Exhibit 23 (a)





                          CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

          We consent to the incorporation by reference  in the registration
          statement of The West  Company, Incorporated on this Form  S-8 of
          our  report dated  February  18,  1998,  on  our  audits  of  the
          consolidated   financial   statements   of   The   West  Company,
          Incorporated and Subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1997 and  1996
          and  for  each of  the three  fiscal  years in  the  period ended
          December  31, 1997,  which report  is  included in  the Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.



          Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
          Philadelphia, PA
          May 27, 1998