Chairman's Statement

Johnson,Matthey PLC 17 July 2001 Chairman's Statement At Johnson Matthey's AGM Commenting on current trading at today's Annual General Meeting, Michael Miles, Chairman of Johnson Matthey, said: 'Johnson Matthey has made a good start to the new financial year with operating profit and earnings for the first quarter comfortably ahead of last year. Catalysts and Chemicals Division has produced most of the growth. Autocatalyst sales have remained strong benefiting from the global spread of emissions legislation and the introduction of our new process technology. Demand for platinum group metal refining has also been good which has benefited our Chemicals business. On 9 July we announced we had acquired over 50% of the shares in Meconic plc and that our offer for the company had gone unconditional. This acquisition provides a European base for our Pharmaceutical Materials business. It will provide opportunities to sell existing products into new markets and to combine research and development, manufacturing and marketing resources. The outlook for the group as a whole for the rest of the year remains encouraging and we anticipate continued good growth.' Enquiries: Chris Clark, Chief Executive 020 7269 8435 John Sheldrick, Group Finance Director 020 7269 8438 Howard Lee, Gavin Anderson & Co 020 7496 1401
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