Trading Statement

Electrocomponents PLC
14 March 2002

                                            Embargoed until 7.00am
                                            14 March 2002





                           Electrocomponents plc
                              Trading Update


Ahead of forthcoming meetings with investors and analysts we are updating the
market on recent trading.

The Board anticipates that our profit before tax and goodwill amortisation for
the year ended 31 March 2002 will be around £105m.

Since we announced our interim results in November, our markets have continued
to be depressed. In December and January, extended shutdowns of our customers'
businesses, particularly in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, reduced
our sales. Our overall daily sales rate has, however, now recovered to the
levels of last autumn.

We have continued to manage our gross margin and cost base effectively, and our
cash flow is strong. We have also maintained our investments in the strategic
development of the Group.

All our businesses remain ready to benefit from any upturn and we continue to
have full confidence in our long-term growth opportunities.

The full results for the current year will be announced on 29 May 2002.



Contact:


Ian Mason          Group Chief Executive                           01865 204000
Jeff Hewitt        Deputy Chairman / Finance Director              01865 204000





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