 percent to 200 percent of the target award. Performance below threshold results in no payout for the weighted portion for that metric. The payout at the end of the performance period will be based on the following sliding payout scale:

2017 PSU and Performance Cash Payout Scale


	Operating Margin	After-Tax ROIC	EPS Growth	Payout (as a Percent of Target)
Maximum	26%	24%	12%	200%
Target	23%	20%	8%	100%
Threshold	20%	16%	5%	50%

Note: Interpolation is used for measuring achievement between threshold and target and maximum and target.

2015 Long-Term Incentive Cash Award Payouts

In 2015, executives were awarded a long-term incentive cash (LTI Cash) award under the Long-Term Incentive Cash Plan in effect at that time. This award had a three-year performance period from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. The LTI Cash award had three financial metrics that were equally weighted: operating margin, ROIC and organic revenue growth (calculated using a simple average as reported in our financial statements as of the time financial results for each year were publicly released). The payout range for the awards had a threshold of 50 percent and a maximum of 150 percent of target.

Percentage Payout of 2015 LTI Cash Awards


Metric	2015	2016	2017	Achieve- ment	Payout (Percent of Target)
Operating Margin	21.4%	22.5%	24.4%	22.8%	150.0%
After-Tax ROIC	20.4%	22.1%	24.4%	22.3%	150.0%
Organic Revenue Growth	-0.4%	1.2%	2.9%	1.2%	55.8%
Total					118.6%

The following table shows the individual payout level for each NEO:

Payout Amounts of 2015 LTI Cash Awards


Named Executive Officer	Award Target	Final Performance Achievement	Final Payout
E. Scott Santi	$2,850,000	118.6%	$3,380,100
Michael M. Larsen	$900,000	118.6%	$1,067,400
Christopher A. O’Herlihy	$466,667	118.6%	$553,467
Sundaram Nagarajan	$433,333	118.6%	$513,933

Timing of Long-Term Incentive Awards

The Committee meets in February of each year following the Company’s public release of its earnings results for the recently completed fiscal year to consider and act with respect to long-term incentive awards for the executive officers. Long-term awards are made in compliance with the Long-Term Incentive Plan, including the requirement that stock options may not be awarded at less than 100 percent of the fair market value of ITW’s common stock on the date of award. The exercise price of the awards is based on the closing price of ITW’s stock on the date of award. We do not time awards for the purpose of enhancing the value of executive compensation.

Executive Compensation Policies and Guidelines

Stock Ownership Guidelines and Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policies

We believe that stock ownership is important because it aligns the interests of our management and directors with those of our stockholders. Because of the importance of stock ownership, the Board of Directors and the Committee have adopted stock ownership guidelines for executive officers and directors. The 2017 guidelines for stock ownership as a multiple of executive officers’ base salaries and of directors’ annual retainers are as follows:


Title		Guideline
Chief Executive Officer		6 times salary
Vice Chairman, Executive Vice Presidents, and Chief Financial Officer		3 times salary
Senior Vice Presidents		2 times salary
Non-employee Directors		5 times annual retainer

The Committee expects that an executive officer or non-employee director will achieve the applicable ownership level within five years. The achievement of these guidelines is reviewed annually. The Board of Directors believes that its stock ownership guidelines are appropriate, reasonable and attainable given the responsibilities and compensation levels of our executive officers and directors and has not deemed it necessary to impose a holding period requirement for shares owned by our executive officers and directors.

All NEOs and directors who have been in their positions for five or more years have met or exceeded the applicable 2017 stock ownership guideline.

All recipients of Company equity-based awards, which include key employees and all officers and directors, are subject to our policy against options trading and short sales of ITW stock, as well as trading in derivatives linked to Company stock. In addition, since April 2013, our employees (including NEOs) and non-employee directors are prohibited from pledging Company stock, and pledged shares are excluded from ownership for purposes of our stock ownership guidelines.

Compensation Recovery Policy

We maintain a Compensation Recovery Policy (a “clawback policy”) applicable to all executive officers of the Company subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under the policy, the Committee will seek reimbursement of incentives paid to executive officers where the payment was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results with respect to the applicable performance period that was subsequently the subject of a material restatement due to material non-compliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the U.S. securities laws. The

reimbursement amount is equal to the excess of the gross incentive payment made over the gross payment that would have been made if the original payment had been determined based on the restated financial results. Further, following a material restatement of our financial statements, we will seek reimbursement of compensation and profits from trading in Company stock received by our CEO and CFO to the extent required under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Deductibility

Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) limits the deductibility of compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to any one NEO in any calendar year. Under the tax rules in effect before 2018, compensation that qualified as “performance-based” under Section 162(m) was deductible without regard to this $1 million limit. In 2017 and prior years, the Committee designed awards under the EIP, performance cash awards, PRSUs, PSUs and stock options that were intended to qualify for this performance-based compensation exception. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), which was signed into law December 22, 2017, eliminated this performance-based compensation exception effective January 1, 2018, subject to a special rule that “grandfathers” certain awards and arrangements that were in effect on or before November 2, 2017. As a result, compensation that the Committee structured in 2017 and prior years with the intent of qualifying as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) that is paid on or after January 1, 2018 may not be fully deductible, depending on the application of the special grandfather rules. Moreover, from and after January 1, 2018, compensation awarded in excess of $1,000,000 to our NEOs generally will not be deductible. While the Act will limit the deductibility of compensation paid to the NEOs, the Committee will — consistent with its past practice — continue to retain flexibility to design compensation programs that are in the best long-term interests of the Company and our stockholders, with deductibility of compensation being one of a variety of considerations taken into account.

NEO Compensation

The following tables provide information regarding the compensation of our NEOs.

Summary Compensation Table


Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary(1)		Bonus		Stock Awards(2)		Option Awards(2)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (1)(3)		Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(4)		All Other Compensation (5)		Total
E. Scott Santi		2017		$1,253,684		-		$2,624,896		$5,249,987		$6,112,840		$1,727,424		$141,039		$17,109,870
Chairman & Chief Executive		2016		$1,205,313		-		$2,999,974		$3,999,996		$4,840,686		$1,671,339		$122,221		$14,839,529
Officer		2015		$1,155,379		-		$2,849,933		$3,799,994		$3,968,602		$2,316,452		$146,740		$14,237,101
Michael M. Larsen		2017		$727,341		-		$687,488		$1,374,984		$2,017,978		-		$204,718		$5,012,509
Senior Vice President & CFO		2016		$702,152		-		$899,965		$899,999		$1,623,675		-		$130,909		$4,256,700
		2015		$674,543		-		$899,963		$899,984		$671,479		-		$182,006		$3,327,976
Christopher A. O'Herlihy		2017		$667,116		-		$649,984		$1,299,994		$1,427,813		$330,941		$242,629		$4,618,477
Vice Chairman		2016		$633,138		-		$749,925		$749,989		$1,109,427		$27,456		$154,539		$3,424,474
		2015		$569,185		-		$466,637		$466,652		$971,049		-		$192,261		$2,665,782
Norman D. Finch Jr.		2017		$480,000		$230,000		$981,191		$1,187,465		$484,050		-		$490,145		$3,852,851
Senior Vice President, GC & Secy
Sundaram Nagarajan		2017		$541,343		-		$356,224		$712,497		$1,144,235		$353,953		$41,008		$3,149,260
Executive Vice President		2016		$520,456		-		$458,297		$458,318		$1,071,171		$305,910		$58,439		$2,872,591

(1)

The Salary and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation columns for 2017 include amounts deferred by the executive under the Executive Contributory Retirement Income Plan (“ECRIP”) and the Savings and Investment Plan. The deferral amounts for each year shown for each NEO can be found in the Footnote 1 Table to the table under the “ITW Retirement Plans — Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” section.

(2)

The Stock Awards column represents PSUs awarded in 2017 and PRSUs awarded in 2015 and 2016. The amounts shown represent the target (2017) and target/maximum (2015 and 2016) amount that may be earned. The Option Awards column represents stock options awarded in the relevant year, and the assumptions applicable to these valuations can be found in Note 12 of the Notes to Financial Statements — Stock-Based Compensation contained in the Illinois Tool Works Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

(3)

These amounts include 2017 awards made under ITW’s Executive Incentive Plan and 2015 LTI Cash award payouts made under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. Further information regarding these plans and awards thereunder can be found above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of the 2017 Executive Compensation Program — Annual Executive Incentive Plan” and “— Long-Term Incentives.”

(4)

These amounts include an amount of interest in the applicable calendar year considered to be in excess of market rates credited to the deferred compensation accounts of the NEOs under the ECRIP, discussed in more detail under “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below. When a participant attains retirement eligibility at age 55 with 10 years of service, any amounts in his or her ECRIP account deferred prior to January 1, 2010 are entitled to a return of 130 percent of the monthly Moody’s Corporate Bond Yield Average rate, and the excess interest portion is deemed to be amounts exceeding 100 percent of such rate. This additional interest credit applies to all eligible plan participants, including the eligible NEOs. All amounts deferred after December 31, 2009 accrue interest at 100 percent of the Moody’s Rate. The individual amounts of pension benefits and excess interest credits earned in each year are shown in the table below.

Footnote 4 Table


Name	Year		Accrual in ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan			Accrual in ITW Nonqualified Pension Plan		Excess Interest on Deferred Compensation		Change in Pension Value and NQDC Earnings
E. Scott Santi		2017		$54,458			$1,657,294		$15,672		$1,727,424
		2016		$55,258			$1,600,339		$15,742		$1,671,339
		2015		$55,889			$2,245,325		$15,238		$2,316,452
Michael M. Larsen*		2017		-			-		-		-
		2016		-			-		-		-
		2015		-			-		-		-
Christopher A. O’Herlihy**		2017		$330,941			-		-		$330,941
		2016		$27,456			-		-		$27,456
		2015		($136,433	)		-		-		($136,433	)
Norman D. Finch Jr.^,**		2017		-			-		-		-
Sundaram Nagarajan***		2017		$49,193			$300,142		$4,618		$353,953
		2016		$42,420			$259,031		$4,459		$305,910

*Mr. Larsen joined the Company in September 2013. Mr. Finch joined the Company in January 2017. Consequently, their ECRIP deferrals are not eligible for the 130 percent rate, and these NEOs are not eligible to participate in the Company’s pension plans, which were closed to new entrants effective January 1, 2007.

**Mr. O’Herlihy participated in the ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan from 1989 through 1999. From 1999 through August 2011, he was employed in Ireland, participated in the ITW Irish Pension Plan and ceased active participation in the U.S. plan. Upon his return to the U.S. in 2011, he was ineligible to actively participate in the U.S. plan due to the plan participation closure effective January 1, 2007. The ITW Irish Pension Plan accrual is included in the “Accrual in ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan” column above, because this amount also represents a qualified pension plan present value. For 2015, the reduction in the present value of accumulated benefits reflects the economic adjustment in the value of his benefits.

***Mr. Nagarajan became an NEO in 2016; therefore, prior years are not presented. Mr. Finch became an NEO in 2017; therefore, prior years are not presented.

(5)

These amounts include the Company contributions to the ECRIP and the Savings and Investment Plan, based on plan rules for all eligible participants. The amount for Mr. Santi also includes $1,514, which represents tax reimbursement for certain non-cash taxable benefits related to CEO business meetings. The amount for Mr. Finch also includes $410,775, which represents relocation expenses per the terms of his offer of employment.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The table below provides information regarding plan-based awards granted to our NEOs during fiscal year 2017 under the ITW Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) and the Long-Term Incentive Plan.


			Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)(2)						Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (3)						All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)		All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)		Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/ Sh) (4)		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock And Option Awards ($)(5)




Name	Grant Date	Plan Type	Threshold ($)		Target ($)		Maximum ($)		Threshold (#)		Target (#)		Maximum
E. Scott Santi		EIP		$0		$1,891,719		$3,783,438
	2/10/2017	Perf. Cash		$1,312,500		$2,625,000		$5,250,000
	2/10/2017	Equity (6)								10,254		20,507		41,014				195,676		$128.00		$7,874,883
Michael M. Larsen		EIP		$0		$658,031		$1,316,062
	2/10/2017	Perf. Cash		$343,750		$687,500		$1,375,000
	2/10/2017	Equity (6)								2,686		5,371		10,742				51,248		$128.00		$2,062,472
Christopher A. O'Herlihy		EIP		$0		$605,259		$1,210,518
	2/10/2017	Perf. Cash		$325,000		$650,000		$1,300,000
	2/10/2017	Equity (6)								2,539		5,078		10,156				48,453		$128.00		$1,949,978
Norman D. Finch Jr.		EIP		$0		$364,000		$728,000
	2/10/2017	Perf. Cash		$103,125		$206,250		$412,500
	2/10/2017	Equity (6)								806		1,611		3,222				15,374		$128.00		$618,692
	2/1/2017	Equity (7)														6,108		28,928		$126.88		$1,549,964
Sundaram Nagarajan		EIP		$0		$435,652		$871,304
	2/10/2017	Perf. Cash		$178,125		$356,250		$712,500
	2/10/2017	Equity (6)								1,392		2,783		5,566				26,556		$128.00		$1,068,721

(1)

The range of potential payouts under the EIP awards for the NEOs as determined by the Committee in February 2017 for 2017 performance is set forth in these columns. The financial performance components and corresponding payouts as a percent of target are shown under “Components of the 2017 Executive Compensation Program — Annual Executive Incentive Plan.”

(2)	The range of potential payouts under the Performance Cash Awards for the three-year period 2017 through 2019 is set forth in these columns.

(3)	The range of potential share distributions under the 2017 PSU award for the NEOs as set by the Committee in February 2017 for performance for the three-year period 2017 through 2019 is set forth in these columns.

(4)	Exercise price is equal to the closing price on the grant date.

(5)

Grant date fair values of options awarded to the NEOs on February 10, 2017 were based on an implied value of $26.83 per share as determined using a binomial valuation technique under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. Grant date fair value of PSUs was based on the assumption that the performance conditions will be met.

(6)	Amounts in the column Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards reflect the PSUs awarded to the NEOs. Amounts in the All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options are the non-qualified stock option awards to the NEOs.

(7)

Mr. Finch joined ITW on January 30, 2017. He received 6,108 restricted stock units that vest 100% three years from the grant date. In addition, he received 28,928 stock options that vest 25 percent per year. These awards were made to Mr. Finch in connection with his hire and to address equity awards Mr. Finch forfeited upon leaving his prior employer.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2017

The following table sets forth details, on an award-by-award basis, of the outstanding equity awards held by each NEO as of December 31, 2017.


			Option Awards								Stock Awards
Name	Grant Date (1)		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable		Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#) (2)		Market Value of Shares or Units that Have Not Vested ($)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units that Have Not Vested (3)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested
E. Scott Santi		2/10/2012		108,885		-		$ 55.71		2/9/2022		-		-		-		-
		2/15/2013		305,188		-		$ 63.25		2/14/2023		-		-		-		-
		2/14/2014		168,316		56,106		$ 78.59		2/14/2024		-		-		-		-
		2/13/2015		92,322		92,323		$ 98.26		2/13/2025		-		-		29,004		$4,839,317
		2/12/2016		49,950		149,850		$ 91.88		2/12/2026		-		-		32,651		$5,447,819
		2/10/2017		-		195,676		$128.00		2/10/2027		-		-		20,805		$3,471,389
Michael M. Larsen		9/16/2013		17,483		-		$ 75.10		9/16/2023		-		-		-		-
		2/14/2014		41,253		13,752		$ 78.59		2/14/2024		-		-		-		-
		2/13/2015		21,865		21,866		$ 98.26		2/13/2025		-		-		9,159		$1,528,179
		2/12/2016		11,238		33,717		$ 91.88		2/12/2026		-		-		9,795		$1,634,296
		2/10/2017		-		51,248		$128.00		2/10/2027		-		-		5,449		$909,193
Christopher A. O'Herlihy		2/10/2012		43,554		-		$ 55.71		2/9/2022		-		-		-		-
		2/15/2013		37,301		-		$ 63.25		2/14/2023		-		-		-		-
		2/14/2014		22,276		7,426		$ 78.59		2/14/2024		-		-		-		-
		2/13/2015		11,337		11,338		$ 98.26		2/13/2025		-		-		4,749		$ 792,371
		2/12/2016		9,365		28,097		$ 91.88		2/12/2026		-		-		8,162		$1,361,830
		2/10/2017		-		48,453		$128.00		2/10/2027		-		-		5,152		$ 859,595
Norman D. Finch Jr.		2/1/2017		-		28,928		$126.88		2/1/2027		6,108		$1,019,120		-		-
		2/10/2017		-		15,374		$128.00		2/10/2027		-		-		1,634		$ 272,707
Sandaram Nagarajan		2/15/2013		37,301		-		$ 63.25		2/14/2023		-		-		-		-
		2/14/2014		20,626		6,876		$ 78.59		2/14/2024		-		-		-		-
		2/13/2015		10,528		10,528		$ 98.26		2/13/2025		-		-		4,410		$ 735,809
		2/12/2016		5,723		17,170		$ 91.88		2/12/2026		-		-		4,988		$ 832,248
		2/10/2017		-		26,556		$128.00		2/10/2027		-		-		2,824		$ 471,101

(1)	Stock options vest at the rate of 25 percent per year from the award date with exceptions for termination upon death, disability, retirement and change-in-control.

(2)	RSUs are subject to three-year cliff vesting.

(3)

PRSUs (granted 2016 and prior) are subject to three-year vesting, as well as a performance goal based on cumulative earnings per share from continuing operations over a three-year period. PSUs were granted in 2017 and are subject to three-year vesting, as well as operating margin, ROIC and EPS performance goals.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding option exercises and stock vesting for each NEO during 2017. The value realized upon the exercise of options is calculated using the difference between the option exercise price and the market price at the time of exercise multiplied by the number of shares underlying the option. The value realized upon the vesting of stock awards is based on the market price on the vesting date.


	Option Awards				Stock Awards
Name	Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)		Value Realized on Exercise ($)		Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)		Value Realized on Vesting ($)
E. Scott Santi		101,297		$8,328,636		32,446		$4,205,002
Michael M. Larsen		52,447		$3,436,492		10,603		$1,374,149
Christopher A. O’Herlihy		36,467		$3,216,112		5,725		$741,960
Norman D. Finch Jr.		-		-		-		-
Sundaram Nagarajan		4,554		$352,798		5,301		$687,010

Pension Benefits

The following table provides pension benefit information through our financial statement measurement date of December 31, 2017 for each NEO serving as of that date.


Name	Plan Name	Number of Years of Credited Service		Present Value of Accumulated Benefit (1)(2)
E. Scott Santi	ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan		35.621		$812,840
	ITW Nonqualified Pension Plan		35.621		$9,437,294
Michael M. Larsen	ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan (3)		-		-
	ITW Nonqualified Pension Plan (3)		-		-
Christopher A. O’Herlihy	ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan (4)		10.455		$90,580
	ITW Nonqualified Pension Plan (4)		-		-
	ITW Irish Pension Plan (4)		11.167		$1,658,347
Norman D. Finch Jr.	ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan (3)		-		-
	ITW Nonqualified Pension Plan (3)		-		-
Sundaram Nagarajan	ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan		21.000		$480,893
	ITW Nonqualified Pension Plan		21.000		$1,565,489

(1)

Assuming the individual receives a lump-sum distribution at normal retirement, present values are based on the 3.60 percent discount rate used for financial reporting purposes.

(2)

In the event of a change-in-control or departure due to death, disability or retirement, the total pension payable is reflected in the total of the above amounts. The allocation between the ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan and the ITW Nonqualified Pension Plan depends on the actual lump sum and annuity values calculated using the actual applicable interest rates and IRS limits.

(3)

Employees hired after January 1, 2007 are not eligible for the Company’s pension plan. Therefore Mr. Larsen and Mr. Finch are not eligible for the pension plan, as they joined the Company after 2007.

(4)

Mr. O’Herlihy participated in the ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan from 1989 through 1999. From 1999 through August 2011, he was employed in Ireland, participated in the ITW Irish Pension Plan and ceased active participation in the U.S. plan. Upon his return to the U.S. in 2011, he ceased active participation in the Irish plan and was ineligible to actively participate in the U.S. plan due to the plan participation closure effective January 1, 2007.

ITW Retirement Plans

ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan

We maintain the ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan (the “Pension Plan”) for the benefit of eligible employees to provide a portion of the income necessary for retirement. The Pension Plan was closed to new entrants effective January 1, 2007. The Pension Plan is structured as a “pension equity plan” under which a participant accumulates an age-based percentage for each year of plan participation. The sum of the Accumulation Percentages multiplied by final average annual pay (salary and annual incentive paid (“EIP”) in the highest five years out of the last ten complete calendar years of service), plus the sum of the Excess Percentages multiplied by the final average annual pay above the Covered Compensation, produce an amount that can be received as a lump-sum payment or an actuarially equivalent lifetime annuity. For each year of credited service after December 31, 2000, the age-based percentages are as follows:


Age During the Year	Pay Accumulation Percentage	Excess Percentage ⁽¹⁾
Less than 30	2%	2%
30-34	3%	2%
35-39	4%	2%
40-44	5%	2%
45	7%	2%
46-49	7%	6%
50-54	10%	6%
55-59	13%	6%
60 or older	16%	6%

(1)	Covered compensation is a 35-year average of the maximum earnings recognized in calculating Social Security benefits. For 2017, the covered compensation amount for an individual attaining age 65 was $77,880, while for an employee age 35 or younger it was $127,200.

Prior to 2001, the Pension Plan operated under a traditional annuity formula (a normal retirement benefit equal to 1 percent of final average annual pay and 0.65 percent of such pay in excess of covered compensation for each of the first 30 years of credited service plus 0.75 percent of final average annual pay for any additional years). As part of the transition to the pension equity formula, as of December 31, 2000:

•

Accrued benefits under the traditional annuity formula were converted to an initial pension equity percentage by calculating the lump-sum value of the normal retirement annuity and dividing by the average annual pay at that time.

•

Anyone who had 5 years of participation and whose age plus vesting service equaled at least 50 years was entitled to additional pension equity credits of 4 percent of final average annual pay per year for each year of employment from 2001 through 2015.

ITW Irish Pension Plan

The Irish Pension Plan operates under a traditional annuity formula (a normal retirement benefit equal to 1.5 percent of final average annual pay for each year of credited service). The final average annual pay is the highest consecutive pensionable base salary over any three-year period over the last ten complete years of service.

Nonqualified Pension Plan

The Nonqualified Pension Plan is maintained to make up for benefits that cannot be paid under the tax-qualified Pension Plan due to Internal Revenue Code limitations on the amount of compensation that may be considered and the amount of benefit that may be paid. The Company has not considered awarding additional years of service to executive officers under the plan and, therefore, does not currently have a policy on such awards. For the most part, the Nonqualified Pension Plan uses the same formulas and other computation elements as the Pension Plan with certain exceptions, including the following:

•

The Pension Plan uses net compensation after deferrals under the Executive Contributory Retirement Income Plan (the “ECRIP”), and the Nonqualified Pension Plan uses total eligible compensation (generally, salary and non-equity incentive compensation).

•

The Nonqualified Pension Plan provides that a participant who leaves the Company, other than upon retirement, may forfeit any plan benefits based on eligible compensation above the IRS maximum amount ($270,000 in 2017) that may be recognized under a tax-qualified plan.

•

In addition to the annuity and lump-sum options available under the Pension Plan, a participant in the Nonqualified Pension Plan may elect to receive fixed monthly installments over 2 to 20 years. If the executive left employment prior to death, disability or retirement, or if the plan is terminated in conjunction with a change-in-control, the benefit from the Nonqualified Pension Plan would be paid as a lump sum.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company’s ECRIP offers designated executives an opportunity to defer a portion of their salary and earned non-equity incentive to a deferred compensation account to receive the employer contributions they would otherwise receive if such deferrals had been made under our tax-qualified Savings and Investment Plan and IRS limits did not apply. Deferred amounts receive a rate of interest based on the monthly Moody’s Long-Term Corporate Bond Yield Average (the “Moody’s Rate”). All of the NEOs are eligible for the ECRIP. An ECRIP participant may defer from 6 percent to 50 percent of his or her salary and from 6 percent to 85 percent of his or her variable Cash components (EIP and Performance Cash), with the applicable matching contribution on the salary and EIP amounts under the Savings and Investment Plan formula (in lieu of any matching contributions under that plan). Salary and EIP deferrals under the ECRIP reduce the compensation that may be recognized under the Savings and Investment Plan and the tax-qualified Pension Plan.

The ECRIP features include a maximum limit on the amount of interest under the Moody’s Rate that would be recognized (12 percent annualized, or 15.6 percent for amounts eligible to receive 130 percent of the Moody’s Rate), a return of deferral feature whereby an individual could elect to receive a return of the principal amount deferred after a period of at least five years, and options for payment following death, disability or retirement as a lump sum or in monthly installments over 2 to 20 years.

Retirement under the ECRIP is defined as having attained age 55 with at least 10 years of service, or age 65 with at least 5 years of service. If an ECRIP participant’s employment ends due to retirement,

death, or disability, amounts deferred to the ECRIP prior to January 1, 2010 will receive interest crediting of 130 percent of the Moody’s Rate. Amounts deferred to the ECRIP after December 31, 2009 are only eligible to receive 100 percent of the Moody’s Rate. During 2017, the Moody’s Rate applied to ECRIP accounts ranged from 3.95 percent to 4.24 percent for amounts eligible for 100 percent of the Moody’s Rate, and 5.14 percent to 5.52 percent for amounts eligible for 130 percent of Moody’s.

If terminated in conjunction with a change-in-control, participants would receive their ECRIP as a lump-sum payment.

The following table sets forth ECRIP account information for each NEO during fiscal year 2017.


Name	Executive Contributions in 2017 (1)		Registrant Contributions in 2017 (2)		Aggregate Earnings in 2017		Aggregate Distributions in 2017		Aggregate Balance at December 31, 2017 (3)(4)
E. Scott Santi		$398,642		$139,525		$176,732		$76,946		$4,120,203
Michael M. Larsen		$548,023		$187,619		$68,063		-		$1,846,133
Christopher A. O’Herlihy		$980,753		$215,241		$157,051		-		$4,175,775
Norman D. Finch Jr.		$57,843		$64,618		$913		-		$51,313
Sundaram Nagarajan		$860,263		$41,008		$72,066		$27,500		$1,770,743

(1)

As shown in the Footnote 1 Table below, includes deferrals of (i) 2017 salary reflected in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table; (ii) 2017 executive annual incentive amounts deferred in 2018 reflected in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2017; and (iii) 2015-2017 LTI Cash deferred in 2018 reflected in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2017.

Footnote 1 Table


Name	Salary Deferral in 2017		Executive Annual Incentive Deferral in 2018 for 2017 Performance		LTI Cash Deferral in 2018 for Performance Period of 2015 - 2017		Total Executive Deferrals in 2017
E. Scott Santi		$125,368		$273,274		-		$398,642
Michael M. Larsen		$72,734		$475,289		-		$548,023
Christopher A. O’Herlihy		$266,847		$437,173		$276,733		$980,753
Norman D. Finch Jr.		$28,800		$29,043		-		$57,843
Sundaram Nagarajan		$108,269		$315,151		$436,843		$860,263

(2)	These amounts are also included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2017.

(3)

Footnote 4 to the Summary Compensation Table sets forth above-market interest for 2017 included in aggregate earnings in this table. Above-market interest was discontinued for amounts deferred after December 31, 2009. During 2017, Mr. Nagarajan became “retirement eligible”; therefore, he is now vested in the aggregate above-market interest of $50,849.

(4)

In addition to the Company’s contributions shown in the table above and excess interest as disclosed for 2017 in the Footnote 4 Table to the Summary Compensation Table, the following amounts of NEO and Company contributions to the ECRIP and excess interest are reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for 2016 and 2015:

Footnote 4 Table


Name	Year Ended December 31, 2016		Year Ended December 31, 2015
E. Scott Santi		$442,188		$581,236
Michael M. Larsen		$522,137		$452,835
Christopher A. O’Herlihy		$697,494		$818,690
Norman D. Finch Jr.		*		*
Sundaram Nagarajan		$299,627		*

*Mr. Nagarajan was not an NEO in 2015 and Mr. Finch was not an NEO in 2016 or 2015.

Potential Payments upon Termination

Payments and benefits received by NEOs upon termination are governed by the arrangements described below and quantified at the end of this section. We have estimated the amounts involved assuming that the termination became effective as of December 29, 2017, the last business day of fiscal year 2017. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of the NEOs’ departure from the Company.

No payments or benefits are automatically payable to NEOs upon a change-in-control, and if there is a qualifying termination following a change-in-control, there are no tax gross-up payments.

Annual Executive Incentive Plan

The Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) provides that if a participant is employed as of the last day of the fiscal year, he or she would receive any amounts earned under the Executive Incentive Plan for that fiscal year. In the event an NEO becomes permanently disabled or dies, the NEO would be eligible for a possible payout under the Executive Incentive Plan. If termination of employment other than for death, disability, retirement or change-in-control occurs prior to the last day of the fiscal year, a participant forfeits his or her award; however, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to award an amount prorated for the portion of the fiscal year that the participant was employed. Actual amounts earned based on performance by the NEOs in 2017 are discussed in more detail above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of the 2017 Executive Compensation Program — Annual Executive Incentive Plan.”

ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan and Nonqualified Pension Plan

NEOs who are terminated for any reason receive their benefits under the ITW Retirement Accumulation Plan and Nonqualified Pension Plan as described in the Pension Benefits table above.

Executive Contributory Retirement Income Plan

NEOs who are terminated for any reason receive contributions and accumulated earnings as outlined in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation section above.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards

Stock Options and PRSUs: In the event of a termination upon death or disability, all unvested options and PRSUs held by the NEOs would immediately vest. In the event of a termination upon retirement, unvested PRSUs awarded more than one year prior to retirement would immediately vest, and unvested options and PRSUs awarded within one year prior to retirement would become 25 percent vested, with PRSU payouts subject to achievement of performance metrics. Retirement is defined as a combined age and service of 70, subject to a minimum age of 55 and a minimum service of 5 years. Unvested options will continue to vest according to the original vesting schedule instead of immediately vesting in the event of a recipient’s retirement more than one year after the grant date of the award. Messrs. Santi and Mr. Nagarajan meet the retirement criteria for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 awards as of December 31, 2017.

In the event of a change-in-control, options and 2015 and 2016 PRSUs that are continued or replaced would only vest upon a termination of employment after the change-in-control. Unvested options and PRSUs that are not replaced would fully vest. In the case of PRSUs, all such vesting events are subject to the achievement of performance goals.

2015 and 2016 LTI Cash/2017 PSUs and Performance Cash: In the event of a termination upon death or disability, the awards would vest based on the actual performance level achieved and be paid after the end of the performance period. In the event of a termination upon retirement (defined as a combined age and service of 70, subject to a minimum age of 55 and a minimum service of 5 years), the awards would vest pro-rata and be paid after the end of the performance period. In the event of a change-in-control, an award that is not replaced will vest pro-rata at the greater of target or actual achievement level. In the event of an actual or constructive termination following a change-in-control, an award that has been replaced would vest pro-rata and be paid at the target level (or actual achievement level if greater).

For all NEOs, in the event of a termination other than upon retirement, death, disability or a change-in-control, any unvested options, PRSUs, PSUs, Performance Cash and LTI Cash held on such date by the NEOs would be forfeited.

Change-in-Control Severance Policy

The Company’s 2011 Change-in-Control Severance Compensation Policy provides that, upon an actual or constructive termination following a change-in-control of the Company, the NEOs and other elected officers would be entitled to receive: (i) two times annual cash compensation (base salary plus average annual incentive pay over the prior three years); (ii) a prorated amount of that year’s annual incentive bonus at the target level (or actual achievement level if greater); and (iii) a prorated amount of the value of any LTI Cash or Performance Cash awards at the target level (or actual achievement level if greater). We do not gross up any of the compensation paid in the event of termination due to a change-in-control.

Summary of Termination and Change-in-Control Programs

The benefits for the NEOs under each termination scenario are outlined below.


Benefit or Payment	Retirement	Involuntary (w/o Cause)	Death/ Disability	Termination in Connection with a Change-in-control
Base Salary	N/A	1 week per year of service	N/A	2 times annual salary
Benefits	N/A	Based on years of service	N/A	N/A
Executive Incentive Plan (1)(2)	Pro-rata vesting	Pro-rata payout	Pro-rata vesting	2 times the average bonus paid in the prior 3 years plus pro-rata payout for current year
Executive Contributory Retirement Income Plan (1)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Retirement Accumulation Plan and Nonqualified Pension Plan (1)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vesting of Unvested PRSUs (2)	Vests 100 percent if retirement is 1 year or more after award; if retirement is less than 1 year after award, 25 percent vests and 75 percent is forfeited (3)	N/A	100 percent vesting (4)	Subject to replacement and double trigger (5); otherwise, 100 percent vesting
Vesting of Unvested Stock Options	If retirement is 1 year or more after award: Continue vesting (3); if less than 1 year, 25 percent vests and 75 percent is forfeited	N/A	100 percent vesting	Subject to replacement and double trigger (5); otherwise, 100 percent vesting
Payment of Long-Term Cash (LTI Cash, Performance Cash) and PSUs (2)(3)	Pro-rata vesting (4)	N/A	100 percent vesting (4)	Subject to replacement and double trigger (5); otherwise, pro-rata amount based on termination date (6)

(1)	Retirement for these awards is defined as termination after age 55 and 10 years of service.

(2)	All vesting for these awards is subject to achievement of performance goals, except for termination upon death or disability.

(3)	Retirement is defined as a combination of age and service of 70 with a minimum age of 55 and minimum service of 5 years.

(4)	Vesting is limited to the extent that the performance level for the award is achieved. If the minimum performance level is not achieved, the award is forfeited.

(5)	Awards that are replaced after a change-in-control do not receive accelerated vesting. Double-trigger vesting occurs for awards that are continued or replaced if actual or constructive termination occurs within two years of a change-in-control of the Company.

(6)	Pro-rata vesting is at the greater of target or actual achievement level.

Termination and Change-in-Control Payments and Benefits

The following table shows the value of payments and benefits that the NEOs would receive pursuant to the 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2011 Change-In-Control Severance Compensation Policy upon retirement, involuntary termination without cause, death, disability or a change-in-control, assuming that termination occurred as of the last business day of fiscal 2017. It also shows the Company’s severance benefits that would be payable to the NEOs and that are available to employees generally. For purposes of this table, LTI Cash and Performance Cash payments are assumed at target level. The value of unvested stock options, if accelerated upon a change-in-control or termination, is determined using the excess, if any, of $166.85 (the closing price of ITW common stock on December 29, 2017) over the option exercise price.

Mr. Santi and Mr. Nagarajan met the retirement criteria for various grants under the Long-Term Incentive Plan during 2017. The 2015 and 2016 PRSUs, 2017 PSUs, Performance Cash and LTI Cash awards vest and are payable after the performance goals have been met. The unvested stock options continue vesting. In addition, 75 percent of the 2017 stock option awards would be forfeited since the assumed retirement occurs within the award year. The PSUs, LTI Cash and Performance Cash awards would be pro-rated based on the retirement date.

Voluntary termination without good reason is not shown in the table because such a termination would not trigger the payment of severance benefits or annual long-term incentives. Stock options, PRSUs, PSUs and LTI Cash awards and Performance Cash awards, whether vested or unvested, are subject to forfeiture if the holder competes with, or divulges confidential information about, the Company, or if the Compensation Committee determines that the holder engaged in gross misconduct or conduct that is against the business interests of the Company. Awards granted after January 1, 2011 are also subject to forfeiture, in whole or in part, in order to comply with applicable law, regulation, stock exchange, accounting rule, or our clawback policy.


Named Executive Officer	Benefit	Retirement		Involuntary Termination (w/o Cause)		Death or Disability		Termination Upon a CIC
E. Scott Santi	Severance (Base)	$	-	$	630,573	$	-	$	7,621,133
	Benefits	$	-	$	8,096	$	-	$	-
	Current year EIP	$	2,732,740	$	2,732,740	$	2,732,740	$	2,732,740
	Stock Options (Value of accelerated options)	$	-	$	-	$	30,120,617	$	30,120,617
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PRSUs)	$	10,287,137	$	-	$	10,287,137	$	10,287,137
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PSUs)	$	1,155,972	$	-	$	3,471,389	$	1,155,972
	LTI - Cash (Value of accelerated cash)	$	5,723,925	$	-	$	8,475,000	$	5,723,925
	Total	$	19,899,774	$	3,371,409	$	55,086,883	$	57,641,524


Named Executive Officer	Benefit	Retirement		Involuntary Termination (w/o Cause)		Death or Disability		Termination Upon a CIC
Michael M. Larsen	Severance (Base)	$	-	$	70,302	$	-	$	2,951,211
	Benefits	$	-	$	1,584	$	-	$	-
	Current year EIP	$	-	$	950,578	$	950,578	$	950,578
	Stock Options (Value of accelerated options)	$	-	$	-	$	7,232,289	$	7,232,289
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PRSUs)	$	-	$	-	$	3,162,475	$	3,162,475
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PSUs)	$	-	$	-	$	909,193	$	302,761
	LTI - Cash (Value of accelerated cash)	$	-	$	-	$	2,487,500	$	1,728,878
	Total	$	-	$	1,022,464	$	14,742,035	$	16,328,192
Christopher A.	Severance (Base)	$	-	$	375,054	$	-	$	2,622,133
O'Herlihy	Benefits	$	-	$	12,669	$	-	$	-
	Current year EIP	$	-	$	874,346	$	874,346	$	874,346
	Stock Options (Value of accelerated options)	$	-	$	-	$	5,421,923	$	5,421,923
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PRSUs)	$	-	$	-	$	2,154,200	$	2,154,200
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PSUs)	$	-	$	-	$	859,595	$	286,245
	LTI - Cash (Value of accelerated cash)	$	-	$	-	$	1,866,667	$	1,183,067
	Total	$	-	$	1,262,069	$	11,176,731	$	12,541,914
Norman D. Finch Jr.	Severance (Base)	$	-	$	20,000	$	-	$	2,008,100
	Benefits	$	-	$	1,157	$	-	$	-
	Current year EIP	$	-	$	484,050	$	484,050	$	484,050
	Stock Options (Value of accelerated options)	$	-	$	-	$	1,753,532	$	1,753,532
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested RSUs)	$	-	$	-	$	1,019,120	$	1,019,120
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PSUs)	$	-	$	-	$	272,707	$	90,812
	LTI - Cash (Value of accelerated cash)	$	-	$	-	$	206,250	$	68,681
	Total	$	-	$	505,207	$	3,735,659	$	5,424,295
Sundaram Nagarajan	Severance (Base)	$	-	$	282,755	$	-	$	2,217,804
	Benefits	$	-	$	11,085	$	-	$	-
	Current year EIP	$	-	$	630,302	$	630,302	$	630,302
	Stock Options (Value of accelerated options)	$	-	$	-	$	3,647,927	$	3,647,927
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PRSUs)	$	1,568,056	$	-	$	1,568,056	$	1,568,056
	Restricted Stock Units (Value of unvested PSUs)	$	156,877	$	-	$	471,101	$	156,877
	LTI - Cash (Value of accelerated cash)	$	857,490	$	-	$	1,247,917	$	857,490
	Total	$	2,582,423	$	924,142	$	7,565,303	$	9,078,456

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors hereby furnishes the following report to the stockholders of the Company in accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement. Based on our review and discussions, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2017.

This report is submitted on behalf of the members of the Compensation Committee:

Richard H. Lenny, Chairman

Susan Crown

James W. Griffith

James A. Skinner

Kevin M. Warren

Anré D. Williams

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2017 about the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Plan Category

(a)
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights

(b)
Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options

(c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

5,185,009⁽¹⁾

$80.88

8,265,194

(1)

Includes directors’ deferred shares, and shares subject to RSUs, PRSUs and PSUs.

Pay Ratio

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the ratio of the annual total compensation of the median ITW employee to the annual total compensation of our CEO.

The pay ratio reported below, in our view, is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules, and is based on the methodologies and assumptions described below. SEC rules identifying the median employee and determining the pay ratio permit companies to employ a wide range of methodologies, estimates and assumptions. As a result, the pay ratio reported by other companies, which may have utilized other permitted methodologies or assumptions, and which may have a significantly different workforce structure from ours, are likely not comparable to our CEO pay ratio.

The Company has an extensive global footprint in 56 countries and approximately 50,000 employees, of which approximately two-thirds are outside of the U.S. Compensation practices in these countries vary and we pay our employees based on competitive practices within each location.

In 25 countries, ITW has small employee populations. We therefore chose to apply the de minimis exemption, as permitted by the SEC, and excluded countries which, in the aggregate, make up approximately 4% of our total workforce. The countries excluded are as follows:


Countries		Excluded Employees (in each country)
Austria, Estonia, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Peru, Turkey		Less than 15 employees
Chile, Columbia, Croatia, Finland, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Norway, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates		Less than 100 employees
Argentina, Costa Rica, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Thailand		Less than 200 employees

To calculate the pay ratio, we identified the median employee based on our employee population as of October 31, 2017, which was approximately 50,000 employees, before excluding approximately 2,000 employees by applying the exemption noted above.

To identify the median employee, we collected employees’ regular pay (salary or hourly wages), overtime pay and shift differentials/premiums, and pay received for paid time off. For employees who participate in a company-sponsored defined contribution retirement plan, we also included their company-paid contribution. We did not include annual incentives or bonuses, sales incentives or commissions, long-term cash or equity incentives, allowances, or any benefits received as part of a company-sponsored defined benefit pension plan.

With this information collected, we identified 20 employees whose compensation we believe is around the median of all employees and we then identified the actual annual total compensation for each of these employees in order to determine the final median employee compensation.

Our median employee compensation is $40,738. As set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, the total compensation for our CEO for 2017 is $17,109,870. Accordingly, the pay ratio between our CEO and median employee is 420:1.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

We review related-party transactions in accordance with our Statement of Principles of Conduct, by-laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines, rather than a separate written policy. A related-party transaction is a transaction involving the Company and any of the following persons: a director, director nominee or executive officer of the Company; a holder of more than 5% of ITW common stock; or an immediate family member or person sharing the household of any of these persons.

Our Statement of Principles of Conduct states that our directors, officers and employees must avoid engaging in any activity, such as related-party transactions, that might create a conflict of interest or a perception of a conflict of interest. These individuals are required to raise for consideration any proposed or actual transaction that they believe may create a conflict of interest. Our by-laws provide that no related-party transaction is void or voidable solely because a director has an interest if (1) the material facts are disclosed to or known by the Board of Directors and the transaction is approved by the disinterested directors or an appropriate Board committee comprised of disinterested directors, (2) the material facts are disclosed to or known by the stockholders and the transaction is approved by the stockholders, or (3) the transaction is fair to the Company as of the time it is approved. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Board will apply established Categorical Standards for Director Independence in making its independence determinations. Under the standards, certain relationships between the Company and a director would preclude a director from being considered independent.

On an annual basis, each director and executive officer completes a Directors’ and Officers’ Questionnaire, which requires disclosure of any transactions with the Company in which he or she, or any member of his or her immediate family, has a direct or indirect material interest. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the results of these questionnaires and discusses any related-party transaction disclosed therein.

