US Acquisition

IMI PLC
1 September 2000



            IMI ACQUIRES JUICE DISPENSING EQUIPMENT BUSINESS IN US            

IMI plc, the major international engineering group, today announces that it
has acquired the in-house juice dispenser manufacturing business of US based
Vitality Foodservice for a cash consideration of £3.5m.  The two companies
have entered into a 10 year supply agreement under which IMI will manufacture
and supply all existing equipment models, and develop innovative new products
for the future.  Annual sales are around £5m.

Vitality Foodservice is a Florida based subsidiary of Vitality Beverages Inc,
a leading provider of juice and other beverage products to the foodservice
industry, with annual sales of approximately $700m. 

Martin Lamb, IMI Executive Director responsible for the Drinks Dispense
business said:

'This is an important step in consolidating our position as the leading
supplier of juice dispense equipment in the US market.  We are delighted to
have Vitality as a partner.'


Enquiries:

IMI plc
Martin Lamb, Executive Director              Tel:  [phone]

Issued by:

Shandwick International       
Ben Padovan                                  Tel:  [phone]