Disposal

Smith (DS) PLC
12 July 2005

12 July 2005

DS Smith Sells John Dickinson Stationery to Groupe Hamelin

DS Smith Plc (SMDS), the international packaging manufacturer and office
products wholesaler, has completed the sale of its office products manufacturing
business, John Dickinson Stationery Ltd to Groupe Hamelin, a leading European
producer of office and school stationery.  John Dickinson Stationery had net
assets of £12.2 million at 30 April 2005 and employs 450 people at Sawston in
Cambridgeshire, Washington in Tyne and Wear, and Ledbury in Herefordshire.

The sale of John Dickinson Stationery enables DS Smith to focus on its three
principal activities of Paper and Corrugated Packaging, Plastic Packaging and
Office Products Wholesaling.

Enquiries
DS Smith Plc                                                       020 7932 5000
Gavin Morris, Group Finance Director
Peter Aubusson, Group Communications Manager

Financial Dynamics                                                 020 7269 7291
Richard Mountain/Robert Gurner


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