In addition, under its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing, approving, ratifying or disapproving all proposed related-party transactions that, if entered into, would be required to be disclosed under the rules and regulations of the SEC. In reviewing related-party transactions, the Audit Committee considers the factors set forth in our Statement of Principles of Conduct, by-laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines, as well as other factors, including the Company’s rationale for entering into the transaction, alternatives to the transaction, whether the transaction is on terms at least as fair to the Company as would be the case were the transaction entered into with a third party, and the potential for an actual or apparent conflict of interest. No member of the Audit Committee having an interest in a related-party transaction may participate in any decision regarding that transaction.

We maintain a commercial banking relationship with The Northern Trust Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Northern Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation and beneficially owns approximately 6.5% of our common stock. Ms. Susan Crown and Messrs. Jay L. Henderson and David B. Smith, Jr., directors of the Company, are also directors of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company. In 2017, The Northern Trust Company provided the following services to the Company: credit services, treasury and investment management services, trade services, credit enhancement or payment guaranty, acting as agent or fiduciary, consulting services, risk management services, securities lending services and broker dealer services. In addition, The Northern Trust Company serves as the trustee under the Company’s principal U.S. pension plans. The banking and trustee relationships with The Northern Trust Company are conducted in the ordinary course of business on an arm’s-length basis. Banking, investment management, trustee and other administrative fees paid to The Northern Trust Company or affiliates by the Company were approximately $4.0 million in 2017.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of five independent directors, as defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, and the Board of Directors has determined that all Audit Committee members are “financially literate.” In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Brutto and Henderson meet the Securities and Exchange Commission criteria of “audit committee financial expert.” The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which was most recently reviewed by the Audit Committee in February 2018.

The Audit Committee is responsible for providing oversight to the Company’s financial reporting process through periodic meetings with ITW’s independent registered public accountants, internal auditors and management in order to review accounting, auditing, internal control and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee is also responsible for assisting the Board in overseeing: (a) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (b) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (c) the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance; (d) the Company’s overall risk policies and practices; and (e) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. Company management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the financial reporting information and related systems of internal controls. The Audit Committee, in carrying out its role, relies on Company senior management, including senior financial management, and ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm.

The following is the report of the Audit Committee.

We have reviewed and discussed with senior management the audited financial statements of the Company. Management has confirmed to the Audit Committee that the financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. We have also reviewed and discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm, its audit and opinion regarding the Company’s financial statements.

We have reviewed and discussed with senior management their assertion and opinion regarding the Company’s internal controls. Management has confirmed to the Audit Committee that internal controls over financial reporting have been appropriately designed and are operating effectively to prevent or detect any material financial statement misstatements. We have also reviewed and discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its audit and opinion regarding the Company’s internal controls.

We have reviewed and discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 1301 (Communications with Audit Committees) under which Deloitte & Touche LLP must provide us with additional information regarding the scope and results of its audit of the Company’s financial statements. This information includes: (1) Deloitte & Touche LLP’s responsibility under generally accepted auditing standards; (2) significant accounting policies; (3) management judgments and estimates; (4) any significant audit adjustments or internal control matters; (5) any disagreements with management; and (6) any difficulties encountered in performing the audit.

We have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP a letter providing the disclosures required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence with respect to any relationships between Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Company that in its professional judgment may reasonably be thought to bear on independence. Deloitte & Touche LLP has discussed its independence with us, and it has confirmed in the letter that, in its professional judgment, it is in a position to serve the Company as its Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

The Audit Committee also discussed with the Company’s internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee

meets periodically with the internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

Based on the reviews and discussions described above, we recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board approved, the inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pamela B. Strobel, Chair

Daniel J. Brutto

Jay L. Henderson

Richard H. Lenny

David B. Smith, Jr.

Proposal 2 - Ratification of the Appointment of Independent

Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to audit ITW’s financial statements. The Audit Committee is also directly involved in the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm’s lead engagement partner in conjunction with the mandatory rotation of the lead engagement partner.

The Audit Committee has engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) to serve as ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. Deloitte & Touche LLP has been employed to perform this function for the Company since 2002.

Audit Fees

Deloitte, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Deloitte Entities”) will bill us approximately $10,450,000 for professional services in connection with the 2017 audit, as compared with $9,646,000 for the 2016 audit of the annual financial statements and internal controls. These fees relate to: (i) the audit of the annual financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K; (ii) the review of the quarterly financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; (iii) the internal controls audit; and (iv) statutory audits.

Audit-Related Fees

During 2017 and 2016, the Deloitte Entities billed us approximately $54,000 and $155,000, respectively, for audit-related services. These fees relate to work performed with respect to technical accounting assistance and comfort letters related to debt issuances.

Tax Fees

These fees include work performed by the Deloitte Entities for 2017 and 2016 with respect to tax compliance services such as assistance in preparing various types of tax returns globally ($1,476,000 and $1,215,000, respectively) and tax planning services, often related to our restructurings and new tax rules ($677,000 and $517,000, respectively).

All Other Fees

There were no fees for other services rendered by the Deloitte Entities for 2017 and 2016.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies

The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for pre-approval of all audit and non-audit related work to be performed by ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm. As a part of those procedures, the Audit Committee performs a qualitative analysis of all non-audit work to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. Each year, the Audit Committee receives a detailed list of the types of audit-related and non-audit related services to be performed, along with estimated fee amounts. The Audit Committee then reviews and pre-approves audit work and certain categories of tax and other non-audit services that may be performed. In conducting its analysis, the Audit Committee carefully contemplates the nature of the services to be provided and considers whether such services: (i) are prohibited under applicable rules; (ii) would result in our accountants auditing their own work; (iii) would result in our accountants performing management functions; (iv) would place our accountants in a position of acting as an advocate for the Company; or (v) would present a real risk of a conflict of interest or otherwise impair our accountants’ independence. The Audit Committee also annually pre-approves the budget for annual GAAP, statutory and benefit

plan audits. Company management provides quarterly updates to the Audit Committee regarding year-to-date expenditures versus budget for audit and non-audit services. The Audit Committee also considers whether specific projects or expenditures could potentially affect the independence of ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee annually reviews Deloitte’s independence and performance in determining whether to retain Deloitte or engage another firm as our independent registered public accounting firm. In the course of these reviews, the Audit Committee considers, among other things:

•

Deloitte’s historical and recent performance on the ITW audit;

•

External data relating to audit quality and performance, including recent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) reports on Deloitte and its peer firms;

•

Deloitte’s independence;

•

The appropriateness of Deloitte’s fees, on both an absolute basis and as compared to its peer firms;

•

Deloitte’s tenure as our independent auditor and its familiarity with our global operations and businesses, accounting policies and practices and internal control over financial reporting; and

•

Deloitte’s capability and expertise in handling the breadth and complexity of our global operations.

Based on this evaluation, the Audit Committee believes that Deloitte is independent and that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to retain Deloitte to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018.

Although we are not required to do so, we believe that it is appropriate for us to request stockholder ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm. If stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will investigate the reasons for the stockholders’ rejection and reconsider the appointment. Representatives of Deloitte will be present at our Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement and respond to questions.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of

Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Proposal 3 - Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

In accordance with the recommendation by the Board and the preference expressed by our stockholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting, the Company has an advisory vote on executive compensation annually. The Company is seeking your advisory vote on our executive compensation, as disclosed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section, the compensation tables and any related material disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules. The Compensation Committee will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation, but because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Compensation Committee, the Board or the Company.

We believe that our executive compensation program is competitive and strongly aligned with our strategic performance goals and the long-term interests of our stockholders. Our compensation program and structure are more fully described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “NEO Compensation” sections of this proxy statement. We encourage you to closely review this information before voting on the compensation we paid to our NEOs in 2017.

We ask our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our NEOs by voting “FOR” the following resolution:

Resolved, that the compensation of the named executive officers of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (the “Company”) as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” in the Summary Compensation Table, the related compensation tables and the related narrative disclosures in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting, is hereby approved.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of

the Company’s named executive officers.

Proposal 4 - Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal to Change the Ownership Threshold to Call Special Stockholder Meetings

The Company has been notified that John Chevedden intends to present the following proposal for consideration at the 2018 Annual Meeting. The address and number of shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Chevedden will be promptly provided upon oral or written request made to our Corporate Secretary.

You should read carefully the description of the proposal. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

Stockholder Proposal and Supporting Statement

Proposal 4 - Special Shareholder Meeting Improvement

Resolved, Shareowners ask our board to take the steps necessary (unilaterally if possibly) to amend our bylaws and each appropriate governing document to give holders in the aggregate of 10% of our outstanding common stock the power to call a special shareowner meeting. In other words this proposal asks for adoption of the most shareholder-friendly version of the shareholder right to call a special meeting as permitted by state law. This proposal does not impact our board’s current power to call a special meeting.

This proposal topic won more than 70%-support at Edwards Lifesciences and SunEdison in 2013. A shareholder right to call a special meeting and to act by written consent and are 2 complimentary ways to bring an important matter to the attention of both management and shareholders outside the annual meeting cycle such as the election of directors.

Illinois Tool Works shareholders have no right to act by written consent and do not have the full right to call a special meeting that is available under state law. Since we have no right to act by written consent it is all the more important to have the full right to call a special meeting available under state law.

If shareholders had the full right to call a special meeting, as called for in this proposal, shareholders would have a greater ability to engage our Board to improve the qualifications of our directors and make sure that the Board of Directors is continually refreshed with new diverse talent in order to maintain director independence – since a special meeting can be called in regard to the election of directors.

Please vote to improve management accountability to shareholders:

Special Shareholder Meeting Improvement – Proposal 4

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition

Our Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.

After careful consideration, and informed by dialogue with our stockholders on this topic, the Board believes the shareholder proposal to lower the threshold for holders of our common stock to call a special meeting is not in the best interests of ITW and its stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws currently provide that any person or persons holding at least 20% of the Company’s common stock outstanding may call a special meeting upon written request to our secretary. The Board believes that this 20% threshold is reasonable, appropriate and aligned with our stockholders’ interests. The current threshold strikes an appropriate balance between assuring that stockholders have the ability to call a special meeting and protecting against the risk that a small minority of our stockholders, including those with special interests, could trigger the expense and distraction of a special meeting to pursue matters that are not widely viewed as requiring immediate attention or for reasons that may not be in the best interests of the Company or all of our stockholders.

Our current threshold of 20% is well within the mainstream, below 25%, which is the most common threshold for special meeting rights at public companies. In addition, our 20% threshold is equal to or lower than the comparable threshold adopted by approximately 83% of Delaware corporations in the S&P 500 Index that permit shareholders to call a special meeting (which only 55% of such corporations permit at all).

We believe that a special shareholder meeting should only be convened to discuss extraordinary events when fiduciary, strategic or similar considerations dictate the matter be addressed prior to the next annual meeting. Convening a special meeting imposes substantial legal, administrative and distribution costs and requires a significant commitment of time and focus from the Company’s Board and senior management, distracting them from their primary focus of maximizing long-term financial returns and operating our business in the best interests of stockholders.

A 10% threshold is not in the best interests of ITW’s stockholders. A threshold that low could permit a small group of stockholders to use the extraordinary measure of calling a special meeting to serve the group’s narrow self-interests at the expense of the vast majority of the stockholders and the Company. For example, event-driven hedge funds or other activists could pursue a special meeting with the goal of disrupting our business or proposing issues that facilitate their own short-term aims. This concern is heightened if such stockholders can borrow shares from other stockholders for the sole purpose of meeting the required threshold necessary to call a special meeting. Based on our stockholder base over the last several years, a 10% group could have meant just one or two stockholders. The Board believes that if fewer than 20% of the shares desire a special meeting, then the need for a special meeting has not been demonstrated, and that a 20% threshold ensures that a meaningful percentage of our stockholders agree on the need for a special meeting before a special meeting is called.

Our stockholders’ right to vote on significant matters is already protected by state law and other regulations. As a Delaware corporation, ITW is required to have all major corporate actions, such as mergers, a sale of all or substantially all of our assets or increases or decreases in authorized shares, approved by stockholders. As a New York Stock Exchange listed company, ITW is also required to, among other things, obtain shareholder approval for equity compensation plans, significant issuances of securities to related parties or when such issuances represent more than 20% of the Company’s voting power.

The Board also believes that adoption of this proposal is unnecessary because ITW is committed to high standards of corporate governance and active engagement, transparency and accountability to stockholders. The Board recommended the adoption of a special meeting right with a 20% threshold in 2016, responsive to shareholder support for a proposal at a 20% threshold that was supported by the Company the previous year. In 2015, following extensive engagement with our stockholders throughout the year, our Board proactively amended the Company’s by-laws to adopt a proxy access shareholder right. In 2014, our Board took action to eliminate all supermajority provisions applicable to common stockholders. Our directors are elected annually and, in an uncontested election, must be elected by a “majority of the votes cast” standard or offer their resignation. In addition, the Board has created a process for stockholders to communicate directly with our non-management directors outside the annual meeting cycle, which is described above under the heading “How to Communicate with Our Directors.” More information about ITW’s corporate governance practices and policies can be found under “Corporate Governance Highlights” and “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices.”

Notably, we believe that our stockholders should agree that the current 20% threshold is appropriate. In 2018, we invited holders of approximately 51% of our shares to engage with us regarding our corporate governance, and investors holding in the aggregate approximately 40% of our shares accepted our invitation. A majority of these investors informed us that they are comfortable with a 20% special meeting threshold and either do not support or are inclined not to support the proposal to reduce it.

In light of the strong stockholder rights already in place, including the right for stockholders of 20% to call a special meeting, and the Board’s demonstrated commitment to establishing good governance practices, the Board believes that adoption of this proposal is not necessary and could be disruptive to the Company’s operations and permit the special interests of a small group of stockholders to exert undue influence.

For the foregoing reasons, the Board of Directors believes this proposal is not in

the best interests of the Company or our stockholders and unanimously recommends

a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

Proposal 5 - Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal to Set Company-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets

The Company has been notified that Joan Nonie Brady, c/o Trillium Asset Management LLC; and The Comptroller of the City of New York, as the custodian and trustee of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, the New York City Fire Pension Fund, the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System, and the New York City Policy Pension Fund, and custodian of the New York City Board of Education Retirement System, intend to present the following proposal for consideration at the 2018 Annual Meeting. The address and number of shares of the Company’s common stock held by the co-proponents will be promptly provided upon oral or written request made to our Corporate Secretary.

You should read carefully the description of the proposal. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

Stockholder Proposal and Supporting Statement

Resolved: Shareholders request Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (ITW) adopt time-bound, quantitative, company-wide, science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and report annually, at reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information, on its plans and progress towards achieving these targets.

Supporting Statement: The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, agreed to by 195 countries, established a target to limit global temperature increases to 2-degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To meet the 2-degree goal and mitigate the worst effects of climate change, climate scientists estimate it is necessary to reduce global emissions 55 percent by 2050 (relative to 2010 levels), entailing a US reduction target of 80 percent.

For the US to meet this, or any other reduction goal, businesses must play a part. The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures recommends that companies disclose targets and performance against targets to measure and manage climate risks.

ITW has undertaken various initiatives to reduce emissions, yet reports a 12% increase in GHG emissions per unit of revenue from 2012 to 2016. This indication of inefficiency calls into question the efficacy and ambition of the company’s initiatives. Setting GHG reduction targets would enable shareholders to better evaluate emissions performance trends and the effectiveness of ITW’s strategies.

We encourage ITW to work with the Science-Based Targets Initiative, which provides third-party verification, to set science-based goals. Over 312 global businesses currently do so. The investor group, Climate Action 100+ intends to engage the world’s largest emitters to reduce emissions consistent with the Paris Agreement—essentially setting science-based goals.

More broadly, 50% of the S&P 500 companies have set GHG emissions reduction targets. Among these companies are many of ITW’s peers, proving it is possible to reduce emissions while growing the business:

•

Cummins — Achieved a 36% reduction in GHG intensity from 2005 to 2015 and now commits to science-based targets.

•

3M — Aims to reduce GHG emissions 50% below 2002 levels by 2025 while growing the business.

•

Johnson Controls — Reduced GHG emissions intensity 41% from 2002 to 2014 and targets an additional 15% reduction by 2020.

•

Honeywell — Set its third GHG emissions reduction goal after achieving its first two.

Companies that set targets often produce benefits to their bottom-line. In 2013, Carbon Disclosure Project and World Wildlife Fund found that four out of five companies in the S&P 500 earned a higher return on investments aimed at reducing carbon emissions than other capital investments. This study also found energy efficiency improvements earned an average return on investment of 196%, with an average payback period between two and three years. Honeywell reported its investments in energy efficiency projects will save $8 million a year.

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition

Our Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.

The Board of Directors recognizes that part of ITW’s commitment to operating responsibly in a shared world is recognizing that our operations and footprint impact that world. ITW addresses environmental management through its decentralized operations, with ongoing support and guidance from the ITW management team and Board. After careful consideration, and for the reasons noted below, the Board has determined that the above shareholder proposal is not in the best interests of ITW and its stockholders.

First, ITW has a strong demonstrated commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). We are committed to operating our business in a way that demonstrates our dedication to global environmental sustainability. We are also committed to transparency to our customers and stockholders. In 2009, we formally recognized this commitment with the establishment of our CSR initiative and the first release of our annual CSR report. Our annual CSR report is available on our website and continues to be enhanced each year, containing detailed information regarding our ongoing commitment to CSR and related disclosures.

Second, the Board believes that ITW’s management and Board are best positioned to structure, monitor and adjust ITW’s sustainability efforts in the manner that best serves the interests of the Company and all of ITW’s stakeholders. The Board is responsible for overall risk oversight of the Company, which includes ITW’s strategic priorities as well as policies and goals related to environmental, social and governance matters. ITW’s Board receives periodic updates regarding the Company’s CSR activities and initiatives. Furthermore, the Board and management are dedicated to continuing to advance ITW’s commitment to global environmental sustainability and recognize the value in emissions disclosures and related environmental programs. The highly-prescriptive nature of the shareholder proposal is not the best way for sustainability programs and related goals to be achieved, particularly given the Company’s demonstrated commitment to CSR initiatives noted above. In the Board’s view, ITW’s commitments to CSR are best accomplished through CSR strategies developed internally because management, with oversight by the Board, is best positioned to determine how to drive sustainability within the Company.

Third, ITW is a highly decentralized company and, therefore, believes that specific sustainability goals, targets and initiatives at ITW divisions are most effectively established and managed “bottom-up” at each of our divisions rather than “top down” from the corporate center. Our CSR initiatives are designed to maintain a careful balance between our Board’s and management’s commitment to the environment and the flexibility required by our Company’s structure. ITW’s highly decentralized structure is a critical element of ITW’s differentiated business model, and this structure drives accountability and results. Our businesses are responsible for managing their own performance and implementing the most impactful opportunities for their unique operations, and they thrive in our “flexibility within the framework” culture. Our businesses are clear about what is expected of them with respect to our business model, strategy and core values, including with respect to the priority of CSR across all ITW businesses. We believe our environmental commitment is strengthened by decentralization because it gives our businesses the flexibility to develop sustainable, innovative approaches best suited for their unique operations, in accordance with the ITW Environmental and

Safety Policy and the ITW Sustainability Policy that are subject to the ongoing oversight by ITW’s management and Board.

We believe our approach has produced demonstrated results. A specific example of recent sustainability efforts by our individual divisions is in our ITW Engineered Fasteners & Components business that serves the automotive industry. The division evaluated high energy using equipment and installed variable frequency drives on some of its injection molding equipment to reduce overall energy use. From this single improvement, an annual kilowatt hour savings of 446,021 (the equivalent of annual usage by 41 US homes) is estimated. Another example of sustainability actions is within our ITW Ground Support Equipment division, which now offers its customers a battery-powered ground power unit, which is estimated to reduce CO₂ emissions by 90% and NO_x emissions by 95% as compared to a T3 diesel-based engine. These are merely two examples that demonstrate ITW’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, both in minimizing our own GHG emissions as well as helping our customers use our products to minimize their emissions.

Fourth, ITW already annually tracks and publishes environmental data, including GHG emissions, energy usage, GHG emissions intensity indicators, total water withdrawn, sustainability, and other relevant data. In addition, for the last ten years, we have participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project (“CDP”), an independent, non-profit organization that currently has 482 of the 500 largest global companies reporting their emissions data to it. We are committed to transparency to our customers and stockholders, and we have made and continue to make a broad set of disclosures regarding environmental, social and governance matters. Moreover, our total GHG emissions and GHG emissions intensity are below the average of our peer group, and two of the companies mentioned by the proponents are the highest GHG emitters in our peer group by a wide margin. Because of the specific business segments in which we operate, two of the leading environmental and social scorecards do not consider ITW’s GHG emissions to be a material environmental issue.

Notably, we believe our stockholders should agree with ITW’s approach to this important topic and place more confidence in a management team and company that have consistently delivered on our commitments than on the imposition of a prescriptive approach by a third party. Shareholder proposals similar to the above proposal that were submitted to our peer companies during the past two proxy seasons did not pass. Moreover, we regularly engage with our stockholders regarding a variety of topics, including CSR. We invited holders of approximately 51% of our shares, represented by 23 investors, to engage with us regarding this proposal, among other topics. Eleven investors, holding in the aggregate 40.3% of our shares, accepted our invitation. A majority of these investors informed us that they either do not support or are not inclined to support shareholder proposals that prescriptively require sustainability goals and targets, understanding that management and the Board should be responsible for determining company-appropriate objectives.

In conclusion, our current framework has produced an effective balance between the needs of our business and strong commitment to the environment that is evident in our established policies, practices, and procedures. Thus, the Board believes that the proposal suggests action that is counterproductive.

For the foregoing reasons, the Board of Directors believes this proposal is not in

the best interests of the Company or our stockholders and unanimously recommends

a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

Other Information

Voting Information

What am I voting on and how does the Company’s Board recommend that I vote?

The Company’s Board solicits your vote on the following proposals:



Proposal Submitted for Vote		Board Recommendation

1. The election of the directors named in this proxy statement for the upcoming year		FOR

2. The ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018		FOR

3. An advisory vote on executive compensation		FOR

4. A non-binding stockholder proposal to change the ownership threshold to call special stockholder meetings		AGAINST

5. A non-binding stockholder proposal to set Company-wide greenhouse gas emissions targets		AGAINST

Who may vote?

Stockholders at the close of business on March 6, 2018, the record date, may vote. On that date, there were 339,216,248 shares of ITW common stock outstanding.

How many votes do I have?

Each share of ITW common stock that you own entitles you to one vote.

How do I vote?

You may vote your shares in one of the following four ways:


1. By telephone:		See the instructions at www.proxyvote.com;
2. By Internet:		See the instructions at www.proxyvote.com;
3. By mail:		If you received a printed copy of these proxy materials by mail, by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card; or
4. In person:		Attend our Annual Meeting, where ballots will be provided.

If you vote by telephone or Internet, you should have your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or E-Proxy Notice, in hand when you call or go to the proxy vote website. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker that does not offer telephone or Internet voting, please complete and return your proxy card by mail.

When must I submit my vote by Internet or by phone?

If you vote by Internet or by phone, you must transmit your vote by 10:59 p.m., Central Time, on May 3, 2018.

If I hold shares through an ITW Savings and Investment 401(k) Plan, when must I submit my vote?

Shares held through an ITW 401(k) plan must be voted by 10:59 p.m., Central Time, on May 1, 2018 in order to be tabulated in time for the meeting.

How does discretionary voting authority apply?

Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you vote by proxy, the individuals named on the proxy card (your proxies) will vote your shares in the manner you indicate. If your proxy card does not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be voted as follows:

“FOR” the election of each director nominee;

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018;

“FOR” the approval of ITW’s executive compensation;

“AGAINST” the non-binding stockholder proposal to change the ownership threshold to call special stockholder meetings;

“AGAINST” the non-binding stockholder proposal to set company-wide greenhouse gas emissions targets; and

“FOR” or “AGAINST” any other properly raised matter at the discretion of Susan Crown, James A. Skinner and Pamela B. Strobel, or any one of them.

Beneficial Owners. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a nominee and you do not provide your broker or nominee with voting instructions, the broker or nominee may represent your shares at the meeting for purposes of obtaining a quorum, but it may not exercise discretion to vote your shares at the meeting unless the proposal is considered a routine matter. The only matter being proposed for stockholder vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting that is considered a routine matter is the proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018. As a result, in the absence of voting instructions from you, your broker or nominee will not have discretion to vote on any other matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner, it is important that you provide instructions to your bank, broker or other holder of record so that your vote is counted.

May I revoke my proxy?

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at our Annual Meeting in one of four ways:

1. Notify our Secretary in writing before our Annual Meeting that you wish to revoke your proxy;

2. Submit another proxy with a later date;

3. Vote by telephone or Internet after you have given your proxy; or

4. Vote in person at our Annual Meeting.

Why didn’t I receive a paper copy of the proxy statement and annual report?

Unless our stockholders have requested paper copies, we are furnishing proxy materials through the Internet. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (E-Proxy Notice) by mail or electronically, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you specifically request one. Instead, the E-Proxy Notice provides instructions on how you may access and review our proxy materials online. The E-Proxy Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy via the Internet. If you received the E-Proxy Notice and would still like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials without charge, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the E-Proxy Notice.

I have received paper copies—how do I receive future proxy materials electronically?

To sign up to receive stockholder communications electronically, follow the instructions on your proxy card or E-Proxy Notice under “Vote by Internet.” You will need the 16-digit number that is printed in the

box marked by the arrow g, which appears on your proxy card or E-Proxy notice. This 16-digit number is sometimes called the control number. In order to receive the communications electronically, you must have an e-mail account and access to the Internet. If you own your shares through a broker or other nominee, you may contact them directly to request electronic access. Your consent to electronic access will be effective until you revoke it. You may revoke your consent by going to www.proxyvote.com and using the 16-digit number that is printed in the box marked by the arrow g to complete the revocation.

What does it mean if I receive more than one E-Proxy Notice or set of proxy materials?

Your shares are likely registered differently or are in more than one account. For each notice, proxy and/or voting instruction card or e-mail notification you receive that has a 16-digit number, you must vote separately to ensure that all shares you own are voted.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of ITW shares entitled to vote at our Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum. Your shares will be considered part of the quorum if you return a signed and dated proxy card or if you vote by telephone or Internet. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as “shares present” at the meeting for purposes of determining if a quorum exists. A broker non-vote occurs when your bank, broker or other holder of record holding shares for you as the beneficial owner submits a proxy that does not indicate a vote as to a non-routine proposal because that holder has not received voting instructions from you and, therefore, does not have voting authority for that proposal.

What vote is required to approve each proposal, assuming a quorum is present?

Election of Directors: The number of shares voted “FOR” a director must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” that director to constitute approval by the stockholders.

Ratification of the Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote will constitute approval by the stockholders.

Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote on ITW’s Executive Compensation: The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote will constitute approval by the stockholders.

Approval of Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal to Change the Ownership Threshold to Call Special Stockholder Meetings. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote will constitute approval by the stockholders.

Approval of Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal to Set Company-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote will constitute approval by the stockholders.

What is the effect of a broker non-vote generally and on each proposal?

A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee does not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have the discretion to direct the voting of the shares. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of calculating whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, but they will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote with respect to a particular proposal. Broker non-votes will not, therefore, impact our ability to obtain a quorum and will have no effect on the election of directors, ratification of the appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, approval of ITW’s executive compensation, or approval of the non-binding stockholder proposals.

What if I “abstain” from voting?

An abstention on the election of directors will have no effect on the outcome. An abstention on the other proposals will have the effect of a vote against those proposals.

Who pays to prepare, mail and solicit the proxies?

We will pay the cost of solicitation of proxies including preparing, printing and mailing this proxy statement and the E-Proxy Notice. We will also authorize brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees and other nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of ITW common stock. Upon request, we will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses. Also, for a fee of $25,000 plus approved out-of-pocket expenses, Alliance Advisors, LLC assisted us with our shareholder engagement process and may assist us in soliciting proxies. In addition, our officers, directors and employees may solicit proxies in person, by mail, by telephone or otherwise.

Submitting Proxy Proposals and Director Nominations for the 2019 Annual Meeting

How do I submit a stockholder proposal for the 2019 Annual Meeting?

To be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our May 2019 Annual Meeting, a stockholder proposal must be received no later than November 23, 2018. Your proposal must be in writing and must comply with the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You should send your proposal to our Secretary at our address on the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders immediately following the cover of this proxy statement.

You also may submit a proposal that you do not want included in the proxy statement, but that you want to raise at our May 2019 Annual Meeting. We must receive your proposal in writing on or after January 4, 2019, but no later than February 3, 2019. As detailed in the advance notice procedures described in our by-laws, for a proposal other than the nomination of a director to be properly brought before an annual meeting, your notice of proposal must include: (1) your name and address, as well as the name and address of the beneficial owner of the shares, if any; (2) the number of shares of ITW stock owned beneficially and of record by you and any beneficial owner as of the date of the notice (which information must be supplemented as of the record date); (3) a description of certain agreements, arrangements or understandings entered into by you or any beneficial owner with respect to the shares (which information must be supplemented as of the record date) or the business proposed to be brought before the meeting; (4) any other information regarding you or any beneficial owner that would be required under the SEC’s proxy rules and regulations; and (5) a brief description of the business you propose to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting that business at the meeting, and any material interest that you or any beneficial owner has in that business.

Does ITW allow stockholders to have proxy access for the nomination of directors?

Yes. The Board has adopted proxy access bylaw provisions to permit stockholders to include nominees in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy. See “How do I use proxy access to nominate a director candidate to be included in ITW’s 2019 Proxy Statement?” below.

How do I use proxy access to nominate a director candidate to be included in ITW’s 2019 Proxy Statement?

Any stockholder or group of up to 20 stockholders meeting our continuous ownership requirement of 3% or more of our common stock for at least 3 years, who wishes to nominate a candidate or

candidates for election in connection with our 2019 Annual Meeting and require us to include such nominees in our proxy statement and form of proxy, must submit such nomination and request so that it is received by our Secretary on or after January 4, 2019 but no later than February 3, 2019. The number of candidates that may be so nominated is limited to the greater of two or the largest whole number that does not exceed 25% of the Board. Recallable loaned shares count as owned for purposes of meeting the continuous ownership requirement, but each stockholder in the requesting group must have full voting and investment rights as well as economic interest in their shares at the time of nomination, record date and meeting date. Two or more investment funds that are part of the same family of funds or sponsored by the same employer will count as one stockholder for purposes of determining the size of the group. All proxy access nominations must be accompanied by information about the nominating stockholders as well as the nominees and meet the requirements as specified in Article II, Section 12 of our by-laws, which include but are not limited to the information specified under “How do I nominate a director candidate who would not be included in ITW’s Proxy Statement?” below.

How do I nominate a director candidate who would not be included in ITW’s Proxy Statement?

If you wish to nominate an individual for election as a director at our May 2019 Annual Meeting, our Secretary must receive your written nomination on or after January 4, 2019, but no later than February 3, 2019. As detailed in the advance notice procedures described in our by-laws, for a nomination to be properly brought before an annual meeting, your notice of nomination must include: (1) your name and address, as well as the name and address of the beneficial owner of the shares, if any; (2) the number of shares of ITW stock owned beneficially and of record by you and any beneficial owner as of the date of the notice (which information must be supplemented as of the record date); (3) a description of certain agreements, arrangements or understandings entered into by you or any beneficial owner with respect to the shares (which information must be supplemented as of the record date); (4) the name, age and home and business addresses of the nominee; (5) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee; (6) the number of shares of ITW stock that the nominee beneficially owns; (7) a statement that the nominee is willing to be nominated and serve as a director; (8) a statement as to whether the nominee, if elected, intends to tender his or her resignation in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines; (9) an undertaking to provide any other information required to determine the eligibility of the nominee to serve as an independent director or that could be material to stockholders’ understanding of the nominee’s independence; and (10) any other information regarding you, any beneficial owner or the nominee that would be required under the SEC’s proxy rules and regulations had our Board of Directors nominated the individual. Any nomination that you make must be approved by our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, as well as by our Board of Directors. The process for the selection of director candidates is described under “Proposal 1 — Election of Directors — Corporate Governance Policies and Practices — Director Candidate Selection Process.”

APPENDIX A

CATEGORICAL STANDARDS FOR DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

I. Introduction

To be considered independent, a director of the Company must meet all of the following Categorical Standards for Director Independence. In addition, a director who is a member of the Company’s Audit Committee must meet the heightened criteria set forth below in Section IV to be considered independent for the purposes of membership on the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors must also consider the factors described in Section V for any director who is a member of the Compensation Committee. These categorical standards may be amended from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Directors who do not meet these categorical standards for independence can also make valuable contributions to the Company and its Board of Directors by reason of their knowledge and experience.

In addition, if a director meets the standards set forth below, a director will not be considered independent unless the Board of Directors of the Company affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company). In making its determination, the Board of Directors shall broadly consider all relevant facts and circumstances. Material relationships can include commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships, among others. For this purpose, the Board does not need to reconsider relationships of the type described in Section III below if such relationships do not bar a determination of independence in accordance with Section III below.

II. Definitions

An “immediate family member” includes a person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares such person’s home. When considering the application of the three-year period referred to in each of paragraphs III.1 through III.5 below, the Company need not consider individuals who are no longer immediate family members as a result of legal separation or divorce, or those who have died or become incapacitated.

The “Company” includes any subsidiary in its consolidated group.

III. Standards for Directors

The following standards have been established to determine whether a director of the Company is independent:

A director who is an employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer, of the Company is not independent until three years after the end of such employment relationship. Employment as an interim Chairman or CEO shall not disqualify a director from being considered independent following that employment.

A director who receives, or whose immediate family member receives, more than $120,000 during any twelve-month period in direct compensation from the Company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service), is not independent until three years after he or she ceases to receive more than $120,000 during any twelve-month period in such compensation. Compensation received by a director for former service as an interim Chairman or CEO need not be considered in determining independence

A-1

under this test. Compensation received by an immediate family member for service as a non-executive employee of the Company need not be considered in determining independence under this test.

A director who is a current partner or employee of a firm that is the Company’s internal or external auditor, or whose immediate family member is a current partner of such a firm, is not independent. A director who is or was, or whose immediate family member is or was, a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on the Company’s audit within the last three years is not independent.

A director who is employed, or whose immediate family member is employed, as an executive officer of another company where any of the Company’s present executives serve on that company’s compensation committee is not independent until three years after the end of such service or the employment relationship.

A director who is an executive officer or an employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer, of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, is not independent until three years after falling below such threshold.¹

6.	Stock ownership in the Company by directors is encouraged and the ownership of a significant amount of stock, by itself, does not bar a director from being independent.

IV. Standards for Audit Committee Members

In addition to satisfying the criteria set forth in Section III above, directors who are members of the Company’s Audit Committee will not be considered independent for purposes of membership on the Audit Committee unless they satisfy the following criteria:

A director who is a member of the Audit Committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors, or any other Board committee, accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the Company, provided that, unless the rules of the New York Stock Exchange provide otherwise, compensatory fees do not include the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior service with the Company (provided that such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service).

2.	A director, who is a member of the Audit Committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors, or any other Board committee, be an affiliated person of the Company.

3.	If an Audit Committee member simultaneously serves on the audit committees of more than three public companies, the Board must determine that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee.

In applying this test, both the payments and the consolidated gross revenues to be measured shall be those reported in the last completed fiscal year. The look-back provision for this test applies solely to the financial relationship between the Company and the director or immediate family member’s current employer; the Company need not consider former employment of the director or immediate family member. Charitable organizations shall not be considered “companies” for purposes of this test, provided however that the Company shall disclose in its annual proxy statement any charitable contributions made by the Company to any charitable organization in which a director serves as an executive officer if, within the preceding three years, contributions in any single fiscal year exceeded the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such charitable organization’s consolidated gross revenues.

A-2

V. Standards for Compensation Committee Members

In addition to satisfying the criteria set forth in Section III above, in determining the independence of directors who are members of the Company’s Compensation Committee, the Board will consider all factors relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to the Company that is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a Compensation Committee member, including but not limited to:

1.	the source of compensation of the director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the Company to the director; and

2.	whether the director is affiliated with the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or an affiliate of a subsidiary of the Company.

A-3

APPENDIX B

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

Adjusted After-Tax Return on Average Invested Capital (Unaudited)

The Company uses adjusted after-tax return on average invested capital (“ROIC”) to measure the effectiveness of its operations’ use of invested capital to generate profits. ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is a meaningful metric to investors in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and may be different than the method used by other companies to calculate ROIC. For comparability, the Company excluded the $658 million income tax charge from the effective tax rate and the $95 million confidential legal settlement from the calculation of ROIC for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the $36 million discrete tax charge for the year ended December 31, 2012. Additionally, the Company excluded the operating income of the former Decorative Surfaces segment from the after-tax operating income for the year ended December 31, 2012. Adjusted average invested capital represents the net assets of the Company, excluding cash and equivalents and outstanding debt, which are excluded as they do not represent capital investment in the Company’s operations, as well as the Company’s net investment in the former Industrial Packaging segment and the equity investment in the Wilsonart business (formerly the Decorative Surfaces segment). Average invested capital is calculated using balances at the start of the period and at the end of each quarter. ROIC for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2012 was as follows:


Dollars in millions	2017		2016		2015		2012
Operating income	$	3,494	$	3,064	$	2,867	$	2,475
Less: Legal settlement income		(95)		—		—		—
Less: Adjustment for Decorative Surfaces		—		—		—		(143)

Adjusted operating income		3,399		3,064		2,867		2,332
Tax rate		28.3%		30.0%		30.1%		29.2%
Income taxes		(961)		(919)		(864)		(681)

Operating income after taxes	$	2,438	$	2,145	$	2,003	$	1,651

Invested capital:
Trade receivables	$	2,628	$	2,357	$	2,203	$	2,742
Inventories		1,220		1,076		1,086		1,585
Net plant and equipment		1,778		1,652		1,577		1,994
Goodwill and intangible assets		6,024		6,021		5,999		7,788
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(1,848)		(1,713)		(1,585)		(2,068)
Other, net		21		223		280		773

Total invested capital	$	9,823	$	9,616	$	9,560	$	12,814


Average invested capital	$	10,005	$	9,780	$	9,943	$	13,140
Adjustment for Wilsonart (formerly the Decorative Surfaces segment)		—		(91)		(123)		(274)
Adjustment for Industrial Packaging		—		—		—		(1,504)

Adjusted average invested capital	$	10,005	$	9,689	$	9,820	$	11,362

Adjusted return on average invested capital		24.4%		22.1%		20.4%		14.5%

B-1

A reconciliation of the 2017 effective tax rate excluding the discrete tax charge related to the 2017 U.S. tax legislation is as follows:


	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
	Income Taxes		Tax Rate
As reported	$	1,583		48.4%
Discrete tax charge related to 2017 U.S. tax legislation		(658)		(20.1)%

As adjusted	$	925		28.3%

A reconciliation of the 2012 effective tax rate to the adjusted tax rate excluding the discrete tax charge is as follows:


Dollars in millions	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Income Taxes		Tax Rate
As reported	$	973		30.3%
Discrete tax charge		(36)		(1.1)%

As adjusted	$	937		29.2%

2017 Adjusted Net Income Per Share - Diluted (Unaudited)


	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
As reported	$	4.86
Discrete tax charge related to 2017 U.S. tax legislation		(1.90)
Confidential legal settlement		0.17

As adjusted for the tax charge and legal settlement	$	6.59

2012 Adjusted Income Per Share from Continuing Operations - Diluted (Unaudited)


	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
As reported	$	4.72
Decorative Surfaces net gain		1.34
Decorative Surfaces equity interest		(0.04)
Decorative Surfaces operating results		0.21

As adjusted for the Decorative Surfaces business	$	3.21

B-2

LOGO

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

ATTN: SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS

155 HARLEM AVENUE

GLENVIEW, IL 60025

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 10:59 p.m., Central Daylight Time, on May 3, 2018. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 10:59 p.m., Central Daylight Time, on May 3, 2018. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

SHAREHOLDER MEETING REGISTRATION:

Shareholders and proxy holders must register to attend the meeting and obtain a registration confirmation (a “ticket”) in advance. You must bring your ticket to the meeting to gain entrance. To register to attend the meeting, go to the “Register for Meeting” link at www.proxyvote.com. Requests for tickets will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

E38273-P01614-Z71697-Z71698 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.


ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR all nominees:

1. Election of Directors	For	Against	Abstain

1a. Daniel J. Brutto	☐	☐	☐

1b. Susan Crown	☐	☐	☐

1c. James W. Griffith	☐	☐	☐

1d. Jay L. Henderson	☐	☐	☐

1e. Richard H. Lenny	☐	☐	☐

1f. E. Scott Santi	☐	☐	☐

1g. James A. Skinner	☐	☐	☐

1h. David B. Smith, Jr.	☐	☐	☐

1i. Pamela B. Strobel	☐	☐	☐

1j. Kevin M. Warren	☐	☐	☐

1k. Anré D. Williams	☐	☐	☐

For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.			☐



The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals:		For	Against	Abstain

2.	Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as ITW’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018;	☐	☐	☐

3.	Advisory vote to approve compensation of ITW’s named executive officers;	☐	☐	☐

The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the following proposals:		For	Against	Abstain

4.	A non-binding stockholder proposal, if presented at the meeting, to change the ownership threshold to call special meetings; and	☐	☐	☐

5.	A non-binding stockholder proposal, if presented at the meeting, to set Company-wide greenhouse gas emissions targets.	☐	☐	☐

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign by authorized officer and give full title.




Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]		Date




Signature (Joint Owners)		Date

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

10:00 A.M. CDT

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

155 HARLEM AVENUE

GLENVIEW, IL 60025

ENTER THE CAMPUS FROM 150 WAUKEGAN ROAD AT OVERLOOK DRIVE.

SIGNAGE WILL DIRECT YOU TO THE MEETING.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice, Proxy Statement and Annual Report/Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

E38274-P01614-Z71697-Z71698

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

May 4, 2018

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned stockholder of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (“ITW”) hereby appoints Susan Crown, James A. Skinner, and Pamela B. Strobel, or any of them, with full power of substitution, to act as proxies at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ITW to be held in Glenview, Illinois on May 4, 2018 with authority to vote as directed by this Proxy Card at the meeting,and any adjournments of the meeting, all shares of common stock of ITW registered in the name of the undersigned.If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of each director nominee under Proposal 1;FOR Proposals 2 and 3; AGAINST Proposals 4 and 5; and FOR or AGAINST any other properly raised matter at the discretion of the proxies.

If the undersigned is a participant in the ITW Savings and Investment Plan or the ITW Bargaining Savings and Investment Plan, the undersigned is also instructing the trustee of those plans to vote the shares of ITW common stock attributable to the undersigned in such plans as instructed on the reverse side and, in the discretion of the trustee, upon such other business as may come before the meeting, and if no instructions are given, the trustee will vote the shares in the same proportion as the shares for which voting instructions have been received.

(If you noted a change of address and/or comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

IMPORTANT – THIS PROXY CARD MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.