Danaher Corporation and Cooper Industries Announce Definitive Agreement to Sell Apex Tool Group for $1.6 Billion to Bain Capital

Washington, D.C. - Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) and Cooper Industries (NYSE:CBE) announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement to sell Apex Tool Group to Bain Capital for approximately $1.6 billion subject to post-closing adjustments. Currently, Danaher and Cooper each maintain a 50% joint venture ownership interest in Apex. Danaher expects the sale to generate after-tax net proceeds of approximately $650 million.

The closing of the definitive agreement is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. The parties currently expect that the transaction will close in the first half of 2013.

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About Danaher
Danaher is a science and technology leader that designs, manufactures, and markets innovative products and services to professional, medical, industrial, and commercial customers. Our premier brands are among the most highly recognized in each of the markets we serve. The Danaher Business System provides a foundation to our 59,000 associates around the world, serving customers in more than 125 countries. In 2011, we generated $16.1 billion of revenue. For more information please visit our website: www.danaher.com.

Forward-looking statements
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical, including statements regarding the proposed sale of Apex, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, the anticipated after-tax net proceeds from the sale and any other statements regarding events or developments that we believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which Apex operates; the uncertainty of regulatory approvals; and the parties’ ability to satisfy the closing conditions and consummate the transaction. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in Danaher’s SEC filings, including Danaher’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2012. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and Danaher does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.