Acquisition

Weir Group PLC
15 August 2005


                                                                  15 August 2005

THE WEIR GROUP PLC AGREES TO ACQUIRE POMPE GABBIONETA SpA

The Weir Group PLC ('Weir') is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement
to purchase 100% of the issued share capital of Pompe Gabbioneta SpA
('Gabbioneta'), a specialist petrochemical pump business located in Milan,
Italy. The consideration for the purchase will be €100m (£69.0m*) payable in
cash on completion. The transaction is expected to complete on or before 30
September 2005. The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing
following completion.

Gabbioneta manufactures speciality pumps primarily for the
downstream end of the oil and gas market. The company has a wide range of
customers including oil majors and leading engineering contractors and is ranked
number three in the European, Middle East and African petrochemical pump market
where it has a significant installed base.

For the year to 31 December 2004, Gabbioneta reported sales of €44.8m (£30.9m*); 
earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) of €6.7m (£4.6m*) and 
profit before tax (PBT) of €3.1m under Italian GAAP. Under IFRS rules
amortisation of €2.5m will not be charged going forward. As at 31 December 2004
gross assets were €48.9m (£33.7m*). Unaudited management accounts for the first
six months of 2005 indicate that both revenues and operating profits are ahead
of the prior year.

Gabbioneta, which operates from two facilities in Milan, employs 240 people. The
business was established in 1897 and was most recently owned by private equity
funds led by Aksia Group.

The acquisition is in line with Weir's strategic objective to grow our Clear
Liquid business in higher margin, high growth specialist markets.

The Board of Weir believes that the acquisition of Gabbioneta offers many
benefits and opportunities which include:

• The acquisition of a well established business with a considerable
installed base enjoying a high level of customer loyalty and complementary
geographic footprint.

• The opportunity to create a global centre of excellence in oil process
pumps.

• A strengthening of Weir's relationship with many of the world's major
oil producers through increased sales volumes and broader product offerings.

• The opportunity to extend Gabbioneta's markets in the USA and Asia,
using the Weir name and geographic footprint, and Gabbioneta's existing
installed base.

• The opportunity to obtain further benefits from Weir's recent
investments in purchasing and manufacturing technologies and systems.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mark Selway, Chief Executive said, 'This is a
significant development for the Weir Group. Our strategy is focused on
consolidating our position in the specialist pump market and building a
portfolio of high quality high margin businesses. The acquisition of Gabbioneta
achieves both.

'By integrating Gabbioneta into our Clear Liquid Division we will enhance our
portfolio of oil processing products. Furthermore, the creation of an enlarged
client base will provide opportunities to expand our product offering and
services into the oil and gas industry.

'We very much look forward to working with the existing Gabbioneta management
and staff, including chief executive Roberto Zecchi, to grow and develop the
business into a leading global player in the petrochemical pump market.'


Further information on the consideration

1.      The Weir Group PLC will complete the acquisition pursuant to agreements
entered into with its shareholders with completion dates on or before 30
September 2005.



Contact details: The Weir Group PLC               Available through UBS
Mark Selway, Chief Executive                      Tel. [phone]
Helen Walker, Public Relations Manager            (Mobile: [phone])
The Maitland Consultancy                          Tel. [phone]
Suzanne Bartch (Mobile: [phone])
Peter Ogden (Mobile: [phone])


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* The exchange rates used for the above £ sterling equivalents are € 1.45 = £1
being the rates prevailing at the close of business on 12 August 2005.



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