You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of IDEX Corporation which will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009,5, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, at The Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling,the Lake Forest Graduate School of Business, 1945 West Field Court, Lake Forest, Illinois 60090.60045.

Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are given in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. Included with the Proxy Statement is a copy of the Company’s 20082010 Annual Report. We encourage you to read the Annual Report. It includes information on the Company’s operations, markets, products and services, as well as the Company’s audited financial statements.

Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. Therefore, we urge you to sign, date, and promptly return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed envelope. Alternatively, you can vote over the telephone or the Internet as described on the proxy card. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you will be able to vote in person, even if you have previously submitted your proxy card, or voted by telephone or over the Internet.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of the Company. We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of IDEX Corporation (the “Company”) will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009,5, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, at The Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling,the Lake Forest Graduate School of Business, 1945 West Field Court, Lake Forest, Illinois 60090,60045, for the following purposes:

The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on February 20, 2009,23, 2011, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.

IDEX Corporation (the Company or IDEX) has prepared this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation by the Company’s Board of Directors of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009,5, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, at The Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling,the Lake Forest Graduate School of Business, 1945 West Field Court, Lake Forest, Illinois 60090.60045. The Company commenced distribution of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying materials on March 10, 2009.7, 2011.

The Company will bear the costs of preparing and mailing this Proxy Statement and other costs of the proxy solicitation made by the Company’s Board of Directors. Certain of the Company’s officers and employees may solicit the submission of proxies authorizing the voting of shares in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations, but no additional remuneration will be paid by the Company for the solicitation of those proxies. These solicitations may be made by personal interview, telephone, email or facsimile transmission. The Company has made arrangements with brokerage firms and other record holders of the Company’s Common Stock for the forwarding of proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of that stock. The Company will reimburse those brokerage firms and others for their reasonableout-of-pocket expenses in connection with this work. In addition, the Company has engaged Morrow & Co., LLC, 470 West Ave., Stamford, Connecticut to assist in proxy solicitation and collection at a cost of $5,500,$6000, plusout-of-pocket expenses.

The record of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting was taken as of the close of business on February 20, 2009,23, 2011, and each stockholder will be entitled to vote at the meeting any shares of the Company’s Common Stock held of record on that date. 79,500,97982,467,903 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were outstanding at the close of business on February 20, 2009.23, 2011. Each share entitles its holder of record to one vote on each matter upon which votes are taken at the Annual Meeting. No other securities are entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting.

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take action at the Annual Meeting. A majority of outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy will constitute a quorum. The Company will appoint election inspectors for the meeting to determine whether or not a quorum is present, and to tabulate votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting. Under certain circumstances, a broker or other nominee may have discretionary authority to vote certain shares of Common Stock if instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote. The election inspectors will treat directions to withhold authority, abstentions and broker non-votes (which occur when a broker or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because such broker or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner) as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. The electionfollowing sets forth the voting procedures for each proposal at the Annual Meeting:

Proposal 1 — Election of directors requiresDirectors.  Directors are elected by a plurality vote, and the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors of the Company for 2009 requires a majority vote, of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock present in person or represented by proxyvotes cast at the meeting.Annual Meeting. Directions to withhold authority, abstentions and abstentionsbroker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors, because directors are electeddirectors.

Proposal 2 — Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation. Approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers will require the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions will have the effect of a plurality of votes cast. Abstentionsvote against approval and broker non-votes will be treated ashave no effect on the vote.

Proposal 3 — Advisory Vote on Frequency of Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation. Approval of a frequency will require the affirmative vote of a majority of shares votedpresent in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against approval and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

Proposal 4 — Ratification of Auditors.  Approval of ratification of the appointmentauditors will require the affirmative vote of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditorsa majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the Company for 2009.matter. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against approval and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

The Company requests that you mark the accompanying proxy card to indicate your votes, sign and date it, and return it to the Company in the enclosed envelope, or vote by telephone or over the Internet as described on the proxy card. If you vote by telephone or over the Internet, you should not mail your proxy card. If your completed proxy card or telephone or Internet voting instructions are received prior to the meeting, your shares will be voted in accordance with your voting instructions. If you sign and return your proxy card but do not give voting instructions, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the Company’s nominees as directors, FOR approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, FOR the approval of a triennial frequency (i.e., every three years) for advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, FOR approval of the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors of the CompanyCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2009,2011, and in the discretion of the proxy holders as to any other business which may properly come before the meeting. Any proxy solicited hereby may be revoked by the person or persons giving it at any time before it has been exercised at the Annual Meeting by giving notice of revocation to the Company in writing prior to the meeting. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you will be able to vote in person, even if you have previously submitted your proxy card, or voted by telephone or over the Internet. The Company requests that all such written notices of revocation to the Company be addressed to Frank J. Notaro, Vice President-GeneralPresident — General Counsel and Secretary, IDEX Corporation, 630 Dundee Road,1925 West Field Court, Suite 400, Northbrook,200, Lake Forest, IL 60062.60045.

The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides for a three-class Board, with one class being elected each year for a term of three years. The Board of Directors currently consists of eightnine members, three of whom are Class III directors whose terms will expire at this year’s Annual Meeting, twothree of whom are Class IIIII directors whose terms will expire at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2010,2012, and three of whom are Class IIII directors whose terms, subject to the next sentence, will expire at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2011.2013. Neil A. Springer, a Class III director, will retire and resign from the Board on the date of the Annual Meeting. On February 22, 2011, the Board of Directors appointed Livingston Satterthwaite, effective on Mr. Springer’s resignation on the date of the Annual Meeting, to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Springer’s retirement.

The Company’s Board of Directors has nominated three individuals for election as Class III directors to serve for a three-year term expiring at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2012,2014, or upon the election and qualification of their successors. The nominees of the Board of Directors are William M. Cook, Frank S. Hermance,Bradley J. Bell, Lawrence D. Kingsley and Michael T. Tokarz.Gregory F. Milzcik. Messrs. Cook, HermanceBell, Kingsley and TokarzMilzcik are currently serving as directors of the Company. The nominees and the directors serving in Class IIIII and Class IIII whose terms expire in future years and who will serve or continue to serve after the Annual Meeting are listed below with brief statements setting forth their present principal occupations and other information, including any directorships in other public companies.companies, and particular experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills possessed by the nominees and directors that lead to the conclusion they should serve as a director.

If for any reason any of the nominees for a Class III directorship are unavailable to serve, proxies solicited hereby may be voted for a substitute. The Board, however, expects the nominees to be available.

Mr. Cook has been Chairman since August 2005, and President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2004, of Donaldson Company, Incorporated. HeBell served as SeniorExecutive Vice President International and Chief Financial Officer Donaldsonof Nalco Company Incorporated, from prior to 2004 to August 2004.2006 until his retirement in 2010. Mr. CookBell is a director of DonaldsonCompass Minerals International, Inc.

Mr. Bell’s business leadership skills, his knowledge of technology and manufacturing industries, his financial reporting expertise and his corporate governance and executive compensation experience led to the conclusion that he should serve on IDEX’s Board of Directors. For over seven years, Mr. Bell served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Nalco Company. In addition, Mr. Bell has over thirty years combined experience as an executive in the technology and manufacturing industries, including positions at Rohm and Haas Company, Incorporated.Whirlpool Corporation and Bundy Corporation. Through his experience, Mr. Bell has developed valuable financial expertise and experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and capital markets transactions. Mr. Bell has a long career in corporate finance, including more than 12 years of experience as chief financial officer of a publicly traded company, during which he obtained significant financial management and reporting expertise. He has held directorships at publicly traded companies for over 20 years, including positions as chairs of audit and compensation committees. Through his executive experience and board memberships, Mr. Bell has acquired substantial training and experience in corporate governance and executive compensation. Mr. Bell received a bachelor of science degree in finance with high honors from the University of Illinois and a master of business administration degree with distinction from Harvard University.

Mr. Bell is the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee, of the Board of Directors. Effective April 5, 2011, Mr. Bell will become a member of the Compensation Committee, and will cease to be a member of the Audit Committee, of the Board of Directors.

Mr. HermanceMilzcik has been ChairmanPresident and Chief Executive Officer of AMETEK,Barnes Group Inc. since October 2006. In 2006, prior to 2004.his appointment as President, Mr. HermanceMilzcik served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Barnes Group Inc. Mr. Milzcik is a director of AMETEK,Barnes Group Inc. He

Mr. Milzcik is a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Chandy has been Vice President Chief Marketing Officer of Rohm and HaasThe Dow Chemical Company since 2007.2010. Ms. Chandy served as Chief Marketing Officer for Rohm and Hass Company from 2007 to 2009, and as Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Excellence, and in various operating roles, at Thermo Fisher Scientific, from prior to 20042006 to 2007. She

Ms. Chandy is a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Bell has been ExecutiveMrozek served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of The ServiceMaster Company from November 2006 to his retirement in March 2008 and was President and Chief Financial Officer of Nalco Company since priorServiceMaster from January 2004 to 2004.November 2006. Mr. BellMrozek is a director of Compass Minerals International,G&K Services, Inc. He

Mr. Mrozek’s strategic and operating leadership skills, his extensive experience and expertise in the business services industry and his financial reporting expertise led to the conclusion that he should serve on IDEX’s Board of Directors. Through over 20 years of executive experience in various senior positions in general management, operations and finance at ServiceMaster, a residential and commercial service company, Mr. Mrozek developed extensive knowledge of the business services industry and gained valuable financial expertise and experience in mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining ServiceMaster in 1987, Mr. Mrozek spent 12 years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Mrozek has also acquired substantial experience in corporate governance as a director on the boards of several public and private companies. Mr. Mrozek received a bachelor of science degree in accountancy with honors from the University of Illinois and is Chairmana certified public accountant. Mr. Mrozek also serves on the boards of variousnot-for-profit organizations and charitable causes.

Mr. Mrozek is a member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors has the ultimate authority for the management of the Company’s business. In February 2009,2011, the Board affirmed the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines which, along with the charters of the Board committees, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and Standards for Director Independence, provide the framework for the governance of the Company. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines address matters such as composition, size and retirement age of the Board, Board membership criteria, the role and responsibilities of the Board, director compensation, share ownership guidelines, and the frequency of Board meetings (including meetings to be held without the presence of management). The Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets forth the guiding principles of business ethics and certain legal requirements applicable to all of the Company’s employees and directors. Copies of the current Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters of the Board committees, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and Standards for Director Independence are available on the Company’s website at www.idexcorp.com, or may be obtained by stockholders without charge by sending a written request to Heath A. Mitts, Vice President-Corporate Finance, IDEX Corporation, 630 Dundee Road, Suite 400, Northbrook, Illinois 60062.www.idexcorp.com.

The Board selects the Company’s executive officers, delegates responsibilities for the conduct of the Company’s operations to those officers, and monitors their performance. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board of Directors oversees an annual assessment of enterprise risk exposure and the management of such risk, conducted by the Company’s executives. When assessing enterprise risk, the Board focuses on the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value. Direct oversight allows the Board to assess management’s inclination for risk, to determine what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for the Company and to discuss with management the means by which to control risk. In addition, while the Board of Directors has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk management and exposure. The Audit Committee receives an annual risk assessment report from the Company’s internal auditors and reviews and discusses the Company’s financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control and report those exposures.

During 2008,2010, the Board held six meetings. The independent (non-management) directors met in regular executive sessions without management at each in-person meeting of the Board. Generally, the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee presides at the non-management executive sessions. The Board believes that its current leadership structure provides independent board leadership and engagement while deriving the benefit of having the CEO also serve as Chairman of the Board. Although there is no independent lead director, all of the non-management directors are actively engaged in shaping the Board’s agenda and the Company’s strategy. Our Chief Executive Officer, as the individual with primary responsibility for managing the Company’sday-to-day operations, is best positioned to chair regular Board meetings and to oversee discussion on business and strategic issues. Coupled with the regular executive sessions of the non-management directors, this structure provides independent oversight, including risk oversight, while facilitating the exercise of the Board’s responsibilities.

The Board has adopted standards for determining whether a director is independent from management.independent. These standards are based upon the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and applicable laws and regulations, and are available on the Company’s website as described above. The Board has affirmatively determined, based on these standards, that the following directors, three of whom are standing for election to the Board, are independent: Mr. Bell, Ms. Chandy, and Messrs. Cook, Hermance, Milzcik, SpringerMrozek, Satterthwaite and Tokarz. The Board has also determined that Mr. Kingsley, who is not standing for election to the Board, is not independent. Mr. Kingsley is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board has also determined that all Board standing committees are composed entirely of independent directors.

The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to: monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process and systems of internal control regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance; monitor the independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditorregistered public accounting firm and monitor the performance of the Company’s internal audit function; hire and fire the Company’s auditorindependent registered public accounting firm and approve any audit and non-audit work performed by the independent auditor;registered public accounting firm; provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditor,registered public accounting firm, management and the Board of Directors; prepare the report that the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission require to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement; and administer the Company’s Related Person Transactions Policy (see TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS)Transactions With Related Persons). The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Bell, Ms. Chandy, and Messrs. Cook and Springer.Mrozek. Effective April 5, 2011, Mr. Bell will cease to be a member, and Mr. Satterthwaite will become a member, of the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr.each of Messrs. Bell, Cook and Mrozek is thean “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. During 2008,2010, the Audit Committee held 1112 meetings.

The Compensation Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to: establish the Company’s compensation philosophy and structure the Company’s compensation programs to be consistent with that philosophy; establish the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other senior officers of the Company; develop and recommend to the Board of Directors compensation for the Board; and prepare the compensation committee report the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission require to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Hermance, Milzcik and Tokarz. Effective April 5, 2011, Mr. Bell will become a member of the Compensation Committee. During 2008,2010, the Compensation Committee held five meetings.

The following table furnishes information as of February 20, 2009,23, 2011, except as otherwise noted, with respect to shares of the Company’s Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each director and nominee for director, (ii) each officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, (iii) directors, nominees and executive officers of the Company as a group, and (iv) any person who is known by the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Except as indicated by the notes to the following table and with respect to Deferred Compensation Units, or DCUs issued under the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan and the IDEX Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers (the “Officers(Officers Deferred Compensation Plan”)Plan), the holders listed below have sole voting power and investment power over the shares beneficially held by them. Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the number of shares shown as beneficially owned includes shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable currently or will be exercisable within 60 days of February 20, 2009.23, 2011. Shares of Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of February 20, 2009,23, 2011, are considered to be outstanding for the purpose of determining the percentage of the shares held by a holder, but not for the purpose of computing the percentage held by others. An * indicates ownership of less than one percent of the outstanding Common Stock.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussed its contents with the Company’s management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

The Company’s executive compensation philosophy is to have a compensation program that (1) aligns the interests of management and stockholders, (2) motivates and retains the management team, and (3) results in executives holding meaningful amounts of the Company’s Common Stock.

The Company carries out its compensation philosophy by:

The material elements of 20082010 compensation for the named executive officers, or NEOs, in the Summary Compensation Table, including Lawrence D. Kingsley, who is the chief executive officer, or CEO, and Dominic A. Romeo, who iswas the chief financial officer, or CFO, are outlined below:

The Compensation Committee targets the following approximate mix of annual compensation for the CEO and other NEOs:

The Compensation Committee establishes the Company’s compensation philosophy, structures the Company’s compensation programs to be consistent with that philosophy, and approves each element of each executive officer’s compensation. In the case of the CEO, the Board ratifies compensation determinations made by the Compensation Committee are ratified by the entire Board.Committee.

The Compensation Committee performs periodic reviews of executive pay tally sheets. The tally sheets outline each executive’s annual pay — target and actual — and total accumulated wealth under various performance and

The CEO’s pay package is set by the Compensation Committee during executive session based on the financial and operating performance of the Company and the Committee’s assessment of the CEO’s individual performance. The pay packages for the other NEOs are set by the Compensation Committee based on the recommendations of the CEO to the Compensation Committee.CEO. The Compensation Committee considers the CEO’s recommendations, taking into account each NEO’sNEOs individual responsibility, experience and overall performance, as well as internal comparisons of pay within the executive group.

TheIn setting compensation, the Compensation Committee reviews the estimated accounting and tax impact of all elements of the executive compensation program. Generally, an accounting expense is accrued over the requisite service period of the particular pay element (generally equal to the performance period) and the Company realizes a tax deduction upon payment to, or realization by, the executive. The Compensation Committee has been advised that, based on current interpretations, stock options awarded under the Incentive Award Plan should satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). In addition, the Compensation Committee has been advised that Mr. Kingsley’s annual incentive compensation under the Incentive Award Plan should satisfy the requirements forperformance-based compensation under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee has been made aware that restricted stock awards (which vest based on continued employment with the Company) do not qualify as performance-based compensation and, therefore, may not be tax-deductible under Section 162(m).

A goal of the Compensation Committee is to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m). Section 162(m) limits the tax deductibility by the Company of annual compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to the CEO and any of the three other most highly compensated executive officers, other than the CFO. While the tax impact of any compensation arrangement is one factor to be considered, suchthat impact is evaluated in light of the Compensation Committee’s overall compensation philosophy and objectives. The Compensation Committee considers ways to maximize the deductibility of executive compensation, while retaining the discretion it deems necessary to compensate officers in a manner commensurate with performance and the competitive environment for executive talent. From time to time, the Compensation Committee may award compensation to the executive officers whichthat is not fully deductible if it determines that such awardthe compensation is consistent with its philosophy and is in the Company’s and stockholders’ best interests.

The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, further adjust the Business Performance Factor to account for environmental conditions and adjust for factors (such as acquisition consummation and integration)integration, and performance in a challenging economic environment) not fully reflected in the quantitative and qualitative objectives. For

The Compensation Committee has no explicitexclusive authority to modify, interpret and enforce this provision in compliance with all regulations.

In February 2011, the Compensation Committee adopted a policy prohibitingthat the hedgingCompany will not enter into any new agreements that include excise taxgross-up provisions with respect to payments contingent upon a change in control of its stock, although the practice is discouraged.Company. There are currently two existing agreements with NEOs, the most recent of which was entered into in 2004, which will not be affected by this policy. In February 2011, the Compensation Committee also discontinued thegrossing-up of NEO year-end allowances for premiums paid for supplemental disability benefits.

The NEOs participate in health, welfare and qualified retirement programs available to allU.S.-based non-union employees. The Company also provides executives with nonqualified retirement plans, deferred compensation arrangements and supplemental disability benefits. Participation in these nonqualified plans is intended to provide executives with the opportunity to accumulate benefits and wealth over time. For a more complete explanation of these plans, see the narrativesnarrative following the 20082010 Summary Compensation Table, the Pension Benefits at 20082010 Fiscal Year End table, the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation at 20082010 Fiscal Year End table, and the discussion under Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

Mr. Kingsley is entitled to severance benefits under the terms of his employment agreement if his employment is actually or constructively terminated without cause. Mr. Romeo is entitled to severance benefits under the terms of his employment offer letter with the Company in the event his employment is terminated without cause. In each case, the amount of the benefit, which varies with the individual, depends upon whether or not such termination is in connection with a change in control. Such severance benefits were the subject of negotiations with each individual at the time of their hire and were deemed a necessary condition to hiring. The level of each of Messrs. Kingsley’s and Romeo’s severance benefits is reflective of the Company’s perception of the market for their positions.

The table below summarizes the total compensation earned in 2008, 20072010, 2009, and 20062008 for the Company’s CEO, CFO, and each of the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the CEO and CFO.