Re Joint Venture

Smiths Group PLC
21 March 2007



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             21 March 2007





                 SMITHS GROUP PLC AND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY



               SMITHS GROUP PLC AND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY SIGN

               FORMATION AGREEMENT TO CREATE SMITHS GE DETECTION



Smiths Group plc ('Smiths') and General Electric Company ('GE') announce that,
following the Letter of Intent announced on 15 January 2007, they have signed a
Formation Agreement, an important stage in the creation of Smiths GE Detection.
 As previously agreed, Smiths will own 64% and GE will own 36% of the new
venture.



The transaction remains conditional on the approval of Smiths shareholders,
certain regulatory approvals and a number of supplementary agreements between
Smiths and GE that require additional detailed work and technical input.  Smiths
has agreed to pay GE a break fee of £35 million in certain circumstances.



With regard to the expected timetable to completion, it is anticipated that the
preparation of the necessary audited financial information for the shareholder
circular will take several months.   Completion of the transaction is currently
targeted for the second half of the 2007 calendar year.







Contacts:


Smiths Group plc                                     [phone]
Russell Plumley (Investor Relations)
Chris Fox (Media)

General Electric Company                             [phone]
Russell Wilkerson





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