Stokvis Tape Group B.V., based in the Netherlands, was a portfolio company of Gilde Buyout Partners, one of continental Europe’s most active private equity investors, with more than €2 billion of capital under management. Stokvis is a global leader in die-cut adhesive components for applications in a wide range of industries, operating twenty-six facilities strategically located throughout China, India, Eastern and Western Europe. Silvergrove’s CEO initiated and executed a highly strategic transaction between Stokvis and Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW), a Fortune 500 company with annual revenues of more than $16 billion and 825 business units in 52 countries. Silvergrove’s CEO had previously represented M&C Specialties Company, a leading competitor to Stokvis, in a strategic sale to ITW. The combination of Stokvis and M&C under ITW’s ownership created the leading global platform for addressing the expanding worldwide revenue opportunity in die-cut adhesives and components. The transaction also achieved a successful exit for Gilde Buyout Partners on one of their largest portfolio companies.