AGM Statement

600 Group PLC
07 September 2005

                                                              7th September 2005

                               The 600 Group PLC





                      CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT TO THE 2005 AGM





As anticipated in the announcement of the Group's preliminary results in June,
the UK and USA machine tool markets showed gradual but erratic improvements
during the first few months of the year following the slowdown experienced at
the end of last year. Far East markets continued to be buoyant but activity
levels in western European markets remained generally depressed.



The Group's total underlying order intake in the first four periods increased
slightly compared to last year, with our North American operations showing an
11% increase.



Improvements in the supply of standard lathes from China will start to have a
material impact on our performance during the second half of the year.



Despite the current short-term economic uncertainties, all recent surveys
continue to forecast slow but steady growth in our major western markets,
especially in North America.



Since the year end, our efforts have continued to be focussed on organic growth,
concentrating especially on product range improvements and expansion. Notable
projects currently in progress include

-         a new range of laser markers

-         a new range of computer assisted lathes

-         a new range of CNC lathes.



These products will form the centrepiece of the Group's stand at the major
European machine tool exhibition in Hanover later this month.



With regard to management, it is proposed that Tony Sweeten relinquish his role
as Chief Executive to Andrew Dick before the end of this calendar year. It is
however planned that Tony will remain on the board in a non-executive capacity.



To conclude, I should like to emphasise that with limited expectations of market
growth, our efforts continue to be focussed on organic growth, driven by an
extensive product development programme together with a more aggressive approach
to realising sales and marketing opportunities. The results of these initiatives
will begin to be seen during the second half of the year.





                                                                  Michael Wright

                                                                        Chairman

                                                              7th September 2005





Enquiries:

The 600 Group PLC

Tony Sweeten, Group Chief Executive
John Fussey, Group Finance Director                Telephone:     [phone]

Hudson Sandler
Nick Lyon                                          Telephone:     [phone]






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange