---

Cooper Industries Creates New Distributor Relationship Program

20 November 2000

Cooper Industries Creates New Distributor Relationship Program    

    HOUSTON, Nov. 17 Cooper Industries, Inc. today
announced the creation of a comprehensive distributor relationship program
that will more directly link five of the Company's electrical products
divisions with current and potential distributors.  This new program, called
Cooper Connection, will strengthen and enhance relationships with U.S. and
Canadian distributors for Cooper's electrical products and services.
    Under the program, distributors who market products from Cooper's five
participating electrical products divisions (Cooper B-Line, Cooper Bussmann,
Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Cooper Lighting and Cooper Wiring Devices) will be
supported by an innovative marketing and sales collaboration campaign.
Collectively, these five Cooper divisions offer customers one of the
industry's most comprehensive lines of electrical products which include
overcurrent protection products; fluorescent, incandescent, HID, industrial,
emergency and airport lighting; residential and commercial wiring devices;
hazardous duty explosion-proof equipment; enclosures; and structural support
systems.
    The Cooper Connection program signifies a major commitment by Cooper
Industries directed toward distributors.  This comprehensive program offers
distributors the electrical industry's broadest product portfolio of market
leading brands backed by unparalleled customer service.  Cooper Connection
will be supported by an aggressive marketing, advertising and promotional
platform, as well as new web-enabled collaboration tools including a secure
extranet linking both Cooper's divisions and participating distributors.
Details of the program will be presented to distributor principals by Cooper
account coordinators during the coming weeks.
    "The Cooper Connection program provides a powerful platform for
distributors to access Cooper's latest electrical products, promotions and
services," said Ralph E. Jackson, executive vice president of operations for
Cooper Industries.  "Cooper Connection leverages the strength of our broad
product lines, enhances the selling power of our brands and builds closer
links with our distributors by helping them reach new customers.
    "The Cooper Connection program will begin in 2001," continued Jackson.
"After a short transition period, we expect this initiative will gradually
generate increased sales through our distribution channels."
    Concurrent with the creation of the Cooper Connection, Cooper also
announced that effective January 1, 2001, it will no longer be participating
in its relationship with Affiliated Distributors (A-D).  A-D is a privately
held buying group based in King of Prussia, Pa.
    "Cooper's relationship with Affiliated Distributors has been mutually
beneficial to both organizations," Jackson said.  "We retain the highest
respect and regard for the A-D executive team and organization and wish them
the best.  We believe, however, that our new program will facilitate closer
communications and an even better working relationship between Cooper
divisions and all of our distributors."