






                                                              Exhibit 99.1

             ( F I N A L   5:00 p.m..   September 8, 1998 )


             THE WEST COMPANY ANNOUNCES  "DUTCH AUCTION" SELF-TENDER  FOR
             2,000,000 SHARES; OUTLINES COST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM


             Lionville, PA    September 9, 1998.   The West Company today
             announced  the  commencement  of  a  self-tender  of  up  to
             2,000,000, approximately  11.7%, of its Common  shares, at a
             price  range of  no less than  $27.00 per share  and no more
             than  $31.00 per  share.  The tender period  commences today
             and  expires at 5:00 p.m.  New York City  time on Wednesday,
             October 7, 1998.

             Under  the terms  of  the tender,  shareholders can  specify
             prices  within  the stated  price  range at  which  they are
             willing  to tender  their  shares.    Upon  receipt  of  all
             tenders, the Company will determine one price per share that
             will permit it to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares from those
             shareholders who specified that they would sell shares at or
             below  that price.  Complete details of the tender offer and
             full instructions for tendering  shares are contained in the
             Share  Repurchase  Offering  Document  being   sent  to  all
             shareholders.   Warburg Dillon  Read LLC  will serve  as the
             dealer  manager for the  offer.   Shareholder Communications
             Corporation will serve as the information agent.

             William  G. Little,  Chairman and  Chief Executive  Officer,
             commented, "The West Company is in an excellent  position to
             utilize its financial  resources to  acquire shares  through
             this  self tender.    Furthermore, the  Board's decision  to
             approve this  program reflects our confidence  in the future
             direction  of the Company  and the  underlying value  of The
             West Company's shares."

             Separately,   the  Company  announced that  as  part of  its
             ongoing cost improvement programs,  West will take a pre-tax
             charge to earnings of approximately  $4 million, or $.15 per
             share, in the third quarter of 1998.  This charge relates to
             identified   manufacturing   and   other  efficiencies   and
             associated  employee reductions.    The Company  expects  to
             recover the costs associated with this program within a two-
             year period through efficiency gains.     

             Mr.  Little  added, "During  the  past  few years,  we  have
             increased our  operating margins  by executing a  program of
             consistent improvements  at our manufacturing  locations and
             by   controlling  overhead   costs.     The   further   cost
             efficiencies  announced today will have  a rapid payback.  I
             am encouraged  by the business  outlook for the  Company for
             the remainder of 1998 and into 1999."



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             The   foregoing   discussion   included   "forward   looking
             statements"  as   that  term  is  used   under  the  Private
             Securities  Litigation Reform  Act of  1995.   The Company's
             ability to recover the  costs associated with the efficiency
             program   described   above   may  be   affected   by   many
             uncertainties  that exist  in  the Company's  operations and
             business  environment   that  may  cause  a   delay  in  the
             achievement of  the savings  recovery or cause  the recovery
             not  to occur  to  the fullest  extent  expected.   Specific
             factors include unanticipated future manufacturing and staff
             additions   and   pressures   on   international   operating
             performance from  currency fluctuations and the  cost of raw
             materials.   In addition,  the Company's results  may differ
             materially  from  those  expressed  in  any  forward-looking
             statements by, or on behalf of, the company.  These include,
             but are  not limited to, sales demand,  timing of customers'
             product   introductions,  the   success   of  research   and
             development projects, competitive pressures, the strength or
             weakness  of  the U.S.  dollar, inflation,  the cost  of raw
             materials,   successful   continuance  of   cost-improvement
             programs, the  timely transfer of technology,  the potential
             dilution from acquisitions of  other businesses and the cost
             of borrowing funds.

             The West Company applies value-added services to the process
             of bringing  new drug  therapies and healthcare  products to
             global markets.   West's technologies  include research  and
             development  of  delivery   systems  for  challenging   drug
             molecules;   the  design   and   manufacture  of   packaging
             components, systems and devices that effectively deliver and
             differentiate  drugs  and   healthcare  products;   contract
             laboratory services; and commercialization processes for the
             manufacturing, filling and packaging  of drug and healthcare
             products.


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