Acquisition

Smiths Group PLC
14 April 2004



News Release
London, 14 April 2004
For immediate release



Smiths Group buys US hazardous material detection specialist for $75m



Smiths Group is acquiring the business and assets of SensIR Technologies LLC, a
leading manufacturer of infrared-based analysers, for a total of $75 million
(£41m). The newly acquired business will add significantly to the range of
technologies and equipment of Smiths Detection, one of the company's four
operating divisions.



'The second acquisition for Smiths Detection this year is a further step in
building a technology-led business to serve the diverse detection market,'
commented Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, chief executive of Smiths Group. 'SensIR
brings new technology to us, strengthening our ability to support those in the
front line who make the world a safer place.'



SensIR supplies analysers for the identification of potentially hazardous
substances in solid and liquid form. Its products are principally used by
military forces and the emergency services, notably first responders, hazmat
(hazardous material) teams and fire services worldwide.



In the 12 months to March 2004, the turnover of the SensIR business being
acquired was $37 million (£21m). Smiths Group is satisfying the acquisition in
cash and it is expected to close during May, subject to regulatory approvals.



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

                                     -ends-

Contact:

Smiths Group                        Smiths Detection

Bernard Carey                       Richard Bayliss
Tel: [phone]            Tel: [phone]



Investor Relations

Russell Plumley:
Tel: [phone]


Notes to Editors



About SensIR Technologies LLC

The SensIR range of infrared spectroscopy products, established in laboratory
and industrial applications, has been successfully extended into homeland
defence markets through the development of rugged, portable products.  The
company has made significant sales to the emergency services (first responders)
and military customers in the US, markets currently addressed by Smiths
Detection with products that detect gaseous chemicals, and biological agents.
SensIR's products detect substances in solid and liquid form. SensIR's most
recent product development, HazMatID, was successfully tested by the Department
of Defense, resulting in a $3.5 million contract.



Formed in 1995, from a business founded in 1979, SensIR is a privately owned US
company with 110 employees, the majority based at its principal facility in
Danbury, Connecticut.



Hazmat

First Responders are usually Hazmat (hazardous material) teams set up by fire
departments. There are several thousand of these teams across the USA, and
Smiths Detection is the leading supplier of detection equipment to this sector,
with existing products such as APD 2000 and the newly launched 'Bio-Seeq'.
http://www.smithsdetection.com/markets.asp?markets=Emergency+services



Second detection acquisition this year

The acquisition of SensIR follows the purchase in February of Cyrano Sciences
Inc,  an 'early stage' technology company which has developed miniature sensors
to detect and identify chemical vapours. Cyrano's products complemented the
Smiths Detection range and are used in the defence sector and in counter
terrorism.





About Smiths Detection



Smiths Detection is one of four operating divisions of Smiths Group plc,
offering technologically advanced security solutions to detect and identify
explosives, chemical & biological agents, weapons and contraband. Employing
trace detection technology together with Smiths Heimann x-ray imaging, Smiths
Detection provides screening solutions for customers in civil and military
markets worldwide.








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