Chairman's Statement

Johnson,Matthey PLC
17 July 2001


Chairman's Statement
At Johnson Matthey's AGM

Commenting on current trading at today's Annual General Meeting, Michael
Miles, Chairman of Johnson Matthey, said:

'Johnson Matthey has made a good start to the new financial year with
operating profit and earnings for the first quarter comfortably ahead of last
year.

Catalysts and Chemicals Division has produced most of the growth. 
Autocatalyst sales have remained strong benefiting from the global spread of
emissions legislation and the introduction of our new process technology. 
Demand for platinum group metal refining has also been good which has
benefited our Chemicals business.

On 9 July we announced we had acquired over 50% of the shares in Meconic plc
and that our offer for the company had gone unconditional.  This acquisition
provides a European base for our Pharmaceutical Materials business.  It will
provide opportunities to sell existing products into new markets and to
combine research and development, manufacturing and marketing resources.

The outlook for the group as a whole for the rest of the year remains
encouraging and we anticipate continued good growth.'

Enquiries:
Chris Clark,           Chief Executive                     020 7269 8435
John Sheldrick,        Group Finance Director              020 7269 8438
Howard Lee,            Gavin Anderson & Co                 020 7496 1401