Interim Results 2000

SIG plc, Europe’s largest specialist distributor of insulation and related products, today reports record interim results with sales and operating profit ahead in all its main businesses.

Group sales increased 12% to £447m (1999: £399m)

• Operating profits before amortisation of goodwill up 17% at £23.3m (1999: £19.8m)
• Profit before tax was up by 15% to £21.6m (1999: £18.7m)
• Earnings per share rose by 16% to 12.4p (1999: 10.7 p) Interim dividend of 3.4p (1999: 3.1p) declared, an increase of 10%
• Continued recovery in Germany
• Market share gained in all principal markets
• Five small bolt-on acquisitions made in the period

Barrie Cottingham, Chairman of SIG, commenting on the results and group prospects, said: “Our performance in the first half has demonstrated once again our capacity to grow in challenging markets. Trading since June has been encouraging and we are confident that the Group will continue to make progress in the second half of 2000 and beyond.”

Enquiries:
Bill Forrester
Chief Executive,
SIG plc
today 020 7251 3801

Frank Prust
Finance Director
SIG plc
thereafter 0114 285 6300

Rupert Younger/ Faeth Finnemore
Finsbury
020 7251 3801