Re Joint Venture

Smiths Group PLC
19 September 2007

Smiths Group plc and General Electric Company
not to proceed with joint venture



On 21 March 2007, Smiths Group plc (Smiths) and General Electric Company (GE)
announced that they had conditionally agreed to form a joint venture to be named
Smiths GE Detection.  Smiths and GE now announce that, after careful
consideration, they have decided not to proceed to form the joint venture as
they now believe the interests of both businesses are best served by their
remaining independent.


The agreement of 21 March 2007 contained conditions precedent to the formation
of the joint venture.  After considerable endeavour by both parties, Smiths and
GE were unable to agree on a strategic vision for the combined business, and as
a result were not able to agree how to satisfy certain of these conditions.


Smiths Detection and GE Homeland Protection offer complementary products in the
airports sector that are critical to the customers and markets they serve.  The
parties' existing joint cooperation agreement is unaffected by today's
announcement.



Smiths Group Contacts


Investor Relations                                     Media
Russell Plumley                                        Chris Fox
[phone]                                    [phone]



About Smiths Group
Smiths is a global technology company listed on the London Stock Exchange.  A
world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies, Smiths Group
delivers products and services for the threat & contraband detection, medical
devices, energy and communications markets worldwide.  Our products and services
make the world safer, healthier and more productive.  Smiths Group employs more
than 20,000 people in over 50 countries.  For more information visit
www.smiths.com.




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