Danaher Corp. abandoned its efforts to purchase Cooper Industries, a deal which was initially proposed in August 2001. Cooper responded by renewing its plans to reincorporate in Bermuda to increase its cash flow by reducing its tax bill. It also announced plans to move production to lower-cost countries and eliminate certain lines.

The Stanley Works also announced its plans to incorporate in Bermuda. The Stanley Works Ltd. would be formed to act as the parent company for The Stanley Works. This is subject to approval of the company's shareholders at its annual meeting in April.

Former Briggs-Weaver president Terry L. Taylor is the new president and CEO of Goodall Rubber, one of the nation's largest specialty hose and accessories distributorships with $95 million in sales. Taylor replaces 35-year Goodall veteran Joe Mika, who resigned in January.

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Hernon Manufacturing, Inc. and Inchem Holdings formed the joint venture HernonASIA ... C.H. Hanson acquired the ASquare[rm] brand name ... Aearo Co. acquired the "Leader at Work" safety eyewear line from Leader 2001 ... Textron Inc. sold the Gear Tools operation of its David Brown business unit to Dathan Tool & Gauge Ltd. ... Barnes Group Inc. acquired the manufacturing assets of Seeger-Orbis GmbH& Co. OHG from TransTechnology Corp. ... Stellar Industrial Supply acquired Everett Industrial Supply ... Parker Hannifin Corp. acquired Industrial Profile Systems ... Aervoe-Pacific Company, Inc. purchased North American Professional Products from C.C.L. Industries, Inc. ... Red Valve Co. acquired RLK Controls ... Freestone Partners LLC, in conjunction with First Capital Group , acquired Dan-Loc Bolt & Gasket Inc. ... Wilton Tool Co. merged with JET Equipment & Tools to form WMH Tool Group.

Precision Industries received a 2001 Supplier of the Year award from Thomas Conveyor Co., a Kinetics / Biopharm division ... The Society of Manufacturing Engineers , in partnership with Utah State University, will sponsor the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing in honor of Shigeo Shingo, an engineer who assisted in creating the Toyota Production System.

Send Update information to associate editor Richard Trombly, 275 Washington St., Newton, Mass., 02458; call (617) 558-4289; fax to (617) 558-4327; or e-mail rtrombly@cahners.com.

HK Systems, Inc., a material handling and supply chain execution software solutions provider, sponsored the 2002 men's and women's Olympic bobsled and skeleton teams. "We are proud to support the bobsled and skeleton teams as they showcase their dedication and commitment for their sport and our country in this global event," said HK Systems' Chairman and CEO John Splude.

Kitchener, Ontario-based general line distributor Weber Supply Co. Inc. recently celebrated the golden anniversary of two of its associates. Howard Schneider joined the company in 1951 and has worked with three generations of Webers, beginning with founder, C.N. Weber. After holding various positions, Schneider currently lends his expertise to specialty quotations and contract pricing. He is looking forward to beginning his 52^nd year in May. Gary Deschene started as a truck driver with Cochrane-Dunlop which was acquired by Weber Supply in 1987. He served in various managerial positions and recently retired as the executive vice president of the Northern Region.