Hartford, CT — Jan 23, 2009 — Permatex, a leader in chemical technology for automotive maintenance and repair, is marking its 100th year in business. The company was founded in 1909 by Constant A. Benoit Sr., a creative chemist, who started the business with a simple glue he developed for bonding bicycle tires. Mr. Benoit was also a motorsports enthusiast and frequently attended car races. At a 24-hour race in 1915, he noticed that many of the cars were constantly blowing head gaskets and pitting for repairs. Benoit came up with a sealant that solved the problem and launched Permatex into the automotive chemical maintenance business.

Permatex Products

Today, Permatex is the preferred choice in chemical products for motorsports teams, professional automotive technicians, performance buffs, and general automotive do-it-yourselfers. The company offers a wide range of adhesives, sealants, gasket makers, hand cleaners, lubricants, appearance products, specialty repair kits, and additives.

According to Andy Robinson, General Manager of Permatex, “We’ve come a long way since Mr. Benoit’s ground-breaking effort helped change the face of endurance racing, but that same pioneering spirit that helped to launch the Permatex brand over 100 years ago continues to drive the company today. His passion for innovation is evident in the wide range of advanced products we are now marketing, such as our Gel Twist™ and Gel Squeeze™ threadlocker delivery systems, ‘torque and go’ 1-Minute Gasket™, B-Force™ 100% biodegradable lubricant, and Low-VOC, foaming action Gasket Remover. At Permatex, we are focused on understanding what consumers need and want, and we put our efforts into R&D programs that will help us develop the next generation of new products.”

Permatex now has over 350 products and produces approximately 1,200 SKUs, providing market-specific formulations and application methods for a variety of industries, including automotive, marine, heavy duty, and off highway. The company is constantly working with automakers, parts suppliers, service parts groups, and other aftermarket companies to develop the next generation of service technology.

In addition to product development, Permatex is also focused on developing even more extensive support for its product lines and distribution partners with new packaging, bi-lingual clinics and online training for professional and student technicians, product demo videos, category management, expanded website activities, and motorsports sponsorships.

“At Permatex, we continue to deliver products that make caring for cars easier and repairs more reliable. From our performance proven chemicals and shop supplies that simplify maintenance and repair to our innovative appearance and additive products that work better and last longer, Permatex delivers best-in-the-business performance and value. As we get ready for yet another century of quality and innovation, we’d like to thank all of our customers for making Permatex the brand they trust to get the job done right,” notes Robinson.

Permatex is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of premium chemical products to the automotive maintenance and repair markets. Since 1909, Permatex has been an acknowledged leader in the development of innovative new products and services for the automotive aftermarket. Permatex markets a wide range of products under well-known ITW brand names such as Permatex®, Fast Orange®, No Touch®, NOS®, Spray Nine®, The Right Stuff®, Gel Twist®, PermaPoxy®, Ultra Bond® and Dr Bond®, Ultra Cherry®, Grez-Off®, and Earth Soap®. NOS is a registered trademark of Nitrous Oxide Systems® 2005.

Permatex currently operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the U.K. and exports products to more than 85 countries around the world. North American operations include Permatex’s headquarters in Hartford, CT, a state-of-the-art manufacturing, distribution, and technical center located in Solon, OH, and a manufacturing facility in Kansas City, KS. Permatex is a division of ITW (Illinois Tool Works Inc.), a US based, NYSE listed corporation, founded in 1912. ITW is a Fortune 200 diversified manufacturing company.

For more information: www.permatex.com