Disposal

Smiths Group PLC
17 September 2001


Smiths sells two non-core businesses

Smiths Group has continued its disposal programme of non-core activities with
the sale of its fluid handling and European flexible hose businesses. Total
sale proceeds are £20 million.

The fluid handling products, including filters, mixers and pumps, are made by
Plenty Group, which has been acquired by Lightnin, part of SPX Corporation and
based in Rochester, New York. Plenty operated within John Crane, part of
Smiths' Sealing Solutions division. Headquartered at Newbury, Berkshire, with
operations in the UK and overseas, Plenty employs some 450 people.

The flexible hose business comprises Induplas SpA in Italy and Flexiplas SA in
Spain. They have been acquired by Petzetakis SA, part of the Greek company AG
Petzetakis SA listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. Induplas and Flexiplas
together employ around 130 people.

Smiths' Chief Executive, Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, said: 'We continually review
our spread of activities, with the aim of becoming more focused but without
causing dilution of earnings. While the units we have sold are good
businesses, they will be a better fit with their new owners.'

Smiths is a global business with market-leading positions in each of its four
operating businesses: advanced aerospace systems; mechanical and polymer
seals; medical devices and critical care equipment; and specialised industrial
products for interconnect & air movement applications. Further information on
Smiths can be found on the company's website: www.smiths-group.com.

-Ends-