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Cooper Acquires Lucas Electrical Systems do Brasil

5 January 1998

Cooper Acquires Lucas Electrical Systems do Brasil

    HOUSTON, Jan. 5 -- Cooper Industries announced
that it has acquired Lucas Electrical Systems do Brasil Ltda., a manufacturer
of lighting products for cars, motorcycles, commercial and agricultural
vehicles with annual revenues of more than $16 million.  Headquartered in Sao
Paulo, the operation employs approximately 260 people.
    "This acquisition creates new business opportunities for Cooper by
expanding our global automotive lighting business and strengthening our
position in South America's fast-growing vehicle manufacturing segment,"
said H. John Riley, Jr., Cooper's Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer.
   This business will become a part of Cooper Automotive, which markets
Wagner, Zanxx and Blazer lighting products, Anco windshield wiper blades
and arms, Champion spark plugs and igniters and PowerPath and Belden
automotive wire and cable.  Cooper Automotive, headquartered near St.
Louis, Missouri, has 15 manufacturing facilities in the United States and
14 international locations and approximately 9,000 employees worldwide.
   Cooper Industries, with 1996 revenues of $5.3 billion, is a diversified,
worldwide manufacturer of electrical products, tools and hardware, and
automotive products.  Additional information about Cooper is available on
the company's World Wide Web site: http://www.cooperindustries.com.

SOURCE  Cooper Industries, Inc.