September 7, 1999

Eaton Signs Distribution Agreement with Cross Fluid Power

EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA - Eaton Corporation's Hydraulics Operations has announced the addition of Cross Fluid Power as a new factory-authorized, full-stocking distributor in the southeast. This new association will help Eaton reach its aggressive growth targets for the new millennium.

Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, Cross has five additional locations located in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. All locations provide extensive customer service and are classified by Eaton as applied-engineering distributors. The classification denotes the Cross' ability to provide formal systems design and engineering expertise. Further, Cross offers components and services in both the industrial and mobile market segments.

According to Eaton's Lynn Hughes, Business Development Manager, "Eaton is pleased to have such a solid addition to its distribution network. Cross has been in the business for over 40 years yet their innovative approach to systems development is cutting edge. We expect that they'll make a significant contribution to the business, especially given their expertise in plant automation."

Cross' President, Rock Able, notes that part of the company's success is founded on its customer service which is backed up by the latest electronic information systems and inventory controls. "We provide 24-hour emergency service and same day shipment of stocked items. For our customers, the issue of "time is money" is becoming a growing concern. Significant down time is not acceptable in this market and Cross has positioned itself to respond quickly with a vast inventory and trained personnel."

Eaton's Hydraulic Operations manufactures and markets worldwide a complete line of hydraulic systems and components for mobile and industrial applications. Its products include Char-Lynn^® low-speed, high-torque motors and hydrostatic power steering; Eaton^® light, medium and heavy duty hydrostatic transmissions, piston pumps and motors, radial ball piston pumps, hydrostatic transaxles, gear pumps and motors, valves and cylinders; Vickers^® cartridge valves, axial piston pumps and motors, vane pumps and motors, controls, filtration products and fluid-evaluation products and services.

Eaton is a global manufacturer of highly engineered products that serve industrial, vehicle, construction, commercial, aerospace and semiconductor markets. Principal products include hydraulic products and fluid connectors, electrical power distribution and control equipment, truck drivetrain systems, engine components, ion implanters and a wide variety of controls. Headquartered in Cleveland, the company has 65,000 employees and 215 manufacturing sites in 25 countries around the world. Eaton's sales for 1998 were $6.6 billion. On April 9, 1999, Eaton acquired Aeroquip-Vickers, Inc., which had sales of $2.1 billion in 1998.

The internet site for Eaton Corporation is...  http://www.eaton.com

The internet site for Cross Fluid Power is...  http://www.crossco.com