NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 19, 2003--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that its ratings and outlook on The Stanley Works (A/Negative/A-1) remain unchanged following the company's announced offer to acquire Blick plc, a U.K. provider of security solutions, for a value of $165 million. This transaction further advances Stanley's plan to reposition its business portfolio, and follows the company's recently announced agreement to acquire Chicago Steel Tape Co., which manufactures leveling and measuring equipment, for $62 million, and its agreement to sell its residential entry door business for $160 million. These acquisitions should strengthen Stanley's already leading position in tools and leverage the security solutions platform created by its 2002 Best Lock Corp. acquisition; however, Standard&
