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Cooper Completes $217.5 Million Acquisition of INTOOL

12 March 1998

Cooper Completes $217.5 Million Acquisition of INTOOL

          Worldwide Growth Continues with Third Addition to Cooper's
                         Power Tool Business in 1998

    HOUSTON, March 12 -- Cooper Industries, Inc.
today announced it had completed its acquisition of INTOOL, a division of
Global Industrial Technologies, Inc. , for $217.5 million.  INTOOL,
Cooper's third addition to its power tool product line since January, is a
Houston-based manufacturer of industrial and commercial power tools, with 1997
sales of $113 million.
    INTOOL manufactures and sells pneumatic and electric assembly tools,
precision drilling equipment, fastening systems and portable and fixed
mounted tools used in industrial, automotive, aerospace and energy markets.
    "We are excited about INTOOL becoming a part of the Cooper power tool
family," said H. John Riley, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer.  "With INTOOL, we will not only be able to improve our manufacturing
capabilities, but we will also enhance our portfolio of value-added products
and technical services."
    INTOOL manufactures products under the brand names Cleco, Quackenbush,
Airetool, ITD Automation and Rotor Tool.  INTOOL employs more than 740 people
worldwide at four manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and 12 domestic and six
international sales offices.
    The three power tool companies purchased by Cooper this year greatly
expand the company's ability to meet the needs of its customers worldwide.  In
addition to INTOOL, Cooper also recently acquired Geta-Werk, a German
manufacturer of high quality industrial screwdriver bits, sockets and
specialty assembly accessories, and Recoules S.A., a leading French
manufacturer of industrial power tools and specialty cutters.
    Cooper Power Tools' primary product lines include pneumatic and DC
electric tools, screwdriver bits, impact sockets, universal joints, hoists,
and assembly equipment, sold under the Apex, Assembly System, Geta, Stuhr,
Buckeye, Doler, Dotco, Master Power and Recoules trademarks, and licensed
trademarks Gardner-Denver and DGD.  Headquartered in Lexington, SC, Cooper
Power Tools has more than 1,600 employees in five domestic and three
international locations.
    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.