AGM Statement

Electrocomponents PLC 20 July 2001 Embargoed to 12.00 noon 20 July 2001 ELECTROCOMPONENTS PLC STATEMENT MADE AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 20 JULY 2001 TRADING UPDATE As indicated in our Preliminary Announcement at the end of May, trading conditions have become more difficult in the first quarter with the cyclical decline in electronics being compounded by weakening growth in the major world economies. In the United States, Allied's significant sales decline in the first quarter against its very strong prior year reflected the electronics cycle, whilst further weakness in UK manufacturing has depressed our UK sales. While the performance of the rest of the Group has largely offset the US and UK, overall sales in the first quarter were slightly lower. Our attention to service, however, has been rewarded by higher gross margins on these sales. Although the sales outlook for the rest of the year remains difficult, continuing actions taken to improve our gross margins and costs will provide offsetting benefits as the year progresses. Despite these trading conditions, we have maintained our strategic investments and we believe the Group will emerge from this cycle in a stronger position to realise its potential. BOARD CHANGES The following Board changes will take effect from today: Bob Lawson will retire as Group Chief Executive to become Chairman Designate. He will succeed Roy Cotterill as non-executive Chairman when Roy retires in November 2001. Bob Lawson joined the Company as Group Managing Director in 1991 and was appointed Group Chief Executive in 1992. Ian Mason, currently an executive Director and Chief Operating Officer will become Group Chief Executive. Ian Mason joined the Company in 1995 from The Boston Consulting Group and was appointed to the Board in July 2000. Contacts: Bob Lawson Chairman Designate 01865 204000 Ian Mason Group Chief Executive 01865 204000 Jeff Hewitt Deputy Chairman / Finance Director 01865 204000 Diana Soltmann Flagship Consulting 0207 2991500

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