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Cooper Industries Acquires German Tool Maker Geta-Werk

6 March 1998

Cooper Industries Acquires German Tool Maker Geta-Werk

    HOUSTON, March 6 -- Cooper Industries, Inc. has
acquired Geta-Werk, located in Attendorn, a leading German manufacturer of
high quality industrial screwdriver bits, sockets and specialty assembly
accessories.  Geta's power tool accessories are primarily sold for use in
automotive and industrial applications.
    "Geta is an excellent complement to Cooper's existing power tools
business.  It will provide a stronger local presence in Europe for our power
tool accessories business, and allow us to meet the demanding application
needs of our global customers," said H. John Riley, Jr., Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Cooper Industries.
    Geta-Werk becomes part of the Cooper Power Tools Division, which
manufactures pneumatic and DC electric tools, screwdriver bits, impact
sockets, universal joints, hoists, and assembly equipment, sold under the
Apex, Buckeye, Doler, Dotco, Master Power, Recoules and Utica trademarks, and
licensed trademarks Gardner-Denver and DGD.  Headquartered in Lexington, South
Carolina, Cooper Power Tools has manufacturing facilities in five U.S. and
three international locations, and approximately 1,600 employees worldwide.
    Cooper Industries, with 1997 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.