Umeco plc, ("Umeco"), Europe`s leading provider of value-added distribution services to the aerospace and defence industries, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2000.

>> Turnover up 84% to £72.9 million (1999: £39.7 million)

>> Profits before taxation and goodwill amortisation up 35% to £4.7 million (1999: £3.5 million)

>> Earnings per share excluding goodwill amortisation up 14% to 16.7 pence (1999: 14.6 pence)

>> Interim dividend increased by 8% to 3.25 pence per share (1999: 3.0 pence)

Clive Snowdon, Umeco's Chief Executive said:

In the past six months we have made significant progress towards our objective of providing a global value-added service to our aerospace and defence customers. We expanded in both the European and American markets with the acquisition of Richmond Aircraft Products in the USA and our proposed investment in Titanox Aerospace in France. We have also continued to benefit from the consolidation and outsourcing trends seen across the aerospace industry worldwide.

"We are actively seeking further acquisitions, whilst also ensuring that we have the right executives in place to manage our rapid expansion.

"Our strong customer base and the facilities and expertise we now offer give me great confidence in our continued growth."