Trading Statement

Marshalls PLC
04 January 2005


                                 Marshalls plc

                               Trading Statement
                       Twelve Months to 31 December 2004

Sales in the twelve months to 31 December 2004 were £361 million, 3 per cent
ahead of last year. The Group expects profit before tax to be in line with
market expectations, before reorganisation costs of £1.5 million.

GROUP OVERVIEW

Underlying demand for Group products in both the Domestic and Public Sector and
Commercial markets in the period remained robust. The latest survey of Domestic
Installer order books shows average outstanding orders of 10.2 weeks (compared
to 10.0 weeks a year ago) and the volume of Public Sector and Commercial
enquiries and orders remain good. However, outdoor working conditions in the
second half of the year were significantly worse than the very strong comparable
period in 2003. Consequently, like for like sales in the second half were at a
similar level to the previous year.

Acquisitions in the year delivered sales of £9 million.

LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS DIVISION

The Division achieved sales of £297 million, 3 per cent ahead of 2003. The
business has continued to invest in marketing, new product development and
manufacturing innovation to drive future sales growth. The shortfall in sales
in October, together with new opportunities to improve profitability, led to
action being taken to reduce production levels and fixed costs.

NATURAL STONE DIVISION

Headline sales of £30 million for the full year were 4 per cent ahead of last
year. 2004 represented a year of consolidation following the strong growth
achieved in 2003 when the Division benefited from a number of major contracts.

CLAY PRODUCTS DIVISION

The Division achieved sales of £34 million, an increase of 6 per cent on the
previous year. The refocusing of the business that commenced in 2003 is
complete. The operating performance of this business continued to improve.
Marshalls announced today that it has completed the sale of this Division.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS ('IFRS')

The Group is well prepared for the introduction of IFRS from January 2005.
Details of the impact of IFRS will be provided with the preliminary announcement
of results for 2004 in March.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S COMMENT

Graham Holden, Chief Executive said 'It is pleasing to have achieved sales
growth in a year when wet outdoor working conditions hampered the efforts of the
installers of our products.

We continue to invest heavily in marketing and in new products to drive future
sales. We will shortly launch two new product ranges for the domestic patio
market and have recently launched ranges of street furniture specifically
designed for the transport and education sectors.

In a separate statement earlier today we announced that we have completed the
sale of our Clay Products Division for £65 million.

The Group which comprises strong, focused and complementary businesses is in
good shape.  The past investment in capital equipment combined with the action
we are taking in our relentless drive to lower operating costs, together with
our marketing and development programmes enable us to look to the future
with confidence.

The preliminary results of the Group will be announced on Friday 11 March 2005.

Enquiries:

Graham Holden   Chief Executive      Marshalls plc          01484 438900
Ian Burrell     Finance Director     Marshalls plc          01484 438900

Jon Coles                            Brunswick Group        0207 404 5959
Sarah Tovey                          Brunswick Group        0207 404 5959










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