MINNEAPOLIS, MN-Prestwick Partners LLC (“Prestwick”) is pleased to announce the sale of North Star Imaging, Inc. (“NSI”) of Rogers, Minnesota, to Illinois Tool Works Inc. of Glenview, Illinois. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Prestwick Partners, LLC acted as the exclusive advisor to North Star Imaging, Inc.

North Star Imaging Inc. (www.4nsi.com) is a leading developer and manufacturer of nondestructive testing systems and software for industrial and research applications. NSI develops technologies that allow its customers to advance innovation through the use of state-of-the-art computed tomography and digital radiography imaging systems. The company’s products, primarily marketed under the X-View, ImagiX and eXpress-CT brands, utilize advanced methodologies to nondestructively produce images of objects with exceptional resolution and contrast. NSI’s systems are widely used by industry leading customers in diverse markets, including life sciences, military/defense, aerospace, security, research/education, industrial and electronics, among others.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (www.itwinc.com), with $13.9 billion in 2009 revenues, is a multi-national manufacturer of a diversified range of value-adding and short-lead time industrial products and equipment. The company consists of nearly 800 business units in 57 countries and employs approximately 59,000 people.