Re Trowbridge Factory

Avon Rubber PLC
6 December 2001

                                                     
                    Avon Rubber p.l.c.
                            

Avon Automotive Hose, Trowbridge, is a subsidiary of Avon
Rubber p.l.c. and produces a variety of rubber hoses  for
the automotive industry.

During the last few years, automotive manufacturers  have
been  relentless  in  their push to reduce  the  cost  of
components.   The outcome has been a major shift  of  the
supply   base  to  lower  labour  cost  economies.    The
continued  strength of the Pound against  the  Euro,  has
further eroded the competitiveness of UK based automotive
component manufacturing.

The  Board  of Avon Rubber p.l.c. has carefully  reviewed
options  for its UK manufacturing base and has  concluded
that  it is unlikely to renew the lease on the Trowbridge
factory in 2003.  This decision is likely to lead to  the
closure  of  the automotive hose operations at Trowbridge
and the transfer of production to other Avon factories in
mainland Europe.

There are currently 273 employees at the Trowbridge plant
and  a further 12 employees at the distribution depot  in
Bowerhill,  Melksham,  who  could  be  affected  by  this
decision.   A 90-day consultation period has begun  which
will  end on 5th March 2002.  It may be possible for some
of the people from the Trowbridge factory to be relocated
into  other Avon factories in Wiltshire, subject  to  the
availability of suitable vacancies.

The  Trowbridge  plant was opened in 1978 to  accommodate
growing demand for automotive hoses.  At the time of  its
construction, it was the most modern facility of its kind
in  Western  Europe.   Today it  manufactures  reinforced
radiator  and heater hose systems, fuel vapour  hose  and
engine   breather  hose  for  many  of  the   major   car
manufacturers including Landrover, MG Rover and Ford.