Crane Co. has agreed to acquire the Xomox valve business of Emerson for a price of USD 145 million in cash. Xomox, with sales of approximately USD 145 million in 2000, is a leading global supplier of quarter-turn valves and actuators under the Tufline and Matryx brand names. Completion of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of the second quarter. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Xomox supplies high-end application driven sleeved plug valves, lined valves, high-performance butterfly valves, and actuators to the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and other process industries. Xomox has major manufacturing facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio; Chihuahua, Mexico; Lindau, Germany; and Szekesfehervar, Hungary and operates 22 service centres in the Americas, Europe and Asia. In addition, Xomox holds a 49% interest in an Indian joint venture that manufactures and markets plug valves for the Indian and international markets.