Cooper Industries to Acquire B-Line Systems

This acquisition further expands Cooper's electrical product offerings.

Cooper Industries, Inc. (Houston, Texas) and Sigma-Aldrich Corporation announced an agreement whereby Cooper will acquire Sigma's B-Line Systems business for $425 million. B-Line Systems, which manufactures and markets a complete line of metal products used in the installation and retrofitting of electrical, mechanical and telecommunications applications, had revenues of $253 million in 1999. Headquartered in Highland, Ill., B-Line has eight manufacturing facilities located throughout the U.S. and employs more than 1,500 people. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter.

B-Line's principal products include:

  • electrical enclosures
  • cable trays
  • bolted framing
  • fasteners.

End users for B-Line products include:

  • contractors
  • OEMs
  • installers
  • telecommunications companies.

Editor's Note:
Cooper Industries is becoming increasingly aggressive in acquiring traditional electrical product manufacturers. Most recently, Cooper acquired Eagle Electric (see Cooper Industries Forms New Cooper Wiring Devices Division). Cooper created a strong foothold in the electric utility marketplace and it looks like they have their sights set on the other electrical marketplaces.

Edited by: Jerry R. Borland, P.E.