Trading Statement

Rotork PLC
20 November 2002


20 November 2002

                                 Rotork p.l.c.

                    Disposal of Business and Trading Update


Rotork p.l.c., the specialist engineering group, announces the sale of certain
non-core business and assets, excluding freehold property, of Rotork Control &
Safety Limited, a mission critical control and safety systems business to Serck
Control and Safety Limited, a subsidiary of Serck Controls Limited Pty, of New
South Wales, Australia.  The value of net assets disposed of is £1,284,000,
including book debts.


Commenting on the sale, Bill Whiteley, Chief Executive of Rotork p.l.c. said:


'The sale of the Rotork Control & Safety business, excludes the PAKSCAN actuator
control systems products, which are retained exclusively by Rotork.  It
represents the final disposal of non-core legacy businesses and assets of the
Rotork group.


The sale of the Rotork Control & Safety business leaves Rotork entirely focused
on developing, both organically and by acquisition, its actuator, systems and
related products, using its own worldwide sales and distribution network.


As I indicated in my review in our 2001 Annual Report, the new management team
introduced to Rotork Control & Safety in 1999 has redefined that business.  They
leave to join a larger specialist controls group with our best wishes and
thanks.'


In light of the Company's forthcoming meetings with Institutional Shareholders,
the Company, in its desire to keep the market informed, is commenting on recent
trading.  In future years we intend to provide a regular trading update in this
part of the year in addition to those provided following our final and interim
results and at our Annual General Meeting.


Following the interim results announced in early August, overall sales growth
has been slightly below the Company's expectations.  Within the product mix, the
lower margin Fluid Power sales have continued to grow somewhat faster than the
higher margin Electric Actuator sales.


The Group order book at the end of October was 11% ahead of last year-end's
figures after adjusting for the removal of the order book of the Control &
Safety business.


The major new product and cost reduction programmes continue to be on target.


                                    - Ends -


Further information:


Bill Whiteley, Chief Executive
Rotork p.l.c.                             Tel. [phone]


Peter Otero
Financial Dynamics                        Tel. [phone]


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