Trading Statement

Smiths Group PLC
11 February 2008


Smiths Group trading for the six months ended 2 February 2008

Smiths Group will report its results for the six months ended 2 February, 2008
on Wednesday 19 March, 2008.  At the start of its close period, the Group is
providing the following trading update.

Smiths will report overall sales and profit growth for the first half year in
line with management expectations, with strong performance from Detection and
Specialty Engineering offsetting a flat performance in Medical.  Currency
translation had a minor impact.  Net debt was approximately £650m at the end of
the period.

Smiths Detection has demonstrated strong underlying sales growth in the first
half year as a result of contract wins for aTiX the airport checkpoint X-ray
system that can automatically detect explosives and liquids, JCAD the advanced
non-radioactive chemical point detector and significant contracts for high
energy X-ray cargo screening systems.  Margins were lower in the period due to
start-up costs associated with new projects and the profile of recent contract
wins, which also led to higher inventory levels.

Smiths Medical's reported sales and margins were at similar levels to the
comparable period last year.  Satisfactory growth in the other parts of Medical
was offset by weak performance in Critical Care, which faced two specific
supplier issues that have now been largely resolved.  Whilst the transfers of
key production from Hythe (UK) and Kirchseeon (Germany), to plants in lower cost
regions have been completed, the business has been affected by supply chain
issues and the implementation of the ERP system.  Management believe that it
will take a significant period of time to fully implement a world class supply
chain and ERP system. Delivering this is a key priority as is refreshing the
existing customer offering through the introduction of an increasing number of
new products.

Smiths Specialty Engineering has performed well with increased sales and
margins.  John Crane benefited from the continued global investment in
petrochemical infrastructure to address growing demand. Interconnect's
performance was enhanced by its selection and delivery of protection devices for
a 4G WiMAX deployment in the USA. In Flex-Tek a good performance in sales of
fluid distribution components and services for commercial and military aircraft
helped to offset the impact of the decline in the US residential construction
market.  Comparisons with H1 2007 will be affected by the sale of Marine
Systems.

Management will provide a more detailed update at the Interims Results
presentation on 19 March, 2008.

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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