Trading Statement

Bunzl PLC
13 December 2006


                                                                                
                                                                13 December 2006

  BUNZL PRE-CLOSE STATEMENT AND ACQUISITION OF INTERNATIONAL RETAIL PACKAGING
                                    BUSINESS


Bunzl plc, the international distribution and outsourcing Group, is today
updating the market prior to entering the close period for the year to 31
December 2006 and announcing a significant acquisition in international non-food
retail supplies.

With respect to the market update, the Company indicates that:

• Overall trading in 2006 is expected to be in line with our expectations.

• Revenue in North America continues to progress well with underlying growth in 
  US dollars in the second half returning to historical levels in a more stable 
  pricing environment. While there have been continued operating improvements 
  from acquisitions made in 2005 and benefits from the acquisitions completed 
  this year, the depreciation of the US dollar will have a negative translation 
  impact on the full year results.

• Overall underlying performance in the UK & Ireland has improved in the second 
  half due to a combination of revenue growth and the impact of cost reduction 
  initiatives implemented in the first half. Southern Syringe, acquired in July 
  2006, is operating as expected at considerably lower than the Group's average 
  margins and the integration is proceeding as planned.

• Overall revenue in Continental Europe has continued to develop well. Although 
  the businesses outside France, as a whole, are performing well, the margin 
  pressures in France in the first half have continued.

• In Australasia strong overall revenue growth has resulted from a combination 
  of moderate underlying performance and the effect of recent acquisitions.

Bunzl also announces that it has acquired Keenpac Group Limited and its
subsidiaries from Glynn Bradshaw, other employees of Keenpac and Uberior
Investments plc, an investment vehicle of Bank of Scotland Corporate.

The business, which is based in Leicester, is involved in the sale and
distribution of quality retail packaging principally in the UK and the US but
also in France, Italy, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Australia. Products, which are
predominantly sourced from Asia, include bags and boxes for a variety of
customers including luxury brands and high street retailers.

Keenpac's consolidated revenue in the year ended December 2005 was £73.6 million
and the gross assets acquired are expected to be approximately £54.9 million.

Commenting on the acquisition, Michael Roney, Chief Executive of Bunzl, said:

'Keenpac is an excellent international company which significantly expands our
sales of non-food retail supplies, broadening our product offering and customer
base, extending our sourcing capabilities and providing an opportunity to
develop our business in countries where we do not currently have a presence. I
am delighted to welcome the management team and all the staff of Keenpac to
Bunzl'.


Enquiries:

Bunzl plc                                 Finsbury
Michael Roney, Chief Executive            Roland Rudd
Brian May, Finance Director               Mark Harris
Tel: [phone]                        Tel: [phone]



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