Halma Regulatory News (HLMA)

14 Feb 2008 07:00

Halma PLC14 February 2008 Halma p.l.c. Interim Management Statement 14 February 2008 Halma, the leading safety, health and sensor technology group today makes anInterim Management Statement prior to its financial year end on 29 March 2008. The trading trends of the first half, as outlined in the half year reportpublished on 29 November 2007, have continued. Order intake has continued toshow steady organic growth and all three business sectors are making progress. Strategic actions to grow geographically and to deepen our presence in ourmarkets continue. In Infrastructure Sensors, we have concluded a JV agreement with a leadingChinese fire detector supplier, for the design, manufacture and sale of firedetection products in China. Our total investment is RMB35 million (£2.5million) for a 51% ownership with sales from the new company scheduled to startearly in the next financial year. Riester, our new Health and Analysis business acquired in December 2007, ismeeting our expectations, whilst our Industrial Safety businesses continue toperform well. On 25 January 2008, we sold Post Glover Lifelink (PGL) to Metalrax Group plc fora consideration of US$6 million (£3 million). PGL was originally part of ourResistors division which we sold in 2006 and their activities were no longercore to our future growth plans. PGL's annualised revenue was £3.4 million andannualised profit before tax was £0.6 million. Our financial position remains strong. We have extended our bank facilities,with a new 5-year £165 million syndicated revolving credit facility replacingour existing £60 million facility, on similar terms. This additional financialheadroom will enable us to continue to make acquisitions in accordance with ourdemanding criteria as the right opportunities arise. The Board expects our full year profit to be within the range of marketexpectations for continuing operations and remains confident in the outlook forthe current year and medium term. The results for the financial year ending 29 March 2008 are expected to bereleased on 17 June 2008. For further information, please contact Halma p.l.c. Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111Andrew Williams, Group Chief ExecutiveKevin Thompson, Group Finance Director Hogarth Partnership Limited Tel: +44 (0)20 7357 9477Rachel Hirst/Andrew Jaques Notes: 1. This Interim Management Statement has been prepared solely to provide additional information to the shareholders of Halma p.l.c., in order to meet the requirements of the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. It should not be relied on by any other party, for other purposes. Forward-looking statements have been made by the Directors in good faith using information available up until the date that they approved this statement. Forward-looking statements should be regarded with caution because of the inherent uncertainties in economic trends and business risks. 2. A copy of this announcement, together with other information about Halma, may be viewed on its website: www.halma.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange