Hamilton, Bermuda, June 1, 2005--Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (NYSE:IR), a leading diversified industrial firm, today celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the merger of Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Company and Rand Drill Company, which formed Ingersoll-Rand.
"Among business mergers of the past century, the combination of the predecessor companies of Ingersoll-Rand 100 years ago today is notable for its enduring success and legacy of achievement," said Herbert L. Henkel, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "For the past 100 years, Ingersoll-Rand people and products have contributed mightily to the advancement of global industry and commerce and, as a result, have played a vital role in worldwide economic development and social progress."
In connection with the company's annual general meeting, held today in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Henkel reflected on the company's contributions to industry and society, and prospects for future growth:
- Ingersoll-Rand's Legacy: "Our technologies have been instrumental in creating many of the world's most remarkable engineering feats and enduring symbols of economic progress, from Mount Rushmore and the Hoover Dam to the English Channel and China's Three Gorges Dam."
- Ingersoll-Rand's Influence: "Every day, we help our customers across a range of industries improve the way they do business while enhancing the well being of the lives of millions of our global citizens. Our innovationssafeguard the foods people eat, build the roads and bridges people and goods travel on, power industrial progress, and enhance the security of people and property."
- Ingersoll-Rand's Future: "Today, we are a diversified industrial company, bearing little resemblance to the heavy equipment manufacturer of our past. Yet, our passion for unleashing the power of technology to generate economic value continues to define who we are. As we step further into IR's next century, our ability to make progress possible for our customers will continue to propel our market leadership and global growth.
"For all of our historical accomplishments, we are a stronger company now than we have ever been. I would like to thank our employees around the globe for their unwavering commitment to our company and customers, and for helping to shape the success of this enterprise -- today, tomorrow and for the next 100 years."
This week, the company's approximately 40,000 employees will participate in special anniversary events at Ingersoll-Rand facilities around the globe. In addition, approximately 30 Ingersoll-Rand facilities in North America will host special events at different times during 2005 that will feature an interactive exhibit describing Ingersoll-Rand's historical achievements, present business and vision of future growth opportunities. The exhibit will be open to employees as well as invited customers, dealers, suppliers, financial analysts and other stakeholders.
For more information about the company's centennial, please visit the Ingersoll-Rand 100 anniversary web site, available at www.irco.com/ir100/.
Ingersoll-Rand is a global provider of products, services, and integrated solutions to industries as diverse as transportation, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. The company brings to bear a 100-year-old heritage of technological innovation to help companies be more productive, efficient, and innovative. Examples include cryogenic refrigeration that preserves agricultural produce worldwide; biometric security systems for airports, corporations, and government facilities; the efficient harnessing of air to drive tools and factories; and versatile, compact vehicles for construction and efficient movement of people and goods. In every line of business, Ingersoll-Rand enables companies and their customers to turn work into progress. For more information, visit www.irco.com.
Contact:
Wendy Bost (Media Contact)
(201) 573-3382
Joseph Fimbianti (Analyst Contact)
(201) 573-3113