Exhibit 99.1


 (WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.) (WDHD) WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES WRITES OFF $1.9 MILLION
                         INVESTMENT IN SYMPHONY SYSTEMS


Deerfield, IL - December 18, 2001 - Woodhead Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: WDHD)
today announced that based on events subsequent to its November 14, 2001
earnings release, it has restated its previously announced fourth quarter and
full year 2001 fiscal year results to include a non-cash, non-operating charge
of $0.17 per share for the write off of its $1.9 million investment in Symphony
Systems.

As first disclosed in the Company's fiscal year 2001 second-quarter SEC filing
on Form 10-Q, Symphony Systems has been seeking additional financing in order to
continue operations. Recent events relating to Symphony Systems' continuing
difficulty in consummating a proposed strategic transaction or in securing
additional financing has caused the Company to write off the investment. The
Company has been informed by Symphony Systems that Symphony will continue to
pursue various strategic and financing alternatives, however, there can be no
guarantee as to the outcome.

This non-cash, non-operating charge, which has no impact on current year taxes,
results in a restated fourth quarter 2001 net loss of $0.2 million or a loss of
$0.02 per share and full year 2001 net income is $7.8 million or $0.66 per
share.

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.


                         ABOUT WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.

Woodhead Industries, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets electronic and
industrial communications products, primarily serving the global automation and
control market with connectivity solutions and specialty electrical products.
Through its connectivity group, Woodhead provides the industrial automation
industry with a single, worldwide source for industrial communications and
connectivity solutions. Its product lines, comprised of six recognized
industry-leading brands: SSTTM, Brad Harrison(R), mPmTM, RJ LnxxTM, applicom(R)
and NetAlertTM make Woodhead the premier supplier of application-specific
connectivity solutions.

For further information contact: Robert Fisher, Vice President, Finance and CFO,
(847) 317-2400, e-mail: rfisher@woodhead.com, or http://www.woodhead.com.