Danaher & Cooper Industries Combine Tool Businesses into 50/50 Joint Venture

On March 26, Danaher Corporation and Cooper Industries plc announced a strategic agreement to merge their tool businesses, Danaher Tool Group and Cooper Tools, into a 50/50 joint venture. Steve Breitzka, former Danaher Tool Group president, will helm the new entity as CEO. The venture will be headquartered in Sparks, MD, and its board will comprise six members—three appointed by each parent company. The leadership team will blend executives from both companies. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close after securing the necessary regulatory approvals.

The company, to be named shortly, will market flagship tool brands such as Allen, Apex, Armstrong Tools, Campbell, Cleco, Crescent, Erem, GearWrench, H.K. Porter, Jacobs Chuck, Jobox, K‑D Tools, Lufkin, Nicholson, Plumb, Sata, Weller and Wiss, among others.

By combining complementary product portfolios, distribution networks and geographic reach, the joint venture will offer an expanded range of hand and power tools to DIY enthusiasts, manufacturers, automotive technicians, construction crews and electrical professionals.

Professional users—including mechanics, maintenance engineers and assembly specialists—will benefit from a broader product selection through national and independent distributors. The company will also continue to supply consumers via partnerships with major global retailers, offering both private‑label and proprietary brands.

“Combining the strengths of each company is expected to translate into significant benefits for our customers worldwide. By expanding our brand lineup and sharing engineering resources, we will accelerate product innovation,” said Breitzka.

“World‑class quality, service and innovation are increasingly critical to distributors and end users. This combination will create a focused, global tools business with the scale needed to meet evolving professional and retail demands,” said Laura Ulz.

Customers can expect uninterrupted access to existing purchasing channels and support services.

For more information, visit www.cooperdanahertools.com.

About Danaher Corporation
Danaher, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a diversified technology leader that designs, manufactures and markets innovative products and services across professional, medical, industrial and commercial sectors. With 47,000 associates serving customers in over 125 countries, the company generated $11.2 billion in revenue in 2009, underscoring its global reach and financial strength.

About Danaher Tool Group
Danaher Tool Group is one of the world’s largest producers of general‑purpose mechanical hand tools, including ratchets, sockets, wrenches and automotive service tools for professional and DIY markets. It also supplies key retailers under private‑label agreements. Its products are favored by automotive mechanics, industrial technicians and hobbyists alike.

About Cooper Industries
Cooper Industries plc, founded in 1833, is a global manufacturer with 2009 revenues of $5.1 billion—89 % of which came from electrical products. The company’s portfolio includes Bussmann fuses, Crouse‑Hinds explosion‑proof equipment, Halo lighting, and Kyle and McGraw‑Edison power systems. Cooper’s 23 manufacturing facilities span 23 countries, and it serves industrial, utility and international markets.

About Cooper Tools
Cooper Tools, a subsidiary of Cooper Industries, serves automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, hardware and volume retail markets. It delivers application‑oriented power tools, hand tools, chain and soldering equipment, supported by a team of engineers, designers and product‑development specialists who focus on productivity gains for customers.