Pre close trading update

Norcros PLC
18 April 2008





Norcros plc

("Norcros", the "Group" or the "Company")





Pre-close Trading Update



Norcros, the home consumer products group with operations primarily in the UK
and South Africa, issues the following trading update for the year ended 30
March 2008 in advance of the preliminary results which will be announced on
Thursday 19th June 2008.



Overview



We expect to report that Group revenues will have increased by c.5% on a
constant currency basis to be in the region of £168 million (2007: £160
million).



UK



Triton, the UK market leader in domestic showers, has continued to perform well,
maintaining its share in the electric segment and growing market share in the
mixer segment. Overall revenues increased by c.1.7 % with domestic revenues up
by c.4.4%.



H & R Johnson, a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of ceramic tiles and tile
adhesives, made good progress in the Trade and Multiple sectors.  Domestic
revenues were c.5.6% ahead, offsetting the expected decline in export revenues.
Good progress continues to be made with our UK adhesives business with revenue
growth of c.40%.



Our UK business is continuing to trade resiliently despite increasingly
difficult consumer markets and higher energy costs.



South Africa



In South Africa overall revenues increased by c.12% on a constant currency
basis.   Our retail operation, Tile Africa, increased revenues in constant
currency by c.11%. Four new stores have been opened and four existing stores
have been upgraded. In addition, two former franchise stores have been acquired.



TAL, our adhesive operation, increased revenues in constant currency by c.13%
and Johnson Tiles, our tile manufacturing operation, increased revenues by c.7%
in constant currency.



As previously reported, our operations in South Africa continue to be impacted
by high interest rates, consumer uncertainty, power disruption and input cost
increases. However, our investment in new stores and store refurbishment is
delivering revenue benefits and has strengthened the market position of our
business.



Rest of the World



Our wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia, selling tiles under the "Johnson"
brand, increased revenues by c.12% on a constant currency basis and continues to
trade well.



Summary



We expect to report full year trading profit of c. £16 million (2007: £15.3
million) and profit before tax and exceptional items in line with market
expectations at c.£12.5 million (2007: £7.4 million), reflecting the benefits of
lower net finance costs.



The Group remains in a strong financial position with net debt in the region of
£47 million at the end of March 2008 and an £80 million banking facility
available until 2012. Whilst we do not envisage conditions improving in the
short term and acknowledge the economic risks in the UK and South Africa, we
remain confident that our businesses are well positioned to take advantage of
medium-term opportunities and outperform our underlying markets.






                                                                   18 April 2008

ENQUIRIES

Norcros plc
Joe Matthews, Group Chief Executive                  Tel: [phone]
Nick Kelsall, Group Finance Director

Altium
Phil Adams                                           Tel: [phone]
Mike Fletcher

College Hill                                         Tel: [phone]
Mark Garraway
Adam Aljewicz



For further information please visit the Company website:

www.norcros.com




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