Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is a Glenview, Illinois-based manufacturer with $16 billion-plus in annual revenue and operations across 85 business segments. That decentralized structure is the first thing diverse suppliers need to understand: there is no single ITW procurement desk. Each division sources independently, which means your path in depends on which division buys what you sell.
That said, ITW maintains a corporate-level supplier diversity commitment, and the company participates in third-party programs that give diverse suppliers a documented entry point.
ITW's supplier diversity program
ITW's supplier diversity program operates under its broader corporate responsibility framework. The company has publicly committed to growing spend with diverse suppliers, with stated goals tied to MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certified business categories. ITW does not publish a single headline spend figure the way some Fortune 500 companies do, but it reports supplier diversity metrics as part of its annual sustainability disclosures.
The program's stated focus areas are:
- Increasing sourcing from certified diverse suppliers across manufacturing inputs, packaging, tooling, and professional services
- Building a qualified diverse supplier pipeline for its U.S. divisions
- Participating in NMSDC and other third-party certification networks to identify pre-vetted candidates
Procurement decisions happen at the division level, but corporate supplier diversity staff do coordinate with division sourcing teams and can route qualified suppliers to the right business unit.
Certifications ITW recognizes
ITW recognizes the major third-party certification bodies. Holding one of these certifications is not a guarantee of business, but it is effectively a prerequisite for being taken seriously in their supplier diversity pipeline:
- MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) – issued by NMSDC regional affiliate councils
- WBE (Women's Business Enterprise) – issued by WBENC regional partner organizations
- SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) – verified through the SBA VetCert program
- VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) – also through SBA VetCert
- SBE (Small Business Enterprise) – recognized for some categories
If you are not yet certified, the NMSDC MBE and WBENC WBE certifications carry the most weight with ITW given the company's heavy participation in both organizations' events and programs. Processing times vary by affiliate: NMSDC affiliates typically take 60 to 120 days from application to approval; WBENC certification through a regional partner runs 90 to 150 days. Start before you think you need to.
Where and how to register
ITW uses the Coupa Supplier Portal for supplier onboarding and sourcing activity. Coupa is a third-party procurement platform used by many large manufacturers.
To get registered:
- Go to the Coupa Supplier Portal at supplier.coupahost.com and create a free account if you do not already have one.
- Search for Illinois Tool Works as the buying organization.
- Complete your supplier profile, including business category, NAICS codes, geographic footprint, and certifications held.
- Upload your certification documentation directly in the profile.
Beyond Coupa, ITW also receives diverse supplier referrals through the NMSDC network. If you hold an MBE certification through a regional NMSDC affiliate, your profile is accessible to ITW's corporate supplier diversity team through the NMSDC database. Keep your NMSDC profile current and complete, including revenue range, employee count, and customer references.
There is no ITW-specific diverse supplier pre-qualification form separate from Coupa. If you see third-party websites claiming to offer ITW supplier registration for a fee, ignore them.
Product and service categories ITW sources from diverse suppliers
ITW's 85-plus divisions manufacture everything from welding equipment and automotive components to food service gear and construction fasteners. Diverse supplier opportunities cluster around the inputs and services those divisions buy, not the finished goods they sell.
Categories with documented diverse supplier activity include:
Direct materials and manufacturing inputs - Metal fabrications and stampings - Plastic injection molded components - Packaging materials (corrugated, industrial wraps, labels) - Tooling and dies - Specialty chemicals and coatings
Indirect and professional services - MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) supplies - Logistics and freight (regional carriers with specialized capabilities) - Staffing and temporary labor - IT services and software - Marketing, print, and promotional materials - Facilities management and janitorial services - Legal, audit, and consulting services
If your company falls into one of these categories, the opportunity is real. If you are selling something entirely outside ITW's manufacturing ecosystem, the fit is thin regardless of certification status.
Industry events where ITW shows up
The most reliable way to meet ITW supplier diversity staff and division procurement managers in person is through NMSDC and WBENC events. ITW is a corporate member of both organizations and sends representatives to their national conferences.
Key events to target:
- NMSDC Annual Conference (held each fall, location rotates): ITW typically participates in the business opportunity exchange sessions. This is where certified MBEs can schedule 15- to 20-minute procurement meetings with corporate members.
- WBENC National Conference & Business Fair (held each summer): Similar format with a business fair where WBEs meet corporate procurement staff.
- NMSDC regional affiliate events: Because ITW has facilities across the Midwest and South, regional NMSDC affiliates in Illinois, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Ohio are worth targeting. Local events have smaller attendance and often lead to more substantive conversations than the national conference floor.
- ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Annual Conference: ITW procurement staff attend; less diverse-supplier-focused but useful for direct category conversations.
Before attending any event where ITW will be present, do two things. First, confirm ITW is registered as a corporate participant for that specific event, not just the organization generally. Second, prepare a one-page capability statement that lists your certification status, NAICS codes, key customers, and one or two relevant production or delivery metrics. "We produce 500,000 metal stampings per month with a 99.2% on-time delivery rate" is useful. "We are a full-service provider of high-quality solutions" is not.
Realistic timeline and first steps
Getting your first ITW purchase order typically takes 12 to 24 months from initial contact. That timeline reflects the combination of certification processing, internal supplier qualification steps, and the reality that ITW's divisions work on annual procurement cycles tied to engineering change processes.
Here is a practical sequence:
Months 1 to 3: Foundation - Apply for your NMSDC or WBENC certification if you do not have one. File the application now; do not wait until you feel "ready." - Register in the Coupa Supplier Portal with a complete profile. - Identify which ITW divisions are most likely to buy what you make or do. ITW's website lists its business segments by industry; cross-reference with your NAICS codes.
Months 3 to 6: Outreach - Once certified or with certification pending, contact ITW's corporate supplier diversity team directly. The contact information is in ITW's supplier diversity section on itw.com. Introduce yourself, provide your capability statement, and ask which division procurement contacts are relevant to your category. - Register with your NMSDC regional affiliate and make sure your profile in the NMSDC database is complete.
Months 6 to 12: Events and follow-up - Attend one NMSDC or WBENC event where ITW will be present. Request a scheduled procurement meeting through the event's matchmaking system, not just a walk-up conversation on the trade show floor. - Follow up within 48 hours of any meeting with a brief email recapping your capabilities and asking about a next step.
Months 12 to 24: Qualification - If a division shows interest, expect a supplier qualification process that includes financial documentation, quality certifications (ISO 9001 is common for manufacturing suppliers), insurance verification, and sometimes a facility visit. - Track your outreach by division, not by ITW as a whole. Each division runs its own process on its own timeline.
One thing that shortens the timeline consistently: an existing customer who already sells to an ITW division and can provide a referral. If you have a relationship with another Tier-1 manufacturer in ITW's supply chain, ask them directly if they can introduce you to their ITW contact.
The decentralized structure that makes ITW seem difficult to penetrate also works in your favor once you find the right division. A division procurement manager who needs what you provide can move faster than a centralized procurement committee at a company with one buying desk.
