Cooper claims backing of Mount majority

The company, a subsidiary of $5bn turnover United States manufacturer Cooper Industries, beat Wakefield's Redhall Group to buy the York-based maker of components used in hazardous areas.

Cooper said its offer has been accepted by 92.23 per cent of Mount's shareholders, representing some 22.3m shares. The offer remains open until November 26 and Cooper urged remaining Mount shareholders to accept it "without delay".

Cooper was the subject of a bidding battle between $5bn turnover Cooper Industries and AIM-listed Redhall.

Redhall initially made a 70p per share, 16.5m, bid in September, which was recommended by Mount's directors. It wanted the business to increase its manufacturing capability and cross-selling opportunities.

But rival interest from Cooper emerged days later when it said it was considering an offer of at least 78p per share. It then returned with its 82p per share offer, forcing Redhall's executive chairman David Jackson to admit defeat. Cooper believes Mount is a "good strategic fit" with its own products and also sees opportunities for the two companies to sell each others' products.

Mount has a nominal head office in York, but the majority of its 80 employees work in the Midlands and Suffolk.

In 2004 Mr Jackson was on the losing side of another takeover battle, when Babcock narrowly won control of his Elland-based support services company Peterhouse.