Cooper Industries plc Update Regarding Laird plc

DUBLIN, July 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Subsequent to Laird's announcement on 28 July which indicated a willingness to make available reasonable specific information to allow Cooper to assess better the fundamental value of the Company, Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) confirmed its willingness to engage on this basisand to potentially increase its proposed offer from200 pence per share as indicated to Laird on 27 July and as announced on the same day.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101214/MM17721LOGO )

However, Laird has indicated to Cooper that unless Cooper was, after reviewing such information, able to propose an offer at 220 pence (ex dividend) or more the Board of Laird would not be prepared to recommend an offer nor to allow confirmatory due diligence and the necessary extension of the UK Takeover Panel's deadlinebeyond 5:00pm, Monday 1 Augustto allow that due diligence and final preparations for a firm offer. Laird required that Cooper agree on this position as a pre-condition to the sharing of any information.

Cooper does not think that a price of 220 pence (ex dividend), a c.60 per cent. premium to Laird's share price of 137.3 pence on 15 June, the last day before Cooper's initial announcement, is appropriate or justifiable to Cooper's shareholders and is unable to agree to the pre-condition Laird has set for the information sharing meetings. Laird has consequently declined to share further information.

Cooper regrets this unsatisfactory state of affairs. As stated in Cooper's announcement on 27 July, Cooper will not proceed without due diligence. Therefore, if there is no change in the Laird Board's position before the UK Takeover Panel's deadline announced on 27 June 2011 currently of 5.00pm on Monday 1 August, Cooper will withdraw its interest (and will make an appropriate announcement under Rule 2.8 of the Takeover Code). Cooper remains prepared and willing to engage with Laird with an open mind on value and to see if a compromise can be reached.

Commenting on the Improved Proposal, Cooper Chairman and CEO Kirk Hachigian said:

"We are frustrated. We have been clear that we have some flexibility on price and are keen to review any information provided by Laird to see if a deal can be done. However we don't think we can justify the 220 pence (ex dividend) per share which Laird says it requires.

We think it is in Laird's shareholders interests for Cooper to review limited value driving information and see if a compromise can be reached between our position and Laird's. Unfortunately we are not seeing the same flexibility from Laird. "

Enquires:

Cooper Industries plc
David Barta, Senior VP and CFO ([phone])
Daniel Swenson, VP Investor Relations ([phone])

Barclays Capital (Financial Adviser to Cooper and Cooper Industries Holdings (Ireland) Limited ("Holdings"))
Mark Warham, Managing Director, ([phone])
Mark Todd, Managing Director, ([phone])
Bertie Whitehead, Director Corporate Broking ([phone])

Financial Dynamics (Public relations)

United Kingdom
Richard Mountain, Senior Managing Director ([phone])
Andrew Lorenz, Chairman Financial Communications ([phone])
United States - Media Only
Kal Goldberg, Senior Managing Director ([phone])
David Roady, Senior Managing Director ([phone])

Preconditions

The announcement of any formal offer under Rule 2.5 of the Takeover Code would be subject to the satisfaction of the following pre-conditions:

a.) Cooper and its professional advisers being granted access to reasonable due diligence on Laird and its group (including reasonable due diligence in relation to the closure or any potential sale of the Handset Antennae Business) and completion of that due diligence to Cooper's satisfaction;

b.) Laird's Board, as advised by its financial advisors, unanimously and unconditionally recommending the formal offer;

c.) Each of the Directors of Laird giving firm irrevocable undertakings to Cooper to accept the offer in respect of all the Laird shares in which they have an interest;

d.) Irrevocable undertakings being received, in terms satisfactory to Cooper, from the main shareholders of Laird to accept the offer in respect of their Laird shares. Cooper would expect to receive all reasonable assistance from the Board and management in promoting the transaction to Laird shareholders and other relevant stakeholders;

e.) Laird entering into a customary inducement fee and non-solicitation agreement;

f.) Approval of the final terms of the offer by Cooper's Board; and

g.) Agreement on the form of the Rule 2.5 announcement incorporating customary terms and conditions for a UK public offer.

Cooper reserves the right to revise or revoke the terms on which the Improved Proposal is made, including the ability to waive some or all of the above pre-conditions, save for pre-condition (a), which will not be waived. There can be no certainty that any offer will ultimately be made, even if the pre-conditions to the proposal are satisfied or waived.

Reservations

Cooper reserves the right to announce an offer at a price below 200 pence per Laird share in the event that:

a.) the Board of Laird agrees and recommends an offer at the reduced price;

b.) a third party announces a firm intention to make an offer for Laird;

c.) the issued and to be issued share capital of Laird comprises a greater number of ordinary shares than that which has been assumed;

d.) Laird announces, declares or pays a dividend or any other distribution to its shareholders; or

e.) there occurs a material event which negatively impacts the value of Laird.

Sources and Bases

• Share prices for Laird shares as of 15 June 2011 have been derived from the company website and the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange and represent the closing price on the relevant date

Further information

This is an announcement falling under Rule 2.4 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code"). It does not represent the announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.5 of the Code. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that any offer will ultimately be made, even if the pre-conditions to the proposal are satisfied or waived.

Barclays Capital, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for Cooper and Holdings and no-one else in relation to the proposal referred to in this announcement, and will not be responsible to anyone other than Cooper and Holdings for providing the protections afforded to Barclays Capital's clients or for providing advice in relation to the proposal or other matters referred to in this announcement.

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether pursuant to this announcement or otherwise. The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. It is possible that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and the financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. For us, particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include: market and economic conditions, competitive pressures, volatility of raw material, transportation and energy costs, our ability to develop and introduce new products, our ability to implement revenue growth plans and cost-reduction programs, mergers and acquisitions and their integration, implementation of manufacturing rationalization programs, changes in mix of products sold, changes in financial markets including currency exchange rate fluctuations and changes in legislation and regulations (including changes in tax laws). A discussion of these factors may be found in Cooper's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other recent SEC filings.

About Cooper Industries

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is a global electrical products manufacturer with 2010 revenues of $5.1 billion. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards, and meeting customer needs. The Company has seven operating divisions with leading market positions and world-class products and brands including: Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for improved electrical safety. In 2010 fifty-nine percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial and utility end-markets and thirty-nine percent of total sales were to customers outside the United States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 23 countries as of 2011. For more information, visit the website at www.Cooperindustries.com.

Dealing disclosure requirements

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any paper offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any paper offeror is first identified.

An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any paper offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any paper offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a paper offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any paper offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any paper offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any paper offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a paper offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure, you should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on [phone].

SOURCE Cooper Industries plc