Acquisition

Kerry Group PLC
7 January 2002



Kerry Group to acquire Stearns & Lehman Inc. (USA)
and Aromont S.A. (France).


Kerry, the global ingredients, flavours and consumer foods Group, 
today announced the acquisition of Aromont S.A. headquartered in 
Montcornet, France and the proposed acquisition of Stearns & Lehman Inc.,
headquartered in Mansfield, Ohio, USA.  The businesses are being 
acquired for a total consideration of EURO50m approximately.

Stearns & Lehman is a leading manufacturer of coffeehouse chain, 
foodservice and branded Italian-style flavoured syrups, beverage 
flavourings and toppings for the speciality coffee and beverage 
industries.  Kerry will pay approximately US$26m for the business of 
Stearns &Lehman Inc.  The transaction is subject to Stearns & Lehman
shareholder approval.

The business, with 2001 sales of US$20m, is one of the largest 
flavouring syrup manufacturers in the world and the leading private 
label manufacturer of Italian-style syrups in the United States, 
Canada, Europe and the Pacific Rim.  With manufacturing facilities in 
Ohio, Washington, Canada and a planned new facility in the UK, the 
business, complementing Kerry's global foodservice operations, has a 
capacity to considerably strengthen its position as a leading provider 
of private label coffee syrups and to accelerate its growth through an
expanded product offering to an expanded target market.

Commenting on the proposed acquisition of Stearns & Lehman, Mr. Hugh Friel,
Managing Director of Kerry Group, said that the continued growth in
international speciality coffee markets and the expansion of foodservice
provide excellent opportunities for Stearns & Lehman beverage products and
flavourings.  'With Kerry's focus on foodservice markets and its global
presence, the addition of this specialist beverage flavouring technology
represents an exciting new development for the Group', he added.


Aromont S.A. is a leading producer of high quality authentic natural 
culinary ingredients and liquid sauces for the European ready meals, 
meal solutions and foodservice industries.  Operating from a 
state-of-the-art facility based in Montcornet, France, the business 
excels in the production, development and manufacture of unique culinary
ingredients and systems for fast growing segments of the prepared foods, 
food processor and foodservice industries.

'Complementing the recent acquisition of Voyager Foods in the UK, the 
addition of Aromont is a further significant step in Kerry's strategy to
develop a leading position in the culinary ingredients sector throughout
European markets,' Mr. Friel added.


For further information please contact:       Telephone: + 353 66 7182304
Frank Hayes,                                  Fax: + 353 66 7182972
Director Corporate Affairs,                   email: [e-mail]
Kerry Group plc.                              Website: www.kerrygroup.com