Hardide Regulatory News (HDD)

13 Mar 2006 07:00

Hardide PLC13 March 2006 Press Release 13 March 2006 Hardide Plc ("Hardide" or "the Company") Pre-Close Trading Update Hardide plc (AIM:HDD), the provider of unique surface engineering technology, ispleased to give the following trading update in advance of the Company's Interimresults which are due to be announced in May 2006. The Directors are pleased to announce that good progress is being made in thebusiness and management's targets for 2006 remain on course. Hardide's mainmanufacturing facility in Bicester is now profitable at an operating level. Thenew pre-treatment plant that was established in August 2005 continues to enhanceHardide's customer service and is enabling the Company to generate additionalrevenues by offering faster turnaround times to customers at premium rates.Progress has also been made towards the implementation of the new manufacturingfacility in Houston, Texas. In line with a statement made at the Preliminary Results on 13 December 2005,research into new Hardide coating variants, advancements in furnace efficienciesand the development of additional applications for Hardide's unique coatingcontinue to progress well. Jim Murray-Smith, Chief Executive, said: "Trading for the first half of 2006 hascontinued to be healthy with Bicester now contributing to profits on a monthlybasis. We are also making good headway in setting up the new manufacturingfacility in Houston, Texas. Accordingly, I am confident that the Company willmeet market expectations and the Board looks forward to updating shareholders atthe Interim Results in May." Ends For further information: Hardide plcJim Murray Smith, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 1869 353 830jmurray-smith@hardide.com www.hardide.com Seymour PierceSarah Wharry / Jeremy Porter, Corporate Finance Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000 Media enquiries:AbchurchChris Lane / Katherine Murphy Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700chris.lane@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Notes to editors Hardide provides and applies tungsten carbide coatings to a wide range ofengineering components. The Company's patented technology is unique in that itcombines both abrasion and corrosion resistant properties in one coating. Whenapplied to components, the technology is proven to offer dramatic cost savingsthrough reduced downtime and extended component life. Customers include leadingcompanies operating in oil and gas exploration and production, valve and pumpsmanufacturing and general engineering. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange