Trading Statement

Diploma PLC
28 September 2005



                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     TRADING UPDATE


     Diploma PLC, the specialised international distribution group, is today
     giving a trading update ahead of its results for the year ending 30
     September 2005.

     Trading activity in the Group's North American businesses has continued to
     be strong, while the UK and Continental European operations have maintained
     performance in sluggish market conditions. The Group expects to report
     results for the full year ending 30 September which will both demonstrate
     further progress in 2005 and be slightly ahead of market expectations.

     The Preliminary Results for the year ended 30 September 2005 will be
     announced on Monday, 14 November 2005. There will be an analyst
     presentation of the results at the offices of Bankside Consultants Limited,
     1 Frederick's Place, London, EC2R 8AE, at 9.00 am on that day.
     

     28 September 2005


     For further information, please contact:

     Bruce Thompson, Chief Executive            020 7638 0934
     Nigel Lingwood, Group Finance Director     020 7448 4875
     Ian Seaton, Bankside Consultants           020 7367 8891




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