Profile: Cooper Industries plc (CBE.N)

Cooper Industries Plc, formerly Cooper Industries, Ltd., incorporated on May 22, 2001, operates in two business segments: Electrical Products and Tools. The Company manufactures, markets and sells its products and provides services throughout the world. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 23 countries. Operations in the United States are conducted by wholly owned subsidiaries of Cooper, organized by the two business segments. Cooper serves four major markets: the industrial, commercial, utility and residential markets. Cooper also serves the electronics and telecommunications markets. Markets for Cooper’s products and services are worldwide, with United States being the key market. The Electrical Products segment manufactures, markets and sells electrical and circuit protection products. The Tools segment manufactures, markets and sells hand tools for industrial, construction, electronics and consumer markets. In March 2009, the Company acquired Illumination Management Solutions, Inc. In November 2009, the Company acquired Pauluhn from Federal Signal Corporation.

In February 2008, Cooper completed the acquisition of MTL Instruments Group plc (MTL). MTL is engaged in the development and supply of electronic instrumentation and protection equipment for use in hazardous environments. Cooper acquired three additional companies during the year ended December 31, 2008. The majority of the operations of these acquired businesses are related to the Electrical Products segment. In addition, Cooper acquired an additional 20% interest in a previously unconsolidated 50% owned international joint venture. In December 2008, the Company acquired Cyme International, a power engineering software and services provider.

Electrical Products

The Company’s Electrical Products include fittings, support systems, enclosures, specialty connectors, wiring devices, plugs, receptacles, lighting fixtures and controls, hazardous duty electrical equipment, intrinsically safe explosion proof instrumentation, fuses, emergency lighting, fire detection and mass notification systems and security products for use in residential, commercial and industrial construction, maintenance and repair applications. The segment also manufactures, markets and sells products for use by utilities and in industry for electrical power transmission and distribution, including distribution switchgear, transformers, transformer terminations and accessories, capacitors, voltage regulators, surge arresters, energy automation solutions and other related power systems components.

The Electrical products are sold through distributors for use in general construction and renovation, plant maintenance, process and energy applications, shopping centers, parking lots, sports facilities, and data processing and telecommunications systems; through distributors and direct to utilities and manufacturers for use in electronic equipment for consumer, industrial, government and military applications; through distributors and direct to retail home centers and hardware outlets, and direct to original equipment manufacturers of appliances, tools, machinery and electronic equipment.

Tools

Cooper’s Tools segment also provides assembly systems for industrial markets and electric and pneumatic industrial power tools, related electronics and software control and monitoring systems for general industry, primarily automotive and aerospace manufacturers. Power tools and assembly systems are used by general industrial manufacturers, particularly durable goods producers and original equipment manufacturers, such as those in the aerospace and automobile industries. Hand tools are used in a variety of industrial, electronics, agricultural, construction and consumer applications.

The Tools products are sold through distributors and agents to general industry, particularly automotive and aircraft; through distributors and wholesalers to hardware stores, lumberyards and department stores; and direct to original equipment manufacturers, home centers, specialty stores, department stores, mass merchandisers and hardware outlets.