Pre Close Period Statement

Senior PLC 27 June 2005 Senior plc Pre Close Period Statement Senior plc, a manufacturer of high technology components and systems, principally for the Aerospace and Automotive markets, issues this trading update for the six-month period to 30 June 2005: Overall trading for the Group, during the first half of 2005, has been better than anticipated by the Board at the time of its AGM statement on 15 April 2005. The 2005 interim results will be prepared for the first time under International Accounting Standards ('IAS'). On this basis, adjusted profit before tax(1) from continuing operations is expected to show a comfortable increase over the equivalent number for the first half of 2004. The tax rate is, however, expected to increase. Under IAS, the adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations for the first half of 2004 was £6.1m and the tax rate 15%. Net debt, at the end of June, is anticipated to be in line with the Board's expectations, being similar to the £57.9m at the end of June 2004. The principal reasons for the increase from the £50.6m reported at the end of 2004 include the recent strengthening of the US$, in which the majority of the Group's borrowings are denominated, and the increase in automotive capital expenditure as previously announced. In the Aerospace Division, demand and profitability have continued to improve as a result of healthy increases in the build rates of commercial aircraft and commercial engines. Defence sales have remained strong whilst the regional jet market has softened. In the global automotive market, demand for new vehicles is relatively weak and raw material costs remain high. The Group's diesel product development opportunities continue to be strong, with the costs of the required additional engineering resources being expensed as incurred. As anticipated, profitability of the Automotive Division will be below that for the first half of 2004. However, the first half profitability of the Division is expected to show a recovery over the second half of 2004 as a result of the improved recovery of raw material price rises, the Group's French operation returning to profit and the operation in South Africa benefiting from higher volumes. The full benefits of the rationalisation undertaken during 2004 at Pathway are now being realised. Consequently, the Industrial Division is expected to report a strong improvement in profitability compared to the performance during the first half of 2004. The Group will be reporting its interim results on Thursday 4 August 2005. (1) adjusted profit is that before goodwill impairment, profit / loss on sale of operations and fixed assets and foreign exchange gains / losses on long-term inter-company loans. For further information please contact: Senior plc Graham Menzies, Group Chief Executive 01923 714702 Mark Rollins, Group Finance Director 01923 714738 Finsbury Group Charlotte Hepburne-Scott / Gordon Simpson 020 7251 3801 This announcement, together with other information on Senior plc may be found at: www.seniorplc.com Note to Editors: Senior is an international manufacturing group with operations in 11 countries. Senior designs, manufactures and markets high technology components and systems for the principal original equipment producers in the worldwide aerospace, automotive and specialised industrial markets. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Companies

Senior (SNR)
UK 100

Latest directors dealings