By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Investor Browning West wants Cooper Cos to add four newcomers to its board to improve the medical device maker’s operations and signaled it is ready to run a proxy contest if the company should balk, according to a letter sent to the company.

After several meetings with management this year, the hedge fund is increasing pressure by proposing three industry executives and one of its partners to join Cooper’s board to correct the current board’s perceived lack of expertise in vision care, manufacturing, and medical devices, two sources told Reuters before Browning West made the letter public on Wednesday morning.

“Urgent change at the board level is required to refocus and optimize Cooper’s business, restore shareholder confidence, and help Coope

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