Acquisition

Smiths Group PLC
02 December 2002

Smiths completes €375m acquisition of Heimann Systems

Smiths Group has completed its acquisition of Heimann Systems GmbH, the world's
market leader in x-ray security systems.  The terms of the deal were as
announced on 1 October 2002.

The acquisition of Heimann significantly extends the capabilities of Smiths in
the detection and security markets.  Smiths currently specialises in trace
detection technologies to identify biological and chemical agents, explosives
and narcotics.   The newly acquired business will be known as Smiths Heimann.

Smiths Group has market leading positions in aerospace, detection & security
systems, medical devices, mechanical & polymer seals, and interconnect products.
For further information, visit www.smiths-group.com


Enquiries :

Media: Bernard Carey  020 8457 8403.     Investors: Russell Plumley 020 457 8203




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