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Cooper Industries to Acquire JSB Electrical

4 June 1999

Cooper Industries to Acquire JSB Electrical COOPER INDUSTRIES LOGO Cooper Industries' logo. (PRNewsFoto)[DM] HOUSTON, TX USA 05/13/1999    

   Second European Acquisition of 1999 Expands Electrical Products Business

    HOUSTON, June 4 -- Cooper Industries, Inc.
announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire JSB Electrical plc
for approximately $61 million, which includes the assumption of debt.  JSB
Electrical is a manufacturer of emergency lighting, fire detection and
security systems which are sold primarily in Europe.  JSB, a subsidiary of
Emess plc, had 1998 revenues of $47 million.  Located in Holmes Chapel,
England, near Manchester, JSB employs approximately 250 people.  Completion of
the sale, which is expected to occur in the third quarter, is subject to
governmental approvals and certain other customary closing conditions.
    "The acquisition of JSB Electrical is another important step in growing
our European electrical products business," said H. John Riley, Jr., chairman,
president and chief executive officer, Cooper Industries.  "Adding JSB
Electrical will round out our product offerings, increase our production
capabilities and create additional opportunities to realize cost savings."
    JSB Electrical will become a part of the Cooper Menvier division of Cooper
Industries.  Cooper Menvier 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 1,700 employees worldwide.
    Cooper Industries, with 1998 revenues of $3.7 billion, is a worldwide
manufacturer of electrical products, tools and hardware.  Additional
information about Cooper is available on the Company's Internet site:
http://www.cooperindustries.com.

    Contact:  John Breed of Cooper Industries, Inc., 713-209-8835.