Cooper Industries, Houston, moved last week to bolster the range of lighting its Crouse-Hinds unit can offer for harsh and hazardous locations with the acquisition of Pauluhn Electric, a specialty lighting manufacturer based in Pearland, Texas, from Federal Signal Corp., Oak Brook, Ill. Federal Signal reported that Cooper paid $35 million for the company.

Pauluhn Electric was founded in 1924 and designs and manufactures a wide range of specialized area lighting and connecting solutions used in offshore and onshore drilling, shipbuilding, mining, petrochemical and other industrial applications involving harsh and corrosive environments.

“The acquisition of Pauluhn Electric complements our global-leading Cooper Crouse-Hinds’ harsh and hazardous product offering and enables us to continue to provide our customers with increasingly comprehensive, highly-specified solutions that enhance safety and productivity in demanding environments around the world,” said Cooper Industries Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kirk S. Hachigian.

He added that the acquisition “further extends Crouse-Hinds’ access to several key end markets, including marine, mining and offshore drilling. Additionally, Crouse-Hinds’ global-leading market position and extensive distribution channel provides a great opportunity to expand Pauluhn’s offering to additional harsh and hazardous locations worldwide.”

Federal Signal’s divestiture of Pauluhn is part of a broader plan to narrow the company’s focus and seize some opportunities in the area of public safety, the company said in a release.

According to Hachigian, Cooper plans to be active on the acquisition hunt, especially looking for opportunities to add spec-grade products to its operating units.