---

Exhibit 99.1



Woodhead Industries Reports Strong Fiscal 2004

Second Quarter Results

Improved Economic Conditions and International

Performance Drive Top-Line Growth

DEERFIELD, Ill.April 23, 2004 -- Woodhead Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: WDHD) today announced financial
 results for the 2004 fiscal second quarter ended March 27, 2004. Highlights this quarter include the
 following year-over-year comparison:

*

Total revenues increased 11%

*

Connectivity Segment sales improved 14%

*

Gross margins improved to 38%

Philippe Lemaitre, Woodhead Industries' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, Overall,
 we are pleased with our results this quarter, which were in line with our expectations. We are encouraged
 to see that our sales and marketing initiatives are gaining traction. So far, the fiscal year is progressing
 as planned and we are optimistic about our performance going forward.

Second Quarter Results

Total revenues for the 2004 fiscal second quarter were $50.8 million, up 11% when compared to revenues
 of $45.8 million in the same quarter last year.  Foreign exchange positively affected revenues
 by $2.7 million and the sale of two Electrical product lines during the prior two quarters had a negative
 impact of $1.3 million. Strong sales gains in the European and Asian Connectivity businesses helped
 drive improved revenues.

Income from operations for the fiscal second quarter was $2.5 million, similar to the $2.6 million produced
 in the same quarter last year. The current year includes restructuring expenses and added costs for
 sales, marketing and engineering to support future growth. Gross margin in the second quarter was 38.0%,
 which compares favorably to last years gross margin of 36.9%.

Net income was $1.0 million for the fiscal second quarter, or $0.08 per share, compared to net income
 of $1.5 million or $0.13 per share in the same quarter last year. The changes in foreign exchange rates
 between this year and last year had a negative effect of $0.05 per share in Other Expenses.

Robert H. Fisher, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, stated, Our international operations
 continue to strengthen as both our Asian and European businesses experienced strong demand this quarter.
  In fact, international revenues accounted for 45% of total revenues this quarter.

In the Connectivity Segment, sales for the second quarter were $36.4 million, 13.9% higher than sales
 of $32.0 million in the fiscal 2003-second quarter. The revenue improvement was strong in Europe and
 Asia due to the combination of an economic recovery, business successes and favorable foreign exchange
 rates. North American revenue in total was down slightly year-over-year. In North America, a significant

---

reduction in the companys telecom business more than offset healthy increases in all other sectors.
 Income from operations was $0.8 million this quarter, compared to $1.1 million in the same period last
 year as operating costs increased due to the previously announced sales, marketing and engineering initiatives
 to position the segment for continued growth.

Second quarter sales in the Electrical Segment were $14.4 million, up 4.2% from $13.8 million in last
 year's second quarter which included $1.3 million in revenue from the product lines that were divested.
  Income from operations was $1.8 million, up from $1.6 million earned in the same period last year
 primarily due to the higher volume which was partially offset by the restructuring charges related to
 the migration of the Kalamazoo, Michigan facility.

Backlog at the end of the second quarter 2004 was $22.4 million, 27% higher than at the end of the first
 fiscal quarter and 32% higher than last year.

Outlook

Philippe Lemaitre explained, Our results from operations remain on track with the guidance we provided
 last quarter.  We continue to expect earnings of $0.40 per share for the second half of the fiscal
 year as our internal initiatives continue to build momentum. We are now anticipating our full year 2004
 revenues to be approximately 16% to 18% higher than 2003 levels.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking. These statements are based on current
 expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. In particular, such risks include future actions,
 prospective products, future performance or results of current or anticipated products, sales efforts,
 expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, general economic and business conditions,
 competition, and other issues discussed in our Form 10-K and other SEC filings.

---

Conference Call

Woodhead Industries, Inc., will host a conference call today, April 23, 2004, at 11:00 am Eastern Standard
 Time to discuss performance and financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year. To access
 a live internet webcast of the conference call, visit the Company's website at www.woodhead.com
 and select the webcast icon. A replay of the conference call will be archived and available on the Company's
 website following the live event.

About Woodhead Industries, Inc.

Woodhead Industries develops, manufactures and markets network and electrical infrastructure products
 engineered for performance in demanding, harsh, or hazardous environments. The Company is known in the
 global industrial market by our recognized brands which include Brad Harrison®, SST, Daniel
 Woodhead®, mPm®, applicom®, Aero-Motive® and RJ-Lnxx®.
 Our expertise extends from mechanical, electrical, electronics to communication software products and
 technologies.



Woodhead operates from 21 locations in 10 countries spanning North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.





[Tables to Follow]







---

WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.    Consolidated
 Balance Sheet(Amounts in thousands)

|Assets                                                                      | 3/27/2004 | 9/27/2003
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- | ---------
|Current Assets                                                              |           |          
|Cash and short-term investments                                             |           |          
|Accounts receivable                                                         |           |          
|Inventories                                                                 |           |          
|Prepaid expenses                                                            |           |          
|Refundable income taxes                                                     |           |          
|Deferred income taxes                                                       |           |          
|                                                                           
|Total current assets                                                        |           |          
|Property, plant and equipment, net                                          |           |          
|Goodwill, net                                                               |           |          
|Deferred income taxes                                                       |           |          
|Other Assets                                                                |           |          
|                                                                           
|Total Assets                                                                |           |          
|                                                                           
|                                                                            |           |          
|Liabilities and Stockholders Investment                                    |           |          
|Current Liabilities                                                         |           |          
|Accounts payable                                                            |           |          
|Accrued expenses                                                            |           |          
|Income taxes payable                                                        |           |          
|Current portion of long-term debt                                           |           |          
|                                                                           
|Total current liabilities                                                   |           |          
|Long-term debt                                                              |           |          
|Deferred income taxes                                                       |           |          
|Other liabilities                                                           |           |          
|                                                                           
|Total Liabilities                                                           |           |          
|                                                                            |           |          
|Stockholders investment:                                                   |           |          
|Common stock at par (shares issued: 12,110 , at 3/27/04, 12,011 at 9/27/03) |           |          
|Additional paid-in capital                                                  |           |          
|Deferred stock compensation                                                 |           |          
|Accumulated other comprehensive income                                      |           |          
|Retained earnings                                                           |           |          
|                                                                           
|Total stockholders investment                                              |           |          
|                                                                           
|Total Liabilities and Stockholders Investment                              |           |          
|                                                                           

---

WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.    Consolidated
 Income Statement(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

|                                                | Quarter Ended: |  | Six Months Ended: |        |   |  
|----------------------------------------------- | -------------- |  | ----------------- | ------ | - | -
|
|Net Sales                                       |                |  | $                 | 50,841 |   | $
|Cost of Sales                                   |                |  |                   | 31,513 |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Gross Profit                                    |                |  |                   | 19,328 |   |  
|% of Net Sales                                  |                |  |                   | 38.0   | % |  
|Operating Expenses                              |                |  |                   | 16,316 |   |  
|Restructuring and Other Related Charges         |                |  |                   | 531    |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Total Operating Expense                         |                |  |                   | 16,847 |   |  
|% of Net Sales                                  |                |  |                   | 33.1   | % |  
|Income From Operations                          |                |  |                   | 2,481  |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|% of Net Sales                                  |                |  |                   | 4.9    | % |  
|Other Expenses                                  |                | 
|Interest Expense                                |                |  |                   | 589    |   |  
|Other (Income)/Expenses, Net                    |                |  |                   | 379    |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Other Expenses                                  |                |  |                   | 968    |   |  
|Income Before Taxes and Discontinued Operations |                |  |                   | 1,513  |   |  
|% of Net Sales                                  |                |  |                   | 3.0    | % |  
|Provision For Income Taxes                      |                |  |                   | 558    |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Income From Continuing Operations               |                |  | $                 | 955    |   | $
|% of Net Sales                                  |                |  |                   | 1.9    | % |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Discontinued Operations                         |                | 
|Income From Discontinued AKAPP Operations       |                | 
|(Including Gain on Disposal of $725)            |                |  |                   |       |   |  
|Income Tax Expense                              |                |  |                   |       |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Income From Discontinued Operations             |                |  |                   |       |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Net Income                                      |                |  | $                 | 955    |   | $
|% of Net Sales                                  |                |  |                   | 1.9    | % |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|                                                |                | 
|Earnings per share, diluted                     |                | 
|From continued operations                       |                |  | $                 | 0.08   |   | $
|As reported                                     |                |  | $                 | 0.08   |   | $
|Weighted-average common shares outstanding      |                | 
|Diluted                                         |                |  |                   | 12,239 |   |  
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Dividends Per Share                             |                |  | $                 | 0.10   |   | $
|                                                |                |  |                   |        |   |  

|                       | Quarter Ended: |  | Six Months Ended: |        |   |  
|---------------------- | -------------- |  | ----------------- | ------ | - | -
|
|Net Sales              |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Connectivity           |                |  | $                 | 36,444 |   | $
|Electrical             |                |  |                   | 14,397 |   |  
|                       |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Total                  |                |  | $                 | 50,841 |   | $
|                       |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Income From Operations |                | 
|Connectivity           |                |  | $                 | 752    |   | $
|Electrical             |                |  |                   | 1,780  |   |  
|Corporate and Other    |                |  |                   | (51    | ) |  
|                       |                |  |                   |        |   |  
|Total                  |                |  | $                 | 2,481  |   | $
|                       |                |  |                   |        |   |  

---