Exhibit 99.1

Actuant Reports Improved Second Quarter Results; Updates Full Year Guidance

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2011--Actuant Corporation (NYSE: ATU) today announced results for its second quarter ended February 28, 2011.

Highlights

• 43% year-over-year increase in diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (“EPS”) from $0.21 to $0.30 (excluding prior year restructuring costs - see attached reconciliation of earnings).
• Strong sales momentum continued, with a 13% year-over-year increase in core revenue (total sales less the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and foreign currency rate changes).
• Year-over-year operating profit margin expansion of 90 basis points, excluding prior year restructuring costs.
• Solid capital and debt leverage positions with over $500 million of unused borrowing capacity under the recently amended and expanded credit agreement.
• Completion of the previously announced Mastervolt acquisition and divestiture of the European Electrical business, which repositions the Electrical segment toward higher growth and profitability.

Robert C. Arzbaecher, Chairman and CEO of Actuant commented, “Actuant had a good second quarter and remains on track to meet full year financial expectations. During the seasonally weak second quarter, demand levels continued to be strong across many markets, resulting in a robust 13% increase in core sales. Operating margins expanded, the fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement. The higher sales, coupled with solid margin improvement, drove EPS to the top of our second quarter guidance range. In addition to improved financial results this quarter, we finalized the sale of European Electrical and the acquisition of Mastervolt, repositioning our Electrical segment’s growth, margin and innovation trajectory. In summary, we are pleased with Actuant’s fiscal 2011 first half accomplishments.”

Consolidated Results from Continuing Operations

Consolidated sales for the second quarter were $331 million, 24% higher than the comparable prior year quarter. Core sales increased 13% with acquisitions contributing an additional 11% growth. Earnings and EPS from continuing operations in the fiscal 2011 second quarter were $22.1 million and $0.30, respectively, compared to $7.9 million and $0.11 in the comparable prior year quarter. Results for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 included pre-tax restructuring costs (including those reported in cost of products sold) of $10.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. Excluding this item, fiscal 2011 second quarter EPS from continuing operations of $0.30 was 43% higher than the $0.21 in the prior year. (See attached reconciliation of earnings.)

Sales for the six months ended February 28, 2011 were $649 million, 20% higher than the $540 million in the comparable prior year period. Excluding the impact of the stronger US dollar (-1%) and acquisitions (+8%), year-to-date core sales increased 13%. Earnings and EPS from continuing operations for the six months ended February 28, 2011 were $48.8 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to $21.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share for the comparable prior year period. Year-to-date fiscal 2010 results included pre-tax restructuring costs (including those reported in cost of products sold) of $12.8 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. Excluding this item, current year first half diluted EPS grew 57% to $0.66, from $0.42 for the comparable prior year period. (See attached reconciliation of earnings.)

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations represent the results for the European Electrical business for all periods presented. The $14.2 million ($0.19 per diluted share) second quarter loss primarily reflects the loss on the sale of European Electrical on February 28, 2011.

Segment Results

(1) Excludes restructuring costs of $4.9 million and $5.1 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2010.

Second quarter fiscal 2011 Industrial segment sales were $89 million, 28% higher than the prior year. Excluding foreign currency rate changes (+1%), and the benefit of the Integrated Solutions (IS) acquisitions (+12%), Industrial segment core sales increased 15%. The strong growth, despite the normal seasonal slowdown from the first to second quarter, was driven by continued robust global demand across nearly all served markets. Despite margin expansion in the base business, adjusted operating profit margins were slightly lower than the prior year due to unfavorable acquisition related sales mix.

(2) Excludes restructuring costs of $1.7 million and $1.8 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2010.

Fiscal 2011 second quarter year-over-year Energy segment sales increased 14% to $62 million. Excluding the 9% contribution from acquisitions, core sales increased 5% due primarily to higher activity levels in emerging markets and improving seismic and umbilical market demand. Current year second quarter adjusted operating profit margins improved 60 basis points year-over-year due to margin leverage on the higher volumes.

(3) Excludes restructuring costs of $1.1 million and $3.0 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2010.

Electrical segment fiscal 2011 second quarter sales were $70 million, 28% higher than the comparable prior year quarter. Excluding the Mastervolt acquisition (30%), core sales declined 2% due to lower DIY retail and commercial construction activity. Second quarter adjusted operating profit margin of 7.0% includes higher input costs as well as unfavorable acquisition mix. Mastervolt's results reflect normal second quarter seasonal weakness.

(4) Excludes restructuring costs of $2.0 million and $2.4 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2010.

Second quarter fiscal 2011 Engineered Solutions segment sales increased 23% from the prior year to $110 million. Excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar (-2%), year-over-year core sales grew 25%. Second quarter sales reflected strong demand from the global heavy-duty truck, agriculture, construction equipment and defense markets. Second quarter adjusted operating margins increased 550 basis points year-over-year due to margin leverage on the higher volumes and restructuring driven cost reductions.

Corporate

Corporate expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 were $8.3 million, approximately equal to the first quarter. The increase of approximately $2.7 million from the prior year was due to higher 401(k), salary and incentive compensation costs compared to last year’s recessionary levels, as well as growth and acquisition investments.

Financial Position

Net debt at February 28, 2011 was $468 million (total debt of $508 million less $40 million of cash), an increase of $145 million from the beginning of the quarter. During the quarter, the Company deployed approximately $158 million of capital to fund the Mastervolt acquisition, incurred $5 million of debt issuance costs for upsizing and extending its senior credit agreement and received approximately $5 million in proceeds from the divestiture of European Electrical. Cash flow from operations of $14 million during the quarter improved modestly from the prior year, and reflected a net investment in working capital during the quarter to support business growth.

Outlook

Arzbaecher added, “At the mid-point of fiscal 2011, we are pleased with our financial performance, notably year-over-year year-to-date EPS growth in excess of 50%, excluding prior year restructuring costs. While we expect second half fiscal 2011 year-over-year core sales growth and margin expansion to moderate, overall sales and earnings will continue to grow reflecting sales momentum and the Mastervolt acquisition. Our core sales growth on a year-to-date basis has benefitted from positive global economic conditions. However, these same factors, as well as foreign currency rate changes, have put upward pressure on material and other input costs which we have effectively mitigated to date.

After considering all factors, we are moving our sales and earnings guidance toward the high end of prior guidance ranges. We now expect full year fiscal 2011 revenue of $1.400-$1.425 billion and EPS from continuing operations of $1.50-$1.60. At the mid-point, this represents a 44% improvement over fiscal 2010 results, excluding prior year restructuring costs. Our full year free cash flow forecast remains $140-$150 million, and reflects free cash flow to net earnings conversion in excess of 100%.

We expect third quarter sales to be in the $375-$385 million range. EPS from continuing operations is expected to improve nearly 30% at the mid-point, from $0.35 in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 (excluding restructuring charges) to a range of $0.42-$0.47.

With the solid performance during the first half of our fiscal year and positive market trends, we are optimistic about Actuant’s future. We remain focused on our long-term organic and acquisition driven growth strategies. Our acquisition pipeline is robust and with our strong cash flow and borrowing capacity, we are well positioned financially to capitalize on growth opportunities."

Conference Call Information

An investor conference call is scheduled for 10am CT today, March 17, 2011. Webcast information and conference call materials will be made available on the Actuant company website (www.actuant.com) prior to the start of the call.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain of the above comments represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Management cautions that these statements are based on current estimates of future performance and are highly dependent upon a variety of factors, which could cause actual results to differ from these estimates. Actuant’s results are also subject to general economic conditions, variation in demand from customers, the impact of geopolitical activity on the economy, continued market acceptance of the Company’s new product introductions, the successful integration of acquisitions, restructuring, operating margin risk due to competitive pricing and operating efficiencies, supply chain risk, material and labor cost increases, foreign currency fluctuations and interest rate risk. See the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding risk factors. Actuant disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.

About Actuant Corporation

Actuant Corporation is a diversified industrial company with operations in more than 30 countries. The Actuant businesses are leaders in a broad array of niche markets including branded hydraulic and electrical tools and supplies; specialized products and services for energy markets and highly engineered position and motion control systems. The Company was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Butler, Wisconsin. Actuant trades on the NYSE under the symbol ATU. For further information on Actuant and its businesses, visit the Company's website at www.actuant.com.

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CONTACT:
Actuant Corporation
Karen Bauer, Director, Investor Relations
262-373-7462