Proposed restructuring

Weir Group PLC
17 March 2005

17 March 2005

THE WEIR GROUP PLC ANNOUNCES PROPOSED RESTRUCTURING AT
WEIR PUMPS AND WEIR VALVES & CONTROLS UK

The Weir Group PLC has today announced a proposed restructuring of its Weir
Pumps business which is part of the Group's Clear Liquids division.

The restructuring is being undertaken to align the business to the competitive
dynamics of the market. We intend to focus our efforts on fewer higher margin
products and on markets where our cost structure enables us to compete
effectively.

The restructuring is likely to result in around 310 job losses at Weir Pumps'
sites at Cathcart and Alloa in Scotland, Manchester and some regional sales
offices. As part of the restructuring programme and after a period of
consolidation Weir intends to relocate to a more appropriate sized facility
within the greater Glasgow area.

At the time of the Company's trading statement in January 2005 Weir announced it
was undertaking a strategic review of its Valves & Controls division. This
review has now been completed and plans to outsource non-essential operations
and relocate the division's UK based Valves business to a smaller modern
facility are now being implemented. The plan is likely to result in around 180
job losses at the business' Huddersfield plant.

These restructuring programmes are currently expected to incur exceptional
charges in the order of £31m in 2005, all of which will be cash costs.

Both of these reorganisations are expected to return the respective businesses
to profitability in the first full year, 2006, with full recoveries of cash
outflows expected during the course of 2007.

Consultation with employees and trade union representatives has commenced. For
those employees affected by the restructurings Weir will provide a comprehensive
package of support including job search services.

Mark Selway, Chief Executive said, 'I realise that these proposals will have a
significant impact on our employees. The actions we are taking will ensure that
we have a sustainable future for Weir Pumps and our UK Valves businesses.'

The Company is scheduled to announce its preliminary results for the year ended
31 December 2004 on Monday 21 March, 2005.

For further information, please contact:

The Weir Group PLC 0141 637 7111
Helen Walker

Maitland 020 7379 5151
Suzanne Bartch
Michelle Jeffery




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