Cooper Industries
| File:Cooper Industries.svg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical Products Manufacturing |
| Founded | Mount Vernon, Ohio, United States (1833) |
| Founder | Charles Cooper Elias Cooper |
| Fate | Acquired by Eaton Corporation in 2012 |
| Successor | Eaton Corporation Signify N.V. |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas, United States |
Key people | Kirk S. Hachigian, CEO & Chairman |
| Products | Electrical equipment |
| Revenue | Increase US$5,409.4 million (2011) |
| Increase US$827.6 million (2011) | |
Number of employees | 26,000 (2011) |
| Website | cooperlighting |
Cooper Industries was a multinational manufacturer specializing in electrical products, headquartered in Houston, Texas. Established in 1833, the company’s operations encompassed seven divisions, including Bussmann fuses; explosion-proof electrical equipment under the Crouse-Hinds and CEAG brands; lighting fixtures branded as Halo and Metalux; and power system products from Kyle and McGraw-Edison.
In 2011, industrial and utility sectors accounted for 59% of its revenue, with international sales representing 40% of total turnover. Manufacturing plants were located across 23 countries worldwide.
After its acquisition by Eaton Corporation in 2012, Cooper Industries was subsequently removed from the S&P 500 index.
History
The company was established in 1833 by siblings Charles and Elias Cooper in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Initially operating as a foundry producing agricultural plows and stoves, it transitioned to manufacturing steam engines by the mid-1800s.
As steam technology waned, Cooper shifted focus toward gas engine development, becoming a prominent supplier of pipeline compression engines critical to the oil and gas industry. This period included a merger with Bessemer Gas Engine Company, resulting in the formation of Cooper-Bessemer.
During the Second World War, Cooper-Bessemer played a key role by providing engine components for U.S. Navy minesweepers and Liberty Ships, essential to Allied supply chains. Following the war, the firm expanded into electrical products, power equipment, automotive components, tools, and hardware.
Notable acquisitions that broadened its electrical product portfolio included Crouse-Hinds Company in 1981 and McGraw-Edison in 1985.
Toward the end of the 20th century, Cooper streamlined its business to concentrate on two main areas: Electrical Products Group and Energy and Safety Solutions. In 2002, it reincorporated in Bermuda as part of a strategic corporate restructuring.
The acquisition of MTL Instruments Group in 2008 strengthened its position within energy solutions.
Eaton finalized its purchase of Cooper Industries in November 2012, incorporating it into its global operations.
In March 2020, Eaton divested its lighting division to Signify N.V., which originated from Philips’ lighting spin-off.
Divisions
Following the acquisition by Eaton Corporation in 2012, Cooper Industries’ divisions were rebranded under new management.
Cooper Lighting Solutions
Cooper Lighting Solutions manufactures lighting products for commercial, industrial, residential, and utility sectors worldwide. Its offerings include track lighting, recessed fixtures (LED, fluorescent, H.I.D.), exit and emergency lights, vandal-resistant units, landscape lighting, and specialty environment solutions. The division encompasses several acquired brands such as:
- Corelite
- Fail-Safe
- Halo
- IRiS
- Lumark
- McGraw-Edison
- Metalux
- Neo-Ray
- Portfolio
- RSA
- Sure-Lites
- Shaper
- Streetworks
Eaton's B-Line Division
The B-Line Division of Eaton (previously known as Cooper B-Line) delivers worldwide support systems and enclosure solutions designed for engineered facility subsystems. Its products cater to commercial, industrial, utility, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sectors.
Eaton's Bussmann Division
Eaton's Bussmann Division (formerly Cooper Bussmann) develops and supplies an extensive selection of fuses compatible with North American and European standards, serving the electrical, electronics, and transportation industries. Additionally, it provides industrial and mobile wireless solutions along with inductors and transformers aimed at enhancing power quality in electronic applications. Key production facilities are situated across the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Hungary, China, India, Costa Rica, and Brazil.
Operational Segments
- Electrical – infrastructure, automation, renewable energy, transportation/high reliability
- Electronics – renewable energy, automation, transportation/high reliability, computing, communications
- Transportation – hybrid/electric vehicles, traction systems
- Wireless – industrial, heavy-duty/off-road vehicles, transportation
- Consumer – automotive aftermarket, hardware/home improvement centers
Eaton's Cooper Safety Division
The Cooper Safety Division within Eaton (formerly Cooper Safety) specializes in systems for notification, alarms, and safety. Its portfolio includes emergency lighting, fire detection and alarm systems, communication tools for hazardous areas, life safety notification devices, mains lighting solutions, and security systems. The division grew notably following the acquisition of Wheelock Inc. in 2006.
Eaton's Cooper Wiring Devices Division
Eaton’s Cooper Wiring Devices Division (previously known as Cooper Wiring Devices) works closely with the Cooper Lighting Business. This division encompasses recognized brands such as Eagle Electric, Arrow Hart, ArrowLink, RhinoBox, Aspire, Aspire RF, and MediaSync. The product range includes cable assemblies and data connectors for military, residential, and commercial applications; lighting switches; outlets; receptacles; subsea wiring; and communication ports.
Eaton's Cooper Power Systems Division
Formerly a subsidiary of Cooper Industries known as Cooper Power Systems, this division manufactures power delivery equipment tailored for utility companies as well as commercial and industrial clients operating within medium- and high-voltage sectors. Its product lineup supports electric power infrastructure through solutions like Integrated Volt/Var Control (IVVC), feeder and substation automation technologies, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Demand Response (DR) programs, and engineering optimization software.
Eaton's Crouse-Hinds Division
The Crouse-Hinds Division of Eaton (formerly Cooper Crouse-Hinds) specializes in producing explosion-proof equipment designed specifically for hazardous environments.
Apex Tool Group
Established in July 2010 as a partnership between Danaher Tool Group and Cooper Hand Tools (a division of Cooper Industries), Apex Tool Group caters to industrial, commercial, and do-it-yourself markets with a portfolio exceeding 30 prominent brands such as Crescent, GearWrench, Armstrong, and Weller.
In October 2012, Danaher Corporation together with Cooper Industries divested Apex Tool Group to Bain Capital in a transaction valued at roughly $1.6 billion.
Cooper Industries Chief Executives
- Charles Cooper 1833–1895 (served as chairman 1895–1901)
- Frank L. Fairchild 1895–1912
- Charles Gray "C.G." Cooper 1912–1919 (chairman until 1922)
- Desault B. Kirk 1919–1920
- Beatty B. Williams 1920–1940 and 1941–1943 (chairman from 1940 to 1956)
- Charles B. Jahnke 1940–1941
- Gordon Lefebvre 1943–1955
- Lawrence F. Williams 1955–1957 (chairman between 1956 and 1959)
- Eugene L. Miller 1957–1975 (chairman from 1971 through 1983)
- Robert Cizik 1975–1995 (chairman between 1983 and 1996)
- H. John Riley Jr. 1995–2005 (chairman from 1996 to 2006)
- Kirk S. Hachigian 2005–2012