EXHIBIT 23.1


                   Consent of Independent Public Accountants


As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in this  registration  statement of our report dated  January 27, 1998
included in Berg  Electronics  Corp.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997, and to all references to our firm included in this registration statement.



ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
June 26, 1998



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