Marshalls Regulatory News (MSLH)

8 Jan 2007 07:00

Marshalls PLC08 January 2007 Trading Statement - Year ended 31 December 2006 Marshalls plc, the specialist Landscape Products Group, is providing thefollowing trading update in advance of its results for the year ended 31December 2006 which will be announced on 9 March 2007. Trading Performance Marshalls' revenue from continuing operations, including acquisitions, for theyear ended 31 December 2006 increased 5% to £378 million (2005: £359 million).On a like for like basis, revenue from continuing operations was up 3% at £369million (2005: £359 million). Acquisitions contributed £9 million to Grouprevenue. Like for like sales to the Public Sector and Commercial market, which representhalf of Marshalls' revenue, were 5% ahead of 2005. Like for like sales to theDomestic market were flat, with weakness in sales of products to the DIY marketoffset by robust demand from the installed sector. Installer order books, fromthe latest survey at the end of October 2006, were an encouraging 9.1 weeks(2005: 8.6 weeks). For the year ended 31 December 2006 Marshalls expects to announce results inline with expectations. Group Developments Three small acquisitions were made during the year to widen the productoffering, including shelters, covered walkways and high capacity surfacedrainage products, for the Public Sector and Commercial market. These have beenintegrated and investment is being made to generate future growth. Further progress has been made in the Domestic market. Marshalls has secured thesponsorship of the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show for aperiod of three years commencing in 2007. This will provide the opportunity toraise brand awareness and to promote high standards of garden design andinstallation. To complement this initiative the acquisition of Scenic Blue wascompleted in November 2006. Scenic Blue, a garden design and installationfranchising business, was a Gold Award winner for its show garden at the RoyalHorticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in 2006. During the year, threeDrive & Garden Transformation Centres have been trading and construction hascommenced at a site in North London which will enable the fourth Drive & GardenTransformation Centre to be open by Easter 2007. Graham Holden, Chief Executive, commented: "Marshalls is pleased to be announcing a robust relative sales performance giventhe flat building materials market. We are benefiting from our continuinginvestment in inspirational design, innovative products and expert installationof hard landscape products for both the Domestic and Public Sector andCommercial markets". Graham Holden Chief Executive Marshalls plc 01484 438900Ian Burrell Finance Director Marshalls plc 01484 438900 Jon Coles Brunswick Group LLP 0207 404 5959Kate Miller Brunswick Group LLP 0207 404 5959 8 January 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange