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Cooper Acquires Electrical Products Manufacturer Capri-Codec S.A.

4 May 1999

Cooper Acquires Electrical Products Manufacturer Capri-Codec S.A.; Acquisition Expands Product Offerings and Sourcing Options for Cooper's European Markets

    HOUSTON, May 3 -- Cooper Industries, Inc. has
acquired Capri-Codec S.A., a leading manufacturer of electrical construction
materials, located in Nouan-le-Fuzelier, France.  With annual revenues of more
than $25 million, Capri-Codec has approximately 200 employees.
    Capri-Codec products are sold primarily for use in the European
construction industry and industrial markets.  Capri's cable accessories and
flexible conduits are used by electrical contractors to provide secure, safe
installation of electrical apparatus in commercial and industrial buildings in
France and throughout the European Union.  These products are sold through
many of the same electrical wholesaler channels that currently handle other
Cooper products such as emergency lighting and fire alarm systems.
    "Capri-Codec's product lines will enhance our low voltage electrical
products offerings, while increasing our access to European distribution
channels," said H. John Riley, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive
officer of Cooper Industries.  "They have a well-established customer base and
efficient manufacturing facilities.  As a result, this acquisition positions
us to participate in a broader share of the European electrical construction
materials market and allows us to better leverage our existing European
operations through internal sourcing opportunities," Riley said.
    Capri-Codec S.A. will become part of the Cooper Menvier division which
manufactures emergency lighting for commercial and industrial applications,
and alarms and sensors for building security and safety systems.
Headquartered in Banbury, England, Cooper Menvier has manufacturing facilities
in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, with more than 1,600 employees
worldwide.
    Cooper Industries, Inc., with 1998 revenues of $3.7 billion, is a
worldwide manufacturer with two business segments:  Electrical Products and
Tools & Hardware.  Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Cooper employs
28,000 people at over 100 manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities
around the world.  Additional information about Cooper is available on the
company's Internet site: http://www.cooperindustries.com.
    Statements in this news release are forward-looking under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are subject to
various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the
company, such as the level of market demand for the company's products,
competitive pressures and future economic conditions.  These factors are
discussed in the company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
    For more information contact:  John Breed of Cooper Industries, Inc.,
713-209-8835.