Nwf Regulatory News (NWF)

30 Sep 2005 10:00

NWF Group PLC30 September 2005 Strictly embargoed until 10.00, 30 September 2005 CHAIRMAN'S AGM STATEMENT At the Annual General Meeting of NWF Group plc ("NWF"), the diversified salesand distribution business, to be held in Cheshire at 10.30 am today, theChairman, Roy Willis, will say: "I commented at the time of our annual results that our settled strategy is tocontinue with the profitable growth of all four businesses and that theinvestments made in 2004/05 will stand us in good stead. This is proving to bethe case. Although profits for the period to date normally represent only some10% of the full year, I am pleased to say that trading has so far been ahead ofthe same period last year. "Since the year end, all four divisions have been active. Our Fuels and Feedsbusinesses have both recently made acquisitions that increase their geographicreach. We have also announced a new contract with Somerfield for ourDistribution business and despite trading conditions remaining tough for ourGarden Centres division, like for like profits have increased on the prior yearperiod. "Overall I remain confident that we shall achieve a satisfactory outcome for theyear as a whole. "I would also like to announce that Graham Scott has agreed to extend his tenureas Chief Executive of the Group for a further year, to at least the end of 2007.The Board has also agreed to appoint Mark Hudson, currently Deputy Chairman, asChairman of the Board when I reach my retirement age a year from now at thecompany's AGM in September 2006." For further information please visit www.nwf.co.uk or contact: Graham Scott, Chief Executive John West / Claire MellyNWF Group plc Tavistock CommunicationsTel: 01829 260 260 Tel: 020 7920 3150 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange