Pz Cussons Regulatory News (PZC)

6 Dec 2007 07:00

PZ CUSSONS PLC06 December 2007 6 December 2007 PZ Cussons Plc (the "Group") TRADING UPDATE PZ Cussons Plc announces its trading update in respect of the half year to 30November 2007. First half trading PZ Cussons is pleased to confirm that results for the first half of thefinancial year have been in line with management expectations, with improvementsin both sales and profitability compared to the same period last year. Update on key projects Construction of the group's 'Personal Wash Centre of Excellence' in Manchesteris on schedule with production expected to commence during the spring of 2008followed by completion of the Research and Development and Fragrance DevelopmentCentres by the end of 2008. Expansion of the manufacturing facilities of the nutrition joint venture inNigeria is also on schedule. Additional capacity for the current factory will becompleted by the end of this calendar year with production from the secondfactory expected to commence by the end of 2008. Full year outlook The outlook for the full year remains positive and in line with expectations,with additional margin improvement initiatives being actioned to counter theongoing impact of rising raw material costs and the further weakening of thedollar. Non-executive directors Mr Mike Smith will retire from the board on 31 May 2008. As announced lastmonth, Mr Simon Heale will join the board as non-executive director with effectfrom 1 January 2008. Simon has held a number of senior management positions bothin the UK and overseas and is currently Chief Executive of 'China Now.' Interim Announcement Interim results for the half year to 30 November 2007 will be announced onTuesday 29th January 2008. An analysts' presentation will be given at 9:30am on that day at the offices ofJP Morgan Cazenove, 20 Moorgate, London, EC2R 6DA. For further information contact: PZ Cussons Plc Tel: 0161 491 8000 Graham Calder Hogarth Partnership Limited Tel: 020 7357 9477 John Olsen / Sarah MacLeod / Sarah Richardson This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